Panasonic unit says it will promptly demote sexual harassment offenders

How long will the demotions last? In Japanese corporate scandals, the salary cut or suspension punishments often seem harsh but then usually at the very end of the news article it says something "effective for 3 months."

not firing them.... just demoting them.... lollll,

It's a good start. Remember, Japan has issues with not understanding the cause and effect of sexual harassment. So this step is one in the right direction. How long will it take until total understanding occurs? Not sure. However I for one happily admire how Japan is becoming aware of this issue after thousands and thousands of cases have transpired over the decades. Thank you Panasonic Connect for taking charge of this cause. Let's hope for the best...

I would be curious about how they define sexual harassment, and if they are taking steps to eliminate other kinds of sexism, such as holding back women from promotions or firing them for getting pregnant. Sexism is just as pervasive as actual harassment, and just as damaging.

"Sexual harassment is easier to recognize (in Japan) than superiors being generally abusive to people under their management. With many companies grouping various forms of harassment together, the move is well-thought-out, as it captures the specific characteristics of sexual harassment," said Murasaki

Define the "specific characteristics of sexual harassment here" . I would also say that your assumption about it being easier to recognize is off the mark as well, seeing as how that without any specific guidelines or definitions what a "supervisor" may see as harassment may not be what the person being harassed is feeling or experiencing.

Oh and just "recognizing" it isnt enough, getting coworkers to call it out will be a huge hurdle as well. Who is going to want to rat out their coworker, when it could come back on them as well.

I would be curious about how they define sexual harassment, and if they are taking steps to eliminate other kinds of sexism, such as holding back women from promotions or firing them for getting pregnant. Sexism is just as pervasive as actual harassment, and just as damaging.

This is two different problems you are attempting to wrap into one. Sexism is not going to be eliminated by setting sexual harassment policies, nor vice versa either.

Sexism, in the examples you gave here, are HRO problems, harassment is a company wide problem.

Not to mention that many women themselves are going to have to educate themselves as to being able to identify what defines "harassment". From personal experience I have seen far too many women here who dont know nor seem to openly care.

How they prove it is sexual harassment at all, they'll act based on somewhat report even those report false? Like report that being created by Japanese who doesn't like their foreigner neighbor ?

How they prove it is sexual harassment at all, they'll act based on somewhat report even those report false?

They do this thing called investigation, where they ask the relevant people a bunch of questions to sort out what happened, cross-referencing things and looking for consistencies and inconsistencies, to try to determine what happened.

They do this thing called investigation, where they ask the relevant people a bunch of questions to sort out what happened, cross-referencing things and looking for consistencies and inconsistencies, to try to determine what happened.

That's in ideal world, in Japan when complain is accepted the subject of that report just being assume guilty, even if there is an "investigation" it just bunch of people who love doing rubber stamp without doing actual work.

Demote? Shouldn’t they be fired?

Japan is hellish for women. It's fortunate that the MeToo movement sheds light on Japan's rampant misogyny.

Good move, Sexual and Power Harassment are two of the major reasons why people leave a job or not even apply for one at certain places.

In other news, half the board of directors and 142 section chiefs enjoyed their first days back on the job as janitors. Panasonic building now spotless.

In most Western nations, sexual harassment usually results in instant dismissal.

So women can still #metoo any guy and get him instantly fired?

Wow, so progressive.

what is sexual harassment definition???

I remember sitting down near a business women to show her documents during a business meeting. other staff called it sexual harassment!!! LOL

Demote? Shouldn’t they be fired?

I agree in most cases of severe sexual harassment cases, but you got to understand that companies will need to establish the characterization of what is considered "a sexual harassment case that will lead to immediate termination" and outline them properly in the company or there will be serious risks that can lead to exploitation within the organization. Imagine if a supervisor one day was in a really good mood for some reason and noticed that you've received a hair cut, they then proceed to compliment the haircut which just slipped out of their mouth because we all make mistakes, but since this is considered sexual harassment nowadays and you have a grudge against this supervisor, you then report the harassment which leads to them getting fired.

outline them properly in the company policy

In most Western nations, sexual harassment usually results in instant dismissal.

Many cases of sexual assault by policemen have come to light recently in the UK. In one case, the perp had raped female police officers. The women in question said they did not report the crimes because they knew nothing would be done about it. That is policewomen not trusting the criminal justice system or police disciplinary procedures.

Sexual harassment is easier to recognize (in Japan) than superiors being generally abusive to people under their management. With many companies grouping various forms of harassment together, the move is well-thought-out, as it captures the specific characteristics of sexual harassment," said Murasaki.

I would call that gibberish for a start.

Applying demotion is always temporary first in my opinion in Japan, as funny comment about janitors above mentioned.

Then with the dire demography and workforce dropping like a stone, HR don't want to shoot themselves apparently.

And the one single case once may open a Pandora's box indeed, by allowing killing a career for one single mistake.

For me, saying a natural compliment shall never come as sexism. It is called caring about others.

The main issue is that most ladies probably won't wish to put into question the ha harmony in their company, and generally in society. Status quo is too important for Japanese and only the daimyo, sorry the CEO, can make real changes.

By the way, it shall not concern only women...

Good move by Panasonic but why isn't it a national law that applies ? And what about justice implementation first ?

CaptDingleheimerToday  09:34 am JST

In other news, half the board of directors and 142 section chiefs enjoyed their first days back on the job as janitors. Panasonic building now spotless.

This is the second comment from you that I've read today on here, CaptDingleheimer, and the second time I've been left in stitches because of it. Great wit, hahaha!

Panasonic unit says it will promptly demote sexual harassment offenders

So how many levels are there?

Pres to VP

VP to Manager?

Manager to mid manager?

mid manager to sub manager?

.................. (various levels and titles)

mail boy to F boy?

F boy to shoe shine boy?

Shoe shine boy to fired?

What is that? Like 69 offenses before they get fired?

Yasuyuki Higuchi, president and CEO of Panasonic Connect Co…….Higuchi, a former president of Microsoft Japan Co, said companies worldwide are taking compliance and diversity seriously, and that Japanese companies must follow suit or lose out in the competition for global talent.

An epiphany deriving from personal experience perhaps?

The Met has announced that a total of 1,633 cases of alleged sexual offences or domestic violence involving 1,071 officers and other staff 

Yes, "not many". The Met is London's police. Just one city in a big country.

My comment was merely an example of the West not being much better than Japan, contrary to what another poster suggested. Sexual harrassment is a big problem worldwide.

Also, what counts as sexual harassment should be defined as clearly as possible.

It's very, very easy.

Think about the action you are about to take. Is it sexual? Is there any possibility whatsoever she may not be receptive to that action? Or do you not know if she would be or not? Then don't do it, it's probably sexual harassment.

So easy, a six year old can figure out it, but it brings 45 year old men to protests.

Sexual harassment is also against males. And the male on male. Female on a female.

Sexual harassment is also against males. And the male on male. Female on a female.

Nope.

Well that's a pretty silly comment. Of course all those things happen, they have all been reported on in various news. It's just not something that happens nearly as much as male to female harassment. But let not pretend it doesn't exist.

Sexual harassment is not just male on female. It may involve most cases but there are others. A female harasses a male colleague who declines then the female turns and accuses the male colleague of sexual harassment.

Most cases involve she says he says.

It can also be a tactic to prevent a colleague from getting a promotion.

That’s only a paper tiger or striking back into own pockets. If those offenders are many , and they are otherwise not that idea, or they would make such behavior all on the same day, then the company goes bankrupt or won’t find quickly enough motivated or skilled replacements. And of course it generates an atmosphere of fear within the company. In fact , if that ruling goes into full practice, men and maybe a few women now have to be completely silent and keeping a big distance to female or male counterpart employees for not getting into any of the countless crosshairs, which is affecting communication and workflow permanently. Even if accusations turn out not true, you had less income and your career is done also because at least doubts remain, or talking about you continues and so on. That’s a toxic workplace, whatever they do now, even if they would take back that rule.

Sexual harassment is also against males. And the male on male. Female on a female.

By dictionary definition you are correct, but here in Japan the overwhelming majority of harassment is male on female, and many times with "females" standing on the sidelines not saying a thing.

Over 75% of Japanese women say they’ve slept with a male coworker: survey

https://japantoday.com/category/features/lifestyle/over-75-percent-of-japanese-women-say-they%E2%80%99ve-slept-with-a-male-coworker-survey?comment-order=popular

A survey conducted by the management and organizational consulting firm Shikigaku, involving 2,204 respondents across Japan aged 20 to 49, found that 34.8% had experienced some form of harassment in the workplace. There was no significant difference in the percentages among women and men, which stood at 35.6% and 34.2%, respectively.

https://www.nippon.com/en/japan-data/h01513/#:~:text=A%20survey%20conducted%20by%20the,of%20harassment%20in%20the%20workplace.

what counts as sexual harassment should be defined as clearly as possible.It's very, very easy.

Think about the action you are about to take. Is it sexual? Is there any possibility whatsoever she may not be receptive to that action? Or do you not know if she would be or not? Then don't do it, it's probably sexual harassment.

So easy, a six year old can figure out it, but it brings 45 year old men to protests.

-3( +1 / -4 )

Heh, I think we all know what kind of people would downvote that comment. (Hint: Those that don't want to be called out for sexually harassing their coworkers)

Anybody still thinking of dating a coworker is committing career suicide.

Not such a new idea. My long deceased mother who grew up during the Great Depression used to advise me "don't dip your pen in the company ink". That was one of her more printable pearls of hard earned wisdom.