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High court rejects paternity harassment allegations by Canadian man

105 Comments
By YURI KAGEYAMA

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It also criticized Wood for taking his case public instead of quietly resolving the dispute with the company

The judges know they have to side with the money interests but they don't want to be forced to make these rulings publicly, showing how corrupt they are.

71 ( +82 / -11 )

The Tokyo District Court … also criticized Wood for taking his case public instead of quietly resolving the dispute with the company,

Here we see the Japanese judge inappropriately preaching to the foreigner instead of ruling on the merits of the case.

Foreign plaintiffs are often disadvantaged by Japanese judges, who often desire to “teach” the foreigner how he /she should behave in Japan — even if the foreigner has resided in the country for over 30 years, as Mr. Wood has.

76 ( +91 / -15 )

The company’s acts were “inevitable.” I imagine the court was inadvertently speaking truthfully on this point. Certainly with some management and some companies harassment and termination is indeed the inevitable outcome of putting family first.

37 ( +50 / -13 )

The claim seems clear enough to prove the harassement, that the court rejected this speaks a lot about the problem that plagues the country, it is not only the companies that are in the wrong, the courts are also in complicity.

Next time an article explore why the Japanese population is shrinking this incident should be also mentioned as an example of how parental responsibilities are seen as something negative, so it is natural that people choone not to be a parent instead of being only a lousy one.

52 ( +66 / -14 )

Don't give up.

It's what they WANT you to do.

47 ( +55 / -8 )

this case isn't as clear cut as this story makes it out to be. he took extended leave, not just paternity leave, for his child. and when he finally decides, on his own terms, to return to work, he expects everything to be the same. well, sorry, dude. i don't see your company demoting you as harassment. an employer expects certain duties from their employees, and when you failed to live up to your end of the bargain, that's what happens.

-9 ( +28 / -37 )

Nice bit of victim blaming in the court decision, the maturity level of the legal system is outstanding….if we were living in 1930.

36 ( +49 / -13 )

Mr Wood prioritized his family above the company... A dangerous step that needed to be stopped by his employers. Yes you have the "right" to parental leave but don't even think about taking it. Sadly this is all too common in Japan.

39 ( +58 / -19 )

A predictable outcome from a nation with inhumane and medieval system rules which tend to protect only the corporation above the single citizen.

Mr.Wood comes from a country that outshine this one by lightyears in many fields like social and human rights,I wonder why he didn’t make a life there.

Japan will never change.

33 ( +49 / -16 )

Only the plaintiff’s views are presented here, We need to hear from the defendant. Maybe the Canadian was dismissed for lousy performance.

-22 ( +16 / -38 )

Old mentality:

Company 1st,

Drinking with boss 2nd,

Golf with boss 3rd,

Drinking with co-workers 4th,

Family 5th,

Ones hobby 6th.

29 ( +40 / -11 )

I'm of two minds here. On the one hand, this case clearly demonstrates that Japan is out of step with most Western countries.

But in the other hand, we all knew this when we came here. If I took so much time off from my job, I would expect to be demoted, harassed or whatever word you want to use (shunned?) I expect that my colleagues would consider my actions to be unfair, since, as Japanese, they would never do so.

Like it or not, this is a part of the culture at present. Maybe it will change in a generation? But I'm not holding my breath. And I'm not complaining about it either. This is what I accepted when I signed the contract. And I really do like coming to work.

-7 ( +21 / -28 )

And this is exactly why I’m self-employed. Worked for a Japanese firm before, got badly burned and deeply learned from that mistake would never work for any Japanese company again and now I’m much happier now and never have to worry about Japanese workplace and business politics again.

33 ( +43 / -10 )

Bravo to him for bringing attention to this subject. Japan’s old mentality is resulting with nobody wanting to have babies in this country. These old companies work culture doesn’t benefit anyone, unhappy employees, inefficient productivity.

26 ( +34 / -8 )

Things are not clear:

His son was born prematurely and he rushed to see him though the company told him to just keep working, according to the lawsuit.

I at first thought they stopped him on the day the child was born but then read 2015 and he didn't return until 2016.

Too many details missing was he in Japan that whole year or gone back to Canada?

OK, I was a single father for years, got fired multiple times including one because my son (chronic health problem) was rushed from school to the hospital for emergency surgery and I was told "the teacher is with him, you don't need to go" yes ( note person saying that was an Australian woman in a foreign owned company) .

Now for that part people will not like.

Japan is famous for poor working conditions, if you come here expecting the sweet deals like back home, you poorly researched before coming,

You do not pay the insanely high taxes like in Canada, so don't expect the same assistance.

I had a very hard time as a single father with a chronicly I'll child but it was my choice to have children the company didn't ask or tell me to, so honestly it is my problem not theirs.

He didn't check things properly before coming to Japan, any fool would have told him was the situation was going to be like.

I have seen far too many westerners (mostly white) arrive here with this strange idea the rules they lived under back home apply here.

They don't,

Do your research before moving to another country for work or living.

-1 ( +29 / -30 )

“Standing up for parental rights is actually a gift that I’ve been given. And I’m happy to do that, not only for Japan but for the world,” he said.

Good for him. Reminds me of the French man that went on a hunger strike at Sendagaya Station last year. He was standing up for the parental right to see his children that had been abducted by his Japanese wife.

24 ( +30 / -6 )

Yes. We know this is Japan but we do not need to accept their twisted work place rules and regulations as we are not Japanese and as humans have our own rights to do what we deem fit. Japan may not change its old rules but we together can force change.

22 ( +32 / -10 )

Did not the company were the first to bring this to public attention by dismissing Woods. It was keep in house until the dismissal event. What very stupid statement by the courts. Appeal would have be the only option.

17 ( +21 / -4 )

you have no idea how cruel and perverse Japanese judges are. lie and hypothesis are in their DNA. btw do not trust your japanese lawyer, he is the perfect tatemae traitor!

Do not give up and alert more media!!! the world needs to see how the Japanese system is a joke and unhuman!

13 ( +26 / -13 )

what a "demokrashi Japan"...

0 ( +15 / -15 )

Yes. We know this is Japan but we do not need to accept their twisted work place rules and regulations as we are not Japanese

Ah the privileged!

Actually you do need to accept them, if the Japanese don't like them then they can change them.

It always boggels my mind,

Westerners complain when immigrants ask for change in their countries but think when they come here they can demand change.

-9 ( +18 / -27 )

I think he knows he has zero chance of success with Japans justice system, but I think that’s the point he is trying to make and it’s making news and placing shame on both the work ethics of Japanese companies and a bias justice system. Work for a company in Japan…you must be joking!

18 ( +25 / -7 )

japan's culture is based on harassment, . you should see how many women claim sexual harassment in labor inspection. nobody cares !!!

11 ( +21 / -10 )

This is a deeply stupid (and I use that word purposely) ruling by the court. Others have pointed that out so I’ll go in a different direction.

Mitsubishi UFJ made a really BAD decision here.

Reputational risk - that’s what is at stake here. There is a fair amount of labor mobility in the investment banking industry. Banks need a steady stream of experienced professionals (not the newbies - until they learn, they’re expensive go-fors) to replace people they lose to attrition. I cannot imagine a family man or woman choosing to go there mid-career if they have ANY other choice.

Ask UFJ just how much they wish this had never come to light. I bet (off the record of course) they would admit that they wish they could make this go away ASAP. But it’s out there and it’s not going away.

I would bet (some) money that this policy change came from Morgan Stanley 100%.

21 ( +25 / -4 )

The Tokyo District Court ruled against Wood in 2020, also criticized Wood for taking his case public instead of quietly resolving the dispute with the company,

they defame and insult carlos ghosn on TV for months and now the court is criticizing mr Wood to speak on TV, what a JOKE!!!

19 ( +30 / -11 )

And yet I personally am friends with a couple, both of whom are enjoying a full year of paternity leave complete with full salary and benefits. Did I mention they are both public servants…..?

11 ( +16 / -5 )

It defended the company’s acts as “inevitable.”

This says everything about Japan and its workers rights.......paternity leave, as maternity leave is and annual leave is, is enshrined in Labour laws in Japan. BUT exercising those rights is another matter.....typical Japan. Ticky-box policies from a ticky-box government that resides over a ticky-box culture. Where giving the perception of doing something holds more sway than actually doing something

17 ( +22 / -5 )

The company rejected Wood's request for parental leave. His son was born prematurely and he rushed to see him though the company told him to just keep working, according to the lawsuit.

In a 21-page ruling, the Tokyo High Court rejected the harassment claims. It defended the company’s acts as “inevitable.”

The cold hearted bastards.

18 ( +23 / -5 )

Sam Watters

Today 08:34 am JST

And yet I personally am friends with a couple, both of whom are enjoying a full year of paternity leave complete with full salary and benefits. Did I mention they are both public servants…..?

In Japan?

Where?

My ex-wife's family is full of " public servants" ( it is like a family business) ( national government).

Never heard of a year off, women 6 months, until now men zero.

As if October 2022 men will get 4 weeks and the rules are complicated.

3 ( +12 / -9 )

Japan is like China, where the thin skin people in charge cannot allow any criticism. The Confucian culture of obedience needs to be chipped away to allow a channel of voice. Don’t be like China.

13 ( +21 / -8 )

Ah the privileged!

Actually you do need to accept them, if the Japanese don't like them then they can change them.

It always boggels my mind,

Westerners complain when immigrants ask for change in their countries but think when they come here they can demand change.

except that's not true. We don't need to ACCEPT them, as a democratic society, we have the right of complaint. We have to WORK with them until change is effected. But change doesn't happen until people start to complain and mobilise against incumbent rule. So you can sit back and enjoy the fruits of the complainers labour all you want, but I will continue to complain against stupid, archaic and downright wrong rules and regulations here just as much as I would if I were back in my home country.

14 ( +22 / -8 )

"Yes. We know this is Japan but we do not need to accept their twisted work place rules and regulations as we are not Japanese"

WOW!!!

Are the Japanese restraining foreigners from leaving?!

-8 ( +16 / -24 )

except that's not true. We don't need to ACCEPT them, as a democratic society,

You a citizen? No?

Then you really have no vote (literally) on this.

And watch the outrage when the next wave of immigrants in. UK, Canada, Australia EU start asking to change things based on their beliefs, etc....

-8 ( +12 / -20 )

21-page ruling is very small!, I swear they removed many facts to biase the judgment!

-1 ( +5 / -6 )

Paternity harassment

Maternity harassment

They can't say it in a more obvious way can they?

"Please don't have kids!"

8 ( +16 / -8 )

There is an injustice here, but it rests with his lawyer. His lawyer failed to advise him that 'constructive discharge' is impossible to prove in Japan, or as a minimum that the concept does not exist.

Harassment is a component of constructive discharge but it's treated more like pestering harassment (eg sexual) in Japan.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constructive_dismissal

I wish Mr Wood luck, but don't like his chances. He's done the right thing by going public, but he didn't stick around long enough to secure evidence to prove an unfair dismissal case against his employer. Read up on Toshiba Olympus and Michael Woodford, lots of sufferings but he stuck around and won.

7 ( +10 / -3 )

That Mitsubishi UFJ Morgan Stanley made changes to it's policies after he was dismissed does not exonerate them from their prior actions.

That the Court criticized Wood for taking his case public instead of quietly resolving the dispute with the company, shows clear bias as the Company could easily have resolved the dispute quietly as well, rather than leaving him no alternative but Court action.

I hope Glen Wood takes this to the Supreme Court and garners global attention. The Company has mismanaged this issue and smeared themselves.

13 ( +18 / -5 )

Some bosses expect you to kiss their feet and work for free, but god help you if you ask for time off, sick days ect. westerners will get the shock of their lives when they start to work here. This is one of many many examples, like it was mentioned above don't think that even if you work western boss or for a western company here that you will get the same work rights LOL, nope they exploit you to the max.

4 ( +11 / -7 )

My coworkers do take some parental leave.

They just manie sure to announce it clearly and have the official go from the company.

Do not know the whole story here, but for sure , in a Japanese Company, it is never good to force the way

-2 ( +4 / -6 )

@Antiquesaving

You do not pay the insanely high taxes like in Canada , so don't expect the same assistance

Do your research

Well... i just did my research and just as i expected you are completely incorrect as usual.

list of countries by personal income tax rate -

Ivory Coast - 60

Finland - 56·95

Japan - 55·97

Canada - 33

As you can see Japan has the third highest income rate in the world

I suggest that your proclivity to make ambiguous sensational comments be remedied by using a little more research.

8 ( +17 / -9 )

It also criticized Wood for taking his case public instead of quietly resolving the dispute with the company

Like the car company and a certain fugitive of the “law” living in Lebanon?

They also could’ve kept things quiet, but they chose to publicly humiliate and confine in jail a man accused of misdeeds, (guilty till proven innocent) that another Japanese person in the firm was also accused of, but “quietly” dealt with...

Harassing for taking parental leave?

Pfffft.

These judges work hand in glove with Japan Inc.

Good, the Canadian wants to make a point, and he has-

Fairness is relative, here.

Go and do thee likewise.

7 ( +13 / -6 )

Kyo wa heiwa dayo ne

Today 09:09 am JST

Try again, you forgot, provincial and all the extras.

I know unlike you I am Canadian.

I know what my family and I were paying in Canada and what it is here.

1 ( +9 / -8 )

Are there any popular websites in Japan in which employees review anonymously their employer? It might be kind of useful for those that have certain conditions that they have such as how the company treats employees taking paternity leave and so on.

7 ( +8 / -1 )

Boycott Mitsubishi UFJ Morgan Stanley

-2 ( +5 / -7 )

do not expect judges to stop Mitsubishi , this company feeds them since their birth!!!

0 ( +5 / -5 )

Kyo wa heiwa dayo ne

Today 09:09 am JST

You should always be careful when you google.

Now you look up stuff without context as usual.

In Canada according to the latest study by the Frazer institute, the average combined provincial/ federal income tax paid in Canada is 42.5%.

In Japan that same national/city is in reality 33% on average.

Japan has a far higher maximum and on paper a higher tax rate but in reality the take home percentage is far higher.

Why do you think so many jump at the chance to come work here like this guy did.

If he took home more in Canada why would he bother taking a job on Japan!

10 ( +16 / -6 )

this case isn't as clear cut as this story makes it out to be. he took extended leave, not just paternity leave, for his child. and when he finally decides, on his own terms, to return to work, he expects everything to be the same. well, sorry, dude. 

this is one reason why government jobs are so desirable, there are clear entitlements set by the government that workers are entitled to.

My J brother in law works for the government, and he takes every entitlement that hes allowed, even if other workers complain about it. He took maternity leave for both of his kids, takes all his annual leave hes entitled too as set by the law. theres a few co workers that hit him up about it, for which he firmly replies Im entitled to it just like you, if you wont take it then that's your fault. Hes even questioned his boss about withholding pay rises to their staff, which is actually illegal, pay rise went through shortly after. Hes not a trouble maker hes a worker rights keeper, sort of an unofficial union rep. He knows the law well and he acts according to what the law states. He cant be sacked unless he does something illegal, which he never does. Even his boss is respectful of him and doesnt try and pee him off, unless he knows hes wrong, which is rarely.

The whole point is know your worker rights and stand up for them, this is far more difficult if you work for a private company. There are still a few that dont like him because hes got nads and stands up for himself, but the majority of them do like him because they know hes actually standing up for their worker rights also

17 ( +18 / -1 )

Amazing Japan! Child-friendly and family-friendly nation!

-2 ( +5 / -7 )

As if one of the most biased legal organisations in the world are going to side with the plaintiff!! Japanese legal system like the work place relations look good.on paper but in reality they are no better than 3 world! Can't even take all of the annual 20 days paid leave, as if paternity leave is going to get a look in!

5 ( +13 / -8 )

@wtfjapan

Japan needs more workers like your BIL.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

It also criticized Wood for taking his case public instead of quietly resolving the dispute with the company

This is just idiotic coming from a court of law. So when you are the victim of harassment you are supposed to quietly try to make the perpetrator stop, rather than potentially embarrassing them by telling the public about it?

Everything is about protecting the perpetrator then?

9 ( +12 / -3 )

I took 6 weeks prior and 8 weeks after the child birth and those were fully

paid.

For up to a year after that 8 weeks, workers get 65% of their base salary

(first 6 months) and 50% of base salary until the child's first birthday

(and I got that as well) during their childcare leave.

And men are qualifies to this same childcare leave with pay (the money

actually comes from the government/tax, it isn't the company's

responsibility to pay, it is the government).

So, clearly, the system is set up, and it is the company's fault for not

allowing the system to be used by their employee(s).

Men are supposed to be awarded childcare leave until the child's first

birthday.

The problem is that companies are not mandated to allow their employees

take advantage of this system while majority of government workers (to

include teachers, police officers, city office workers, etc) can take the

time off with pay.

Companies try to make financial profit while government offices are not. 

Rather than punishing one company, Japan should mandate all commercial

companies to follow the system because it is the central government's

responsibility to enforce the law.

8 ( +9 / -1 )

@Antiquesaving. Tomakomai, Hokkaido.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Shame on MUFJ MS, Japanese companies like MUFJ are old fashioned They can't deal with this because traditionally, employees at Japanese companies can't even take vacation without feeling guilty....herd mentality. Employee rights are not a priority and work until you drop is still prevalent. I am sure Morgan Stanley had a more US minded view until they merged under the MUFJ umbrella with the old Japanese mentality.

Fortunately I have been working for only foreign multinational firms and never had a bad experience. Japanese labor laws are draconian and have heard "not so good" stories from my Japanese friends at Japanese companies....take lunch only at noon and hardly any work life balance. Fortunately some progressive firms are changing their ways but the old school blue chip Japanese companies are still living in the past.

Japanese companies are trying to be Global....well, then start with employee rights and set new rules. Afterall, family is most important not the other way around which is still the mindset of some traditional Japanese companies.

Take care the employee and the feeling will be reciprocal!!!

5 ( +8 / -3 )

good luck man with your fight!

3 ( +7 / -4 )

@indigo

-the world needs to see how the Japanese system is a joke and unhuman!

Completely agreed. I hate how Japan's system and philosophy works in favor of corporation or government in so many ways. especially at work. Harassment is so normalized here they don't even realize they are violating human rights. This country is still infested with the old BS idea that people exists to serve for people at the top. Japan is patriarchal society and a company is like pseudo-family because of lifetime employment system, they think they can do anything to you and it's very narcissistic. I don't know why he stayed in Japan for decades but if I were him I'd be already long out of this country and get much better job with better work environment in other country.

2 ( +6 / -4 )

Why is he bothering to go to the Supreme Court?

Less than 0.5% of Japanese people have heard about this case, and even fewer care about it.

The Supreme Court will only back what the lower court ruled.

Also, way to make a good impression with his choice of dress code for a visit to a high court!

-6 ( +4 / -10 )

@Antiquesaving

Your absolutely correct that in Japan your actually paying even more tax for everything than you did in Canada but unfortunately your too naive to realize it.

Don't forget to include the exchange rates and inflation / deflation blah blah !

-3 ( +4 / -7 )

The Tokyo District Court ruled against Wood in 2020, saying it did not find “reasonable grounds” for believing there was harassment. It also criticized Wood for taking his case public instead of quietly resolving the dispute with the company, which has made some changes to its parental leave policies since Wood’s dismissal.

wow the Tokyo court criticizing Wood for taking this public! and saying this is not harassment! unbelievable!

7 ( +12 / -5 )

What did he expect ? It’s Japan.

i have done extremely well here financially but I’m stuck here. I would rather live in at least 5 other countries. Life happens when your busy making other plans

-3 ( +6 / -9 )

Weiteren like that the trading company made a terrible mistake. Paternity leave or not if the child was born premature they should have given him 2 days leave in any case in the spot. The guy might have had open trades ecc so leaving quickly might not have been an option but once trees settled just let him go. As for the paternity leave payment, don’t know jakan but in most countries it’s paid by the government through the employer so I really don’t understand why they didn’t give it to him. Said that, we are talking banks and bankers….. two words come to mind after 2008….. pure greed ….

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Good on him for trying to change, or at least expose, a bad system (and company). I'm sure he's not naive enough to expect a big payout, but he's still trying to make a stand for what he believes in.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

it clear that the trading company made a terrible mistake. Paternity leave or not if the child was born premature they should have given him 2 days leave in any case on the spot. The guy might have had open trades ecc so leaving quickly might not have been an option but once those trades were settled just let him go…… As for the paternity leave payment, don’t know japan but in most countries it’s paid by the government through the employer so I really don’t understand why they didn’t give it to him. Said that, we are talking banks and bankers….. two words come to mind after 2008….. pure greed ….

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

Wood's is a rare case, for Japan, of a father seeking to take parental leave.

It’s so rare that one of my friends has taken a year off to help the mother of his child.

Believing Japanese regurgitation of Japan this, Japan that, is chilling in the 21st century.

I rue the blinkered glacial mindset that pervades society here.

If it weren’t for onsens I would have left years ago.

-2 ( +3 / -5 )

Exactly, we're talking banks and stock traders here, the guys who love money above all else, don't expect much in the way of human rights from them.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

Remember that movie line; "TIA"?

Well, "T I J"... don't give up buddy.

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

I used to work here for one of the 3 mega banks. One of my colleagues asked and obtained an 8 months paternity leave. As long as I know there was no real issue even though the management was very surprised. Maybe the fact that he is a high performer helped because they obviously want to keep him for the long term.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Several years ago a Japanese friend of mine took paternity leave as was allowed under company policy. I recall that he told me he faced a lot of push-back from his collogues.

To his credit, he stood his ground, told them to perform an impossible act and took the leave.

I think the difference is that he was working for the Japanese subsidiary of a Western pharmaceutical firm.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

While I sympathize with Mr Wood, I believe he should try the attitude of when in Rome, do as the Romans do. None of my Japanese colleagues took paternity leave more than 3 days regardless of any situations. If Mr Wood wish to lead a life culture like in his own country, he should go home and raise his family there.

-8 ( +4 / -12 )

it clear that the trading company made a terrible mistake. Paternity leave or not if the child was born premature they should have given him 2 days leave in any case on the spot.

The article is lacking in information.

A-) was the child born in Japan or Canada.

If in Japan I am sure he was offered a few days off, if Canada then a few days would only permit a flight home and back if even that.

But the article is fairly clear, he decided to unilaterally take a year off.

Now I get the new world, Mon and dad, or mom and mom or dad and dad or non binary and non binary (I hope I haven't left anyone out.) Are important to raising a child but this whole concept of both parents not working for a year and companies having to just hold their spot is a bit over the top.

Now John and Jane both take a year, so their companies hire replacements in a year replacements fire because John and Jane now return.

Who wants a job where they know they are going to be fired!

Then there are the HR costs, you want a kid? Well that is your choice why should we have to pay for it.

And yes I have 2 raised them ony own lost jobs because of it.

Welcome to the real world.

No wonder certain countries are rapidly catching up and surpassing the West!

-1 ( +3 / -4 )

Antiquesaving - 

I said in my earlier post but both men and women are allowed to take up to 1

year childcare leave until the child's 1st birthday.

Now, this is what Japanese government saying.

Companies often prioritize financial profit and don't want people to take

full advantage of the governmental system, and this creates problems.

In his case, he clearly left Japan (for a year) without officially receiving

a yes from the employer and his case was rather unique because the

child/mother were in Canada while he was in Japan.

I saw in a different article that he is/was a single father, so while he

lived in Japan, the mother of the child delivered the baby in Canada.

He heard the news that the baby was born prematurely (otherwise he probably

had planned to travel back to Canada for the delivery) and so he did not

have much time to discuss the situation to give his employer enough time to

cover his absence.

Have you ever heard of the term "temp hire", I assume you have.... and

companies should train people to be able to cover each other in case of

emergency, and when the emergency becomes an extended absence, a temp hire,

or negotiations on how to being him back to the office.

The employer clearly lacked flexibility to allow him to take care of the

family matter while managing the absence - and maybe from both sides, there

were communication problems.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

He's wasting his time. He will never win. He's not Japanese and this isn't his country. Why he wants to make such a big deal about paternity leave is beyond me. It's done and over with and his kid is already 6 years old now. Give it a rest and lose the stress.

-10 ( +4 / -14 )

We must also remember that Japan has a declining birthrate and there is still the macho philosophy that a woman should look after the child.

Well, these days are different from the seventies when salaries were high and women didn’t need to supplement the family budget.

It takes two to properly raise children and keep a household and Japanese companies need to realise this!

-6 ( +0 / -6 )

Hate to say it but as a gaijin, he will never win this case. The government barely cares about Japanese male citizens getting and taking paternity leave. This guy, being a foreigner even though he's spent years in Japan, doesn't have a leg to stand on. Better he take his skills, experiences, and his family elsewhere where he'll be treated decently.

-5 ( +0 / -5 )

Western Company: "Your son was just born prematurely????? Why are you still at work?

Japanese Company: "Your son was just born prematurely????? Get back to work!

3 ( +8 / -5 )

How's that saying go again? Oh yeah, "That's Japan." They like letting gaijin know that there are two sets of rules.

-4 ( +1 / -5 )

Inspector gadget comments....Hit the nail right on the head!

I am Japanese and also American and to add to what I posted earlier, this is not about being Japanese or Gaijin. It is about the company culture and policies and who cares what others are doing. If you feel just in taking time off then do it and escalate it, and if you get push back then not the company you would want to work for.....I worked for 3 major global investment banks and fortunately never had an issue, same for my Japanese and gaijin colleagues. If leadership is supportive then you are in luck!

4 ( +5 / -1 )

Fighto! I think in order for him to win respect from the judges and higher courts he needs to never give up, never surrender! Kesshite kōfuku shinai! However, the judges probably have the same mindset.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

Story is missing a lot of critical details.

such as kid being born outside of Japan In another Asian county to someone not married to. Plus, didn’t come back to Japan for like 5 months later.

still, an empathetic company could have worked something out.

3 ( +6 / -3 )

Glen Woods is a hero. Win or lose, making a point of both shared mother-father responsibilities and against harassing parents (during a fertility crisis no less) is something that benefits us all.

-5 ( +1 / -6 )

You never hear defense pleading by a defendant in this kind of hot topics, Mitsubishi UFJ Morgan Stanley in this case. That is how all these things are reported these days. Paternity leave was given when he provided his own DNA results, before that, he had not had any proofs

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

BlacklabelToday  03:26 pm JST

Story is missing a lot of critical details.

such as kid being born outside of Japan In another Asian county to someone not married to. Plus, didn’t come back to Japan for like 5 months later.

still, an empathetic company could have worked something out.

Well said. That is IT. She went to Nepal and gave a birth and she/he didn't have maternal handbook which was required for the leave as one of the rules at the firm where he worked for such a long time. He is now a single father.

-4 ( +1 / -5 )

Media really freewheelingly reports in their way skipping every minute critical info but doesn't have to own up to reputational damage suffered by the ones attacked.

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

I am sympathetic to his plight, I really am.

But if you are going to leave Japan for 5 months to go look after your child you had with a girlfriend, maybe you should just quit your job?

its a bit much to expect to just leave the country without approval, expect to get paid for the whole time you didnt work, plus get your job back that someone else did while you were gone?

-3 ( +3 / -6 )

You gotta love how on top of the protection of poor company practice they criticize the Canadian for “not keeping it quiet”. TIJ

-3 ( +5 / -8 )

On the surface this seems like a simple case of Japan being cruel.

I thought so too on an initial read but there is a lot to this story that is not being told.

This is one of those special times where a lot more relevant information is revealed in the comments section.

1 ( +5 / -4 )

The Japanese race is doomed if we think the way we have always thought, which is so archaic. There are not enough babies in Japan. We need more babies, and with these stupid oyaji run companies around (and government, legal system.... you name it, it's oyaji), there is no incentive to have babies. Japan is a corrupt, sinking ship, that's about to be set fire by the farts of rotting zombies in power. I hope he has a prosperous future with his family, because you only get one life. I respect him!

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

It would add a bit of context if we knew why the child was born is Nepal.

Why isn't this info in the article?

Pretty unusual in my opinion.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

So let me see if I've got this. The right to paternity leave is enshrined in Japanese law. Employee takes paternity leave, company harasses him (seems like the evidence for that is pretty conclusive, so not in dispute here), employee takes the company to court for not giving him his legal rights, court rules it is 'inevitable' that the company deny him his legal rights. Mmkaaaay, now I understand. It does sound absolutely inevitable that a court would strike down a right enshrined in law. Why would anyone think otherwise? After all, what are laws for? And the problem here is the employee asking a court to uphold his legal rights. Perish the thought!

2 ( +3 / -1 )

I sympathize with Wood-san and reflect that when my children were born, I was on holiday from a rather cushy job. Life is indeed unfair. Japanese courts tend to resist anything smacking of legislation from the bench. They keep their noses to the legal grindstone. We see that clearly in the plight of fathers whose children have been abducted by their ex-wives. Sometimes a long legal fight is unavoidable, but sometimes one has to keep one’s head low and quietly make a deal.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

On the surface this seems like a simple case of Japan being cruel.

I thought so too on an initial read but there is a lot to this story that is not being told.

Yes.

This is one of those special times where a lot more relevant information is revealed in the comments section.

No Posters don't care at all

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

You wouldn't give a birth just in days, Obviously he ignored the rule of the firm he had worked for.

Seems much more stories than just being discussed here

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

The Japanese race is doomed if we think the way we have always thought, which is so archaic. There are not enough babies in Japan. We need more babies, and with these stupid oyaji run companies around (and government, legal system.... you name it, it's oyaji), there is no incentive to have babies. Japan is a corrupt, sinking ship, that's about to be set fire by the farts of rotting zombies in power. I hope he has a prosperous future with his family, because you only get one life. I respect him!

Japan needing more babies has absolutely nothing to do with this case。

-5 ( +1 / -6 )

Have you ever heard of the term "temp hire", I assume you have.... and

You mean legalized abuse?

Yes and 90% of those I have known, met, worked with that were "Haken" were trying anything and everything to be hired full time, with benefits etc .

So what you are basically saying is these people get their paternity benefits on the backs of low paid temp staff.

Ok that seems fair (sarcasm for those that didn get it).

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Is there a Glen Wood site that we can all visit?

Could someone provide a link?

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Where are people getting this "Japanese law has the right to paternity" thing?

As far as I have found the law only takes effect in November 2022 and only permits 4 weeks for the father.

And the mother

Duration of maternity leave

Guaranteed maternity leave in Japan covers a period of 6 weeks prior to the expected birth date to 8 weeks after giving birth. If the employee desires to return to work earlier than 8 weeks, it is possible, but requires submitting an approval by a medical doctor

https://www.ipmu.jp/en/page/dbbb4775-1008-4deb-8d7d-8766e5d8c9f8#:~:text=Guaranteed%20maternity%20leave%20in%20Japan,approval%20by%20a%20medical%20doctor.

At the time of this 2015 all he could take was 7 days special leave.

If someone could point to a link where there is 12 months leave for fathers in Japan in 2015!

At that time the mother could take up to 6 or 12 months unpaid, not the father.

Also the. Rules are for Japan and require letters from the doctor.

If the child was born outside Japan, then they are not paying into the Japanese system for her and are not entitled to certain things.

If you don't know how it works.

He pays the national/company healthcare payments based on dependants, if his wife is not a resident of Japan then she is not under his insurance.

So he pays less monthly premiums but the counter is that certain services and privileges are not available to him/his wife.

I have see this before, the 5 year deal foreigner not wanting to pay into the Japanese healthcare system avoiding higher payments by not putting their dependents on ( usually use some cheap travel emergency only insurance, then when something goes really bad they get all upset because the don't get full service.

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

InspectorGadget

Today 02:49 pm JST

Western Company: "Your son was just born prematurely????? Why are you still at work?

> Japanese Company: "Your son was just born prematurely????? Get back to work!

More like western company "quick find a cheap desparate foreign worker we can abuse until his/her return from leave!

That when they return, ship the temp back to the country they hired him from.

Or if he really works out and if far cheaper, find a reason to fire the person soon after they return from leave and keep the temp staff at a third of the cost no benefits.

-5 ( +1 / -6 )

Anti; he was not dismiss when he returned. It does not say in the article why he was dismiss. But isn't for taking 12 month parental leave, Because you just would text him come to work or your dismiss after a month or so. They allow him come back to work if you could call work place harassment normal working condition. Mitsu use some other lame excuse after he wouldn't go The Japanese peacefully way. They hope after a few week of. work place bulling he pull the pin. No this bloke hang in there until they dismiss him. In the Tokyo courts, they found he couldn't prove work place harassment so because he brought this suit to trial. It not up to Mitsu to prove why he was dismiss. It all bull if you ask me. If he had gone with discrimination for dismissal cause by taken workplace entitlements. That would work better for him.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

* *It also criticized Wood for taking his case public instead of quietly resolving the dispute with the company

There's no winning if the court is unjust, that's why we are pushing for COMPLETE OVERHAUL of Japan's INJUSTICE system.

1 ( +4 / -3 )

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