>>> Item number 7924 from WRITERS LOG9302A --- (73 records) ------ <<< Date: Fri, 5 Feb 1993 15:08:10 JST Reply-To: WRITERS Sender: WRITERS From: Mike Barker Subject: Sexual Harassment? In Japan? (Part 1) [I'm having some trouble maintaining a serious demeanor. I do apologize if anyone is offended, but I'm cheering for the ladies. May have had one battle fizzle out in the rain, but the war isn't over yet!] In the wake of Rie-chan and Takahanada-san's breakup, the media here last night revealed the opening day (Feb. 4) in the first court case in Japan for sexual harassment. (Sorry, I didn't catch all the details this time, but I'm sure there will be more reports. Here's what I did get.) The case involves a thirty-six year old manager and a young (early twenties, I think) woman in the same company. He took her along with him on a "sales visit" in a car. During the ride, he apparently tried to stop at a "love hotel" (we have these in many places. The easiest way to identify one is by the sign, which lists one hour about twenty-eight dollars, three hours about thirty-five dollars, and usually has no daily price shown.) He also touched her several times, and kissed her. She finally got out of the car and returned to the office. This much seems clear at this point. Following this incident, according to her, she was sharply criticized at work and told that she was not performing adequately. Last June, she quit. Sometime after that, she filed the case which has just started. Her lawyer, a woman, during the first day produced several other women from the company as witnesses. All testified to caresses, breast grabbing, and similar incidents in the office from this manager. In what I saw, her lawyer seemed content to simply present the evidence without embellishment. His lawyer, a man, presented several points. First, as testified to by the manager, she agreed to go to the love hotel, and she wanted to be caressed and kissed. Second, she is a known woman of bad character, with a reputation for (ahem, euphemistically) "loose morals." Third, she is lying. Fourth, she did poorly at work and this is just her way of getting back at the manager. He stressed the first three points. Aside from the manager himself, there did not appear to be other witnesses on this side in the reports I saw. (personal rant here... Is my logic failing me or are there inherent incompatibilities among these points? E.g., how can you admit to doing something on the basis of mutual desire at the same time that you say it's all a lie? Even considered individually, these arguments... The woman tempted me? Adam did that one, and still got kicked out. A little character intimidation, "it's all a lie", and this is just a vengeful attack? Gee, these arguments sound familiar - didn't we try this story in America a few times before? I thought it rather poor comedy then, and it doesn't seem to have improved in this rerun. Maybe it's supposed to be a tragedy? Too many cliches for my tastes, either way. now back to the main story...) The commentators indicated that while this is the first such court case here, "many" women in Japan have stated that they may file similar cases, depending on the outcome of this one. This observer wonders, vaguely, if the collective management of Japan is going to have a remarkable increase in stress-related illnesses, and even a rash of sudden emergencies brought on by holding their breath waiting for the outcome of this case. (they just won't stay in the kitchen, even if you do hide their shoes, sah! cultural reporter's suggestions? Surrender now and avoid the rush, sah! Oh, and sah, watch those hands! Salute, sah, salute! It's safer.) mike