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Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe last week declared an official state of emergency in Tokyo, as well as the prefectures of Kanagawa, Chiba, Saitama, Osaka, Hyogo and Fukuoka. Even in other parts of the country, though, the announcement has people on edge and reevaluating the level of caution they should be using in order to stay safe and prevent the transfer of the coronavirus, and Yamagata Prefectural Governor Emiko Yoshimura has asked residents to refrain from traveling outside of the prefecture.
Nevertheless, a 20-something employee of a construction company in Yamagata Prefecture didn’t just refuse to stay home, but went all the way over the border to Sendai, in Miyagi Prefecture, on his day off. Because of that, his manager told him to stay home from work as a precaution against potentially spreading infection to his coworkers and anyone else he could come into contact with along the way. However, the employee ignored the order and showed up at a job site in Yamagata’s Sakata City on April 8.
After the manager, who’s 46 years old, found out, he issued an on-site reprimanded to the younger employee…by punching him in the face and striking him in the head.
Given the importance of social distancing in the current health climate, and the younger man’s repeated refusal to practice it, the manager’s anger is understandable. The police, however, took issue with his actions and placed him under arrest, so it’s probably not a good idea to imitate his high-impact disciplinary style. If nothing else, since we’re not supposed to be touching our own faces during the coronavirus pandemic, putting your knuckles on someone else’s face, especially of you think they might be infected, probably isn’t very good for your health either.
Source: Yomiuri Shimbun via Livedoor News via Jin
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© SoraNews24
45 Comments
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smithinjapan
Charge him for aggravated assault, and name and shame. Probably a yak, though, or a yak-owned sub-contracted company, so nothing will be done.
kohakuebisu
My wife mentioned the yesterday that Yamagata is going to start measuring body temperature of arrivals at the prefecture border. So that's the context in which this has happened.
https://www.kahoku.co.jp/tohokunews/202004/20200412_51027.html
Brian Wheway
1: Giving an order to stop at home, is very sensible. 2: Traveling on a train over the boarder is dam right irresponsible. 3: Punching the employee in the face when you'r suppose to be social distancing and not having any contact with people, is also stupid and irresponsible.
When will people sit up and take notice that this virus is a killer?, especially when you have underlying health problems, the young and elderly are in a higher risk bracket to.
DaDude
Did the boss wear gloves and/or wash his hands after as a precaution?
Toshihiro
I hope that boss gets sick from the coronavirus or anything, he deserves it.
Ah_so
The employee should have been sacked, not punched.
yoshisan88
Both are doing the wrong things at a time when people should act with their common senses.
Leon
Violence should not be tolerated even if it is a superior-subordinate relationship. There are other ways or disciplinary action to handle the employee. Still old style management..
Luddite
Disgraceful. I hope the boss was arrested.
Joe Blow
Yamagata and Miyagi don't play around, that's what's up.
englisc aspyrgend
Understand his ire, but not his management style.
Mocheake
The guy probably wanted some real face time and he got it.
Kazuaki Shimazaki
Well, at least the boss made his stance abundantly clear, and he had tried words first.
gogogo
Yakuza are not immune
talaraedokko
What’s wrong with the kid? Does he think he’s loyal? Cool? Looking for brownie points? Just doesn’t listen?
doggar
Maybe the guy was out of money and needed to work. Can you blame him for trying to make a living?
lostrune2
Next time, just tell the workplace security not to let him in
If it's not his fault but the company orders him to stay home to play it safe than sorry, then the company should provide absence pay
But if he intentionally violates company policy and the company orders him to stay home, then the company should not be required to compensate for his stupidity
(If he has enough money to travel, he has enough money to stay home)
Kobe White Bar Owner
Looks like it can travel 4 meters so a punch is the least of our worries.
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2020/04/11/world/chinese-study-coronavirus-can-travel-4-meters/
Tey Dela Cruz
I'd say good for the boss except the job site seemed to still be open and people there, so the boss would deserve a fist sandwich, too.
AdamP75
I hate to agree with the boss here, but the kid got what was coming to him. On top of the punch to the face, hopefully he ends up with coronavirus so he can fully understand his mistakes
Fighto!
I think most of us can understand the boss' point of view. He is looking out for the safety of his staff, trying to protect them from the the deadly virus, so was furious that this junior worker disrespected his order. Punching him in the face and repeatedly striking him in the head may seem a little strict, but it may have been the only way to get the message across to the dull junior worker.
I think he will receive just a written caution.
serendipitous1
Brian
Traveling on a train over the 'boarder' is actually murder.
Chottobaka
Based on his irresponsible behavior, the employee clearly could not comprehend verbal instructions, thus forcing his boss to communicate in a more direct, more easily comprehended fashion. Brings new meaning to "like a boss".
juminRhee
Did the employer offer paid sick leave? If not, I can understand needing to go to work. How was he supposed to pay his bills? Faerie dust?
kurisupisu
Obviously the boss does not have a way with words....
oldman_13
While I don't condone violence, some people these days especially the younger generation think rules never apply to them and think they can act any way they want (like those Spring Breakers in Florida).
So I can understand why the boss did what he did. Sometimes that is the only way these stubborn and selfish people can get the message across.
half-hearted jumper
Maybe the guy could use the cash he's spending whilst traveling across the country on his day off.
Chip Star
Not a surprise given the ridiculous sempai/kouhai nonsense these people have pounded into them all their lives.
El Rata
Well deserved punch however, the boss should've used a wrench or a bat, you know, for the sake of social distancing.
Young punks think rules don't apply to them .
Star-viking
I don’t suppose anyone has considered why the 20-something worker went to Sendai?
Go back to his home? Many worksites have temporary dorms for workers to sleep in during the working week
Related to that: go back to his family, see his wife and child?
Or: go back to his parents/grandparents and help them out?
Or: go back to see his doctor and/or get a repeat prescription?It doesn’t just have to be “took off to have a good time”.
Do the hustle
So, has the boss been charged with breaking the social distancing ordinance? Yuk! Yuk!
lostrune2
If he had a valid reason, he should had communicated it to his employer because he knew the consequences of such an action
People should have conversations. Not having conversations leads to no cooperation and understanding
Star-viking
Sadly, from personal experience, that is not the way things work here. It would be seen as “trying to bend the rules”, the rules not considering that people have legitimate reasons for crossing prefectural borders, like wanting to return to their family, or care for a loved one.
juminRhee
I'm sure people would feel comfortable telling their boss their itinerary on a daily basis. Big brother...
doggar
El Rata I don't think a "young punk" is going to come to work like a dedicated employee. He was so loyal to the company he disobeyed instructions. He probably needed to work. No work= no money and this is a huge problem for thousands of workers in Japan now.
Why aren't we more angry at the employer? His behavior is the equivalent of locking out the employees.
carpslidy
When the media and politicians spew 24 hours of panic everyday for over 2 months it's hardly surprising people are acting irrationally.
nandakandamanda
While 殴る Naguru (in the J press coverage) is often translated by Japanese people as 'punch', it is actually a wider word, not specific to punch, also containing the 平手 open-hand meaning of 'slap', so here the boss has hit the guy in the face. Not excusing anything, but my image of the incident has changed a little.
Discussion on the exact meaning of Naguru here: https://ajieigo.com/1812.html/
lostrune2
No, just the relevant ones - the ones that could affect work
C'mon guys, gotta be street-smart about these things
There's nuance and gradients, not all-or-nothing
AgentX
Ahhh.. no, it's not. Nor is it illegal at this point in time. Save the melodrama.
Workplace harrassment and assault is, on the other hand, very much illegal.
Gregarro Ivinalititavitch
I hope this starts happening to salarymans who show up to the office. I'd happily have my taxes raised to have the cops do it.
Mike
Chill out guys, it's funny. Don't worry I know it's a serious issue deep down inside, you don't have to tell me that.
Its funny guys just chill out. Relax commentors, we get it..you're law and order and you fight for justice.
Ok..now relax and laugh..it's okay to be facetious.
Mike
I could never have a drink with any of you guys..one offensive joke and you guys would have your panties in a knot before I could say jack Robinson.
I mean sure..I get it, if I were the one being punched I would most likely not appreciate it( until I'd crack jokes about it in a year)...But not a single comment or here cracking a joke about this is frightening.