Former governor in Japan sent 1,000 sexually harassing texts to staff: Investigative report

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A former governor in Japan allegedly sent more than 1,000 inappropriate text messages to staff.

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION: PIXABAY

FUKUI, Japan – Mr Tatsuji Sugimoto, who stepped down in December as governor of Fukui Prefecture in central Japan over sexual harassment, had sent some 1,000 harassing texts to staff, an investigative report by lawyers said on Jan 7.

Among the messages were those in which Mr Sugimoto sought sexual relationships with multiple female staff and commented on their physical appearance. He also touched female staff members’ bodies several times, according to the report, which was based on a survey of around 6,000 employees.

“The feeling of victimisation was extremely severe,” the report said, describing his responsibility as “grave”. It said his actions could have violated the anti-stalking law or constituted the crime of non-consensual indecency.

Mr Kenji Kawai, one of three lawyers appointed by the Fukui prefectural government to investigate the case, told a press conference that Mr Sugimoto had carried out acts of harassment for around 20 years, even before he was first elected Fukui governor in 2019.

After joining one of the predecessors of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, Mr Sugimoto intermittently took posts in Fukui, serving as head of the general affairs department at the Fukui prefectural government in 2004 and a vice-governor in 2013.

Mr Sugimoto, 63, sent sexual texts such as “I want to kiss you” and “I have an irresistible urge to hug you” to at least four female staff. He warned them not to reveal the texts to other people, telling them: “Keep it