Former governor of Fukui is held responsible for sexual harassment of female employees, report finds

A special investigation commission confirmed that Tatsuji Sugimoto, former governor of the prefecture of Fukui, in Japão, committed sexual harassment against several female employees. The conclusion was formalized in a detailed report, released after months of investigation, consolidating the accusations that led to his resignation in December of the previous year.

The investigation was initiated after messages with inappropriate content sent by the politician to public servants became public. The document presented by lawyers and members of the commission at the city hall of Fukui serves as a basis for future administrative measures and reinforces the seriousness of the former governor’s conduct during the exercise of his public functions.

The evidence analyzed is made up of a vast volume of digital communications, which reveal a pattern of inappropriate behavior over more than a decade. The case generated wide repercussions on the local political scene and raised debates about safety and respect in the workplace in the Japanese public service.

In-depth analysis of communications

The investigation team thoroughly examined around a thousand messages exchanged through the LINE application and private emails, sent by Sugimoto to various servers since 2007. The material collected was decisive in characterizing the conduct as sexual harassment, ruling out the possibility of casual or misinterpreted interactions. The analysis focused not only on the explicit content, but also on the frequency, time of sending and the power relationship between the sender and the recipients.

The period investigated covers different phases of Sugimoto’s career, including his work as director of the general affairs department and, later, as a cabinet advisor. The commission highlighted that the continuity of messages over the years, even with changes in positions, was an aggravating factor. Esse systematic behavior demonstrated that it was not an isolated episode, but a recurring practice, which exploited its position of authority to intimidate and embarrass employees.

Inappropriate content of messages

The report released by the special commission included excerpts from the communications to illustrate the nature of the harassment, although it preserved the victims’ identities to protect them from further exposure. The transcripts reveal a pattern of advances with a sexual connotation, with phrases that demonstrated a personal interest that went far beyond professional limits. Mensagens such as “When I think about you, my body heats up”, “I just want to hug you” and “I want to kiss you” were common and often accompanied by suggestive emojis, such as hearts, intensifying the intimate and inappropriate nature of the approaches. On several occasions, the communications evolved into direct references to the women’s physiques or used even more explicit language, configuring a clear violation of the employees’ personal and professional space. The repetition of this pattern with different employees over the years indicated deliberate and conscious conduct on the part of the then public manager.

Psychological pressure and fear of retaliation

Messages were sent at different times, including during working hours, on holidays and late at night, creating an environment of constant surveillance and pressure for servers. Essa invasion of personal time made it difficult for victims to disconnect from harassment, even outside the workplace.

The dynamics imposed by Sugimoto generated a cycle of intimidation. Caso employees did not respond promptly or tried to dodge his questions, he would send new messages with a demanding tone, such as “you’re ignoring me again” or “you’re cold”, which increased the pressure for them to stay in touch.

The reports collected by the investigation committee reveal that the victims felt a deep fear of suffering professional retaliation, such as the loss of their job, if they displeased their superior. Esse paralyzing fear was one of the main reasons why the harassment went on for so long without a formal report.

From initial denial to late recognition

Initially, when the accusations came to light in November last year, Tatsuji Sugimoto tried to minimize the seriousness of his actions. At a press conference called to announce his resignation, he classified the messages as “jokes” and “light comments”, denying the intention to harass.

However, faced with the volume and content of the evidence compiled by the commission, the former governor changed his stance. Ele publicly admitted the nature of his conduct, stating, “Looking back now, I realize it was sexual harassment.”

Interestingly, the messages he sent over the years already contained evidence that he was aware of the inadequacy of his actions. Frases as “That’s sexual harassment, isn’t it?” and “Wouldn’t sexual harassment make you angry?” were found in the communications, showing that he himself named his conduct.

One of the employees even confronted him directly about the harassment, expressing her indignation. Embora although he apologized at the time, the server continued to receive similar messages, which demonstrated the persistence of the abusive behavior, even after being warned.

Consequences for servers

The victims reported to investigators that the damage caused by Sugimoto’s conduct still persists. The psychological impact resulting from the continuous pressure and violation of their privacy left deep scars, affecting both the personal and professional lives of these women.

The working environment at Fukui city hall was directly affected, generating a climate of distrust and insecurity. The release of the report is seen as an important step towards accountability and restoring a safe and respectful work environment.

Institutional measures to combat harassment

The city hall of Fukui, through the commission, stated its commitment to implementing more rigorous measures to curb harassment practices. Raising awareness on the topic and strengthening safe and confidential reporting channels are seen as priorities to prevent new occurrences.

Promoting a culture of zero tolerance to any form of harassment is fundamental to the integrity of the public service. Holding perpetrators accountable and providing full support to victims are essential pillars to ensure that civil servants can perform their duties in an environment free from intimidation and abuse of power.

Career of Tatsuji Sugimoto

Before becoming governor, Tatsuji Sugimoto built a long career in public service, holding several leadership positions that gave him authority over a large number of employees, including victims of harassment.