Harassment and Sexual Harassment

Harassment can happen anywhere and is NEVER okay.

The following is expected of all Japanese Employers:

“Employers shall establish necessary measures in terms of employment management to give advice to workers and cope with problems of workers, and take other necessary measures so that workers they employ do not suffer any disadvantage in their working condition by reason of said workers’ responses to sexual harassment in the workplace, or in their working environments do not suffer any harm due to said sexual harassment.”

(Equal Employment Opportunity Act [EEOA], Section II, Item 1) 2006 Revision.*
*For Items 2 and 3: www.cas.go.jp/ 
PDF: www.cas.go.jp/jp/seisaku/hourei/data/MandW.pdf

CLAIR has provided Contracting Organisations with information on sexual harassment, how to avoid it, and what to do if it occurs.

Additionally, the JET Programme General Information Handbooks has a list of Sexual Harassment Enquiry Centers and Sexual Assault Enquiry and Consultation Centers in Appendix 8 and 9.

The numbers for the centers in Kagoshima are as follows:

  • Kagoshima Sexual Harassment Inquiry Center
    099-223-8239
  • Kagoshima Sexual Assault Inquiry/ Consultation Center
    Tuesday – Saturday 10:00 – 16:00 (except for National Holidays and the year-end New Year Holidays)
    099-239-8787

Proactive Recommendations

  • Establish boundaries
  • Discuss views of harassment with your supervisor and colleagues as ideas concerning harassment may differ.
  • Ask your supervisor to clarify any existing policies.
  • Establish at least one particularly strong relationship in your office for when you need to address a problem and need someone on your side.
  • Be aware of those around you, especially when alcohol is involved.

Situational Measures

  • Tell the person to stop
    yamete kudasai – やめてください
  • Show you are offended
  • Move away or make others aware of your discomfort
  • If in public:
    Head to your nearest Koban.

Help & Support

  • Do not blame yourself
  • Seek help and support from your supervisor, colleagues, friends, family, etc.
  • Make use of the counselling resources.

Your personal safety is of utmost importance. If you ever feel unsafe, threatened, or harassed, do not hesitate to seek help. Depending on the situation, contact the police, your direct supervisor, the prefectural advisors or embassy as soon as possible.

Police (keisatsu / 警察) 110
Ambulance (kyuukyuusha / 救急車) 119
Fire (shoubousha / 消防車) 119
From green pay phones: Lift the receiver, push the red emergency button, and dial.
From grey pay phones: Lift the receiver and dial.