"Do Not Attend Meeting" Repeated Memo Abuse... Japanese Teacher Drives Fellow Teacher to Death

Japanese Male Teacher Who Sent Abusive Memos and Letters to Colleague Teacher
Victim Teacher Ultimately Took Extreme Action
Perpetrator Disciplined with 3-Month Suspension

A male teacher in Japan continuously harassed a female teacher, ultimately leading to her taking an extreme step. However, the male teacher only received a three-month suspension, sparking controversy over the 'lenient punishment.'

Recently, Japanese media outlet Fuji News Network (FNN) reported that Mr. A (59), a male teacher working at a school in Miyagi Prefecture, engaged in "power harassment" against a female teacher in her 30s, Ms. B, for five months from June to October 2020, which eventually led to Ms. B's extreme decision. "Power harassment" is a Japanese term, often shortened to "pawahara," referring to a superior abusing their position to harass subordinates in the workplace.

On June 2, 2020, during a school meeting, Mr. A reportedly persistently pressured Ms. B in a confrontational manner. Later, upon realizing that Ms. B was avoiding him, he expressed his dissatisfaction by leaving letters on her desk. Although the principal instructed him to stop sending letters or notes, Mr. A did not comply. The letters and notes included content that appeared to criticize Ms. B.

In particular, on October 22 of the same year, Mr. A left a letter on Ms. B's desk telling her "not to attend meetings." Ms. B did not show up at school the next day, October 23, and it is presumed that she took her own life on that day. It is reported that Mr. A sent at least ten notes and two letters to Ms. B.

It was only on the 2nd, about three years and four months after Ms. B's extreme decision, that the Miyagi Prefectural Board of Education announced the disciplinary action against Mr. A. Yasuhiko Sato, the prefectural superintendent of education, said, "I cannot bear the heartbreaking feeling of losing a precious staff member. I sincerely apologize to the bereaved family." He added, "Not only was there a lack of awareness and understanding regarding workplace harassment among staff, but the organizational response was also inadequate. We will take measures to prevent such regrettable incidents from recurring."

However, the disciplinary action against Mr. A was reportedly only a "three-month suspension." In response to criticism that the punishment was too lenient, the prefectural board of education stated, "We followed the disciplinary standards of other prefectures. We took the outcome of the extreme decision seriously in our judgment. We consider this a reasonable disciplinary action." Mr. A is expected to return to the educational field after the suspension period ends.

Japanese netizens reacted with comments such as, "Mr. A should quit the school immediately. It is dangerous for someone like him to educate students. He does not deserve to stand in the classroom," "It took three years to issue a three-month suspension?" and "This is truly regrettable. If Mr. A returns to teaching, more victims may emerge."

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This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.