politics

Top Finance Ministry bureaucrat quits over sexual harassment claims

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@Yubaru

",,,,,when the discussions were between TWO people!" 

Intimate "discussions" eh? I'm curious as to the actual nature of the get-togethers. Journalists must maintain distance from the people they're reporting on, in the interest of fairness and disspassionate analysis. That's called being a professional.

"You really don't understand the nature of Japanese politics..."

At one point in my career, I was paid to write about Japanese politics. What I really don't understand is "the nature of Japanese journalism."

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Are there any third-party corroborating witnesses to the alleged series of off-color remarks Fukuda made? And if not, why?

How can there be any third-party witnesses when the discussions were between TWO people! Your inference here makes it sound that because there wasn't any, he didn't do it, or should not be forced into resigning because there was no corroboration.

You really don't understand the nature of Japanese politics if you think that just because there weren't witnesses people can't get axed.

Oh, maybe you didn't here, he was on tape, so there is no need for a third party witness! While that tape may not be admissible in a court, even here, as to how it was obtained, it's enough to get him fired.

Don't worry so much for him, he'll be fine, he's just got to get used to a life without the "power", that's all!

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Very interesting issues here.

That approach, however, has been criticized by lawmakers and people supporting sexual harassment victims as lacking sensitivity and neutrality.

Exactly what is meant by neutrality, and for whom does neutrality apply?

"When the victim feels like she has suffered sexual harassment, that is what it is.

Not much neutrality there...

If you get accused of sexual harassment, you seem to be done.

Fortunately in this case the reporter seems to have produced a degree of evidence to back her account, but the vast majority of sexual harassment as defined here presumably happens without being recorded, and in many cases I also suspect without the perpetrator realizing it.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Japan's problem saying bureaucrats as they are, should be: Wrong elite people chosen (from the early student time) to be gradually in that position without knowing social or private hardship duties, not interviewing experienced younger (updated) applicants to be chosen. I don't include some guys very smart but with evil minds (only for money) there are many, though...

0 ( +0 / -0 )

That good news to me to see bureaucrats finding their wrong directions, not working for the citizens and following the "strong" government of consolidating systems and ignoring transparency to citizens. Government+bureaucrats together creates damages, as this present time show full of those. Actually, there are much more rotten "get-together" to be disclosed, it would be found with time...Japan to be a real democratic country to be proud of it and be the example to world nations.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

"It's extremely regrettable that our vice finance minister who oversees administrative affairs is stepping down over sexual harassment allegations,"

In the world of old codgers who think women are mere playthings and tools for men's enjoyment, and probably think there is no such thing as sexual harassment, it "extremely regrettable", yes. For the real world, it is a given that he step down, and it is common sense that he should also be charged. But, this is Japan, and people like Aso still cause this nation to rank near the bottom in terms of its treatment and opinion of women.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

does this mean that #metoo is now finally over in Japan ?

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

"In order to build a full picture, the Finance Ministry has been asking female reporters who feel they have been sexually harassed by Fukuda to come forward and contact lawyers the ministry has selected." Seriously!!!

1 ( +1 / -0 )

"In order to build a full picture, the Finance Ministry has been asking female reporters who feel they have been sexually harassed by Fukuda to come forward and contact lawyers the ministry has selected."

Wow...

1 ( +1 / -0 )

The behaviour and actions of Finance Minister Taro Aso, and former education minister Hakubun Shimomura are a travesty of justice.

Vice Finance Minister Junichi Fukuda is a public official, the manner in which these proceedings are being investigated is truly alarming. “Womenomics” is a valueless incoherent soundbite.

To speculate the intention, rational, motive into these serious allegations, and then publicly smear the TV Asahi female reporter accusations as false testimony a frame up is cruel and callous, vile denigration into alleged sexual harassment.

The need for independent judicial inquiry is paramount.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

¥53m golden handshake.

plus pension?

compare with minimum wage of less than 1,000 per hour.

oh my.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Did Aso really seriously suggest that this mysoginistic scumbag might have been framed?

i sincerely hope something was lost in translation.

but I doubt it.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Are there any third-party corroborating witnesses to the alleged series of off-color remarks Fukuda made? And if not, why?

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

TV Asahi's President should be replaced with a woman, 

Making employment decisions based on immutable factors such as sex/gender is discriminatory.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

TV Asahi's President should be replaced with a woman, if that's all he can say about the matter. His reporter was stifled by her superior, and it made total sense for her to take the recording to the magazine.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

Minister Aso's defense of his subordinate Fukuda has eroded public confidence in the ministry.

Pray tell, when has anyone actually HAD any confidence in the ministry?

We deeply regret that we have failed to take appropriate action when one of our employees was sexually harassed," TV Asahi President Gengo Sunami said at a press conference.

Actually you deeply regret that one of your own didn't suck it up and are pissed off that you have to go to the media and apologize for one of your employees not being a Japanese style team player!

5 ( +5 / -0 )

It's extremely regrettable that our vice finance minister who oversees administrative affairs is stepping down over sexual harassment allegations," Aso told reporters after the cabinet approved Fukuda's resignation.

It's extremely regrettable that the vice finance minister is stepping down? Shouldn't you be regretting the fact that your man is facing sexual harassment allegations, you idiot?

There are various views, including one that he was framed," Aso said. "In that sense, we need to protect his human rights so we can't decide (on punishment) unless we hear both sides of the story."

Fine. Go ahead. We're listening. Oh wait. He just resigned without a decent explanation. I wonder why.

Fukuda will not receive retirement benefits, estimated to be around 53 million yen ($487,000), until the ministry decides whether to take disciplinary action against him. If Fukuda is deemed to deserve punishment, the amount will be cut accordingly, Aso said.

IF, and that's a VERY BIG IF, he is found guilty, the amount will be cut by something ridiculous. wow, the guy sexually harasses women and and gets nearly half a million bucks in retirement from us taxpayers?! This is SICK.

Independent journalist Soichiro Tahara said Finance Minister Aso's defense of his subordinate Fukuda has eroded public confidence in the ministry.

Absolutely!!

12 ( +12 / -0 )

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