Japan has seen an uptick in whistleblowers alleging unacceptable behavior by senior local government officials, particularly sexual harassment and a form of bullying known in Japan as power harassment.

However, more support and protections are needed for those who come forward because it can still cost them their job, if not their lives.

A whistleblower who accused Hyogo Governor Motohiko Saito of bullying and accepting bribes was found dead in July, apparently from suicide. The man had been suspended from his job in retaliation for speaking up.

The man worked for the prefectural government. In March, he contacted the media with allegations against Saito. The following month he reported them formally using the prefecture’s internal hotline.

Saito rejected the allegations as unfounded. He identified the whistleblower and suspended him for three months, even though investigations into Saito’s alleged misconduct had begun and were incomplete.

The allegations against the governor are currently under investigation by the prefectural assembly.

SUCCESSES SEEN ELSEWHERE

In separate cases this spring, three local leaders resigned after being accused of sexual harassment and bullying their subordinates.

Third-party investigative committees upheld allegations against Ginan Mayor Hideo Kojima and Ikeda Mayor Kazuo Okazaki, both from Gifu Prefecture, and Mayor Kenji Imata of Togo, Aichi Prefecture.

In June, the municipal assembly of Miyawaka, Fukuoka Prefecture, acknowledged bullying...

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