Central Japan mayor to quit after 99 confirmed sexual harassment incidents

GINAN, Gifu -- The mayor of this central Japan town on Feb. 28 announced his intention to resign after an investigative committee confirmed he had sexually harassed female staff at least 99 times.

Ginan, Gifu Prefecture, Mayor Hideo Kojima, 74, is expected to submit his letter of resignation as early as Feb. 29, and leave his post on March 5.

Allegations he had sexually harassed municipal workers first emerged in an article in the Shukan Bunshun weekly magazine. A third-party investigative committee was established to look into the mayor's conduct, and it submitted its report to the town on Feb. 27. The committee strongly suggested that "there is no choice other than (the mayor's) immediate resignation."

According to the report, the 99 instances of sexual harassment of numerous female employees included acts potentially constituting forced indecent assault, such as touching their breasts or buttocks. The report further acknowledged harassment of female town councilors, including touching their buttocks.

The committee also investigated whether Kojima had bullied staff, and found that he had committed daily acts of intimidation including threats of disciplinary action, demotion or termination without logical reasons. In a survey of employees who had interacted with the mayor, over 80% reported having been sexually harassed or bullied.

Evidence for the allegations included recordings of conversations with Kojima and testimonies from eyewitnesses to the harassment.

In response to the report, Kojima had initially categorically denied any sexual harassment of female councilors, telling the Mainichi Shimbun that the allegations were "one-sided, merely the staff members' claims at face value, and unacceptable."

However, at a Feb. 28 press conference, Kojima stated, "I have caused a lot of trouble, and I apologize." Concerning the report, he added, "There are parts where I am not convinced of the grounds for the sexual harassment claims, but I must submit to its conclusions."

Asked why he did not change his behavior toward staff even after he had been chided by his then deputy mayor, Kojima said, "We're of the same generation, and I laughed it off."

(Japanese original by Keisuke Ota, Gifu Bureau)