Japanese high school administrator accused of power intimidation against staffers

KUMAMOTO – Four employees of a private high school in this southwestern Japanese city announced Oct. 11 that members of the company that runs the school were harassed by senior officials.

According to the announcement, a senior official of the school organization Chinzei Gakuen, which operates Chinzei High School in Kumamoto’s Chuo Ward, belittled a 57-year-old former head coach of the school’s baseball club in front of his colleagues, dismissing his leadership . policy in May 2022 stating, “There is no way we can give money to a baseball team that can’t win.”

The former head coach filed a damages case against the senior official in the Kumamoto District Court, but lost. He has appealed the verdict to a higher court.

The former head coach developed an adjustment disorder and other problems and has been on leave since February 2023. He filed for workers’ compensation with the Kumamoto Labor Standards Inspection Bureau in August, and his case was recognized as work-related in September 2024. But even after he recovered from his ailments and wanted to return to work, he was apparently ordered to extend his leave and stay home.

In addition, a 62-year-old administrative employee of the school company, who prepared documents related to the former head coach’s application for workers’ compensation and recognition of human rights violations, claims that he was subjected to oppressive interrogations by senior officials of the school company. , and that he was ordered to transfer to another department.

On October 11, the former head coach and administrative staffer attended a press conference along with others, including a 51-year-old teacher responsible for improving the working environment within the school. The female teacher told reporters: “The school company currently has no self-cleaning function.”

The school body, meanwhile, stated: “We will refrain from commenting as some issues are pending in court.”

(Japanese original by Kenji Noro, Kumamoto Bureau)