Sexual Harassment at Workplace

Abstract

With the rise of the #MeToo movement, there has been a growing discussion about women being sexually harassed and in particular, by people of position and power. Despite the traction it has gained in the United States and European regions (West), the movement is not as prominent in Asian countries^[1]. In this paper, we would be looking at the Japanese society and how the judiciary system deals with sexual harassment and assault in the workplace, as well as the underlying ethical reasons that perpetuate the silence of victims of sexual harassment and assault in the workplace.

Sexual Harassment at work, a study of Japan

In Japan, there is a strong ‘face’ culture, as with many Asian countries, this result in women who have been sexually harassed or assaulted to tend to not publicize and report such incidences due to the many repercussions it has on the image of both themselves and their assailant. This is attributed to assorted reasons, mainly due to cultural aspects, as well as the lack of legal framework and support for women at risk.

Women in Japan are expected to be non-assertive, passive, submissive and patient. These values have been ingrained in women from a youthful age, being reflected in the traditional family system – ie, and various folktales^[2].The society values harmony and cooperation amongst all its members^[3]. Thus, the society is generally hostile towards victims who share their story, expressing hostility, anger and aggression towards their assailant as they are violating the harmony that exist on the surface. Further exacerbating the situation, there is an absence of a support system for victims^[4]. Japanese women often dole out the harshest comments, such as how victims have embarrassed the female populations and how they support the alleged attacker instead, due to the public accusation^[5].

To these women, their actions are deemed to be ethically sound, as they believe that as independent and moral agents, victims should and would act in a way that is morally permissible, where they would protect and maximise their self-interest, thus prevent themselves from getting sexually assaulted in the workplace. Thus, when victims publicize such incidents, they are seen to be pushing the blame to the assailant, and not taking any responsibility for their (mis)actions.

Internalised misogyny is present in many Japanese woman^[6], evident in how many shame the victim, minimizing their value and their words, instead of believing what the victims have to say. This is due to their belief that humans are innately good, and that bad things, in this case sexual harassment and assault only happen to bad, or rather immoral individuals. Due to the victim’s immorality, they perceive that all actions of victims are immoral, and that testimony is of falsehood. This further exacerbates the issue, resulting in victims being more unwilling to share their stories of sexual harassment and assault out of rational fear of being hurt by the community.