TOKYO -- The Tokyo District Court on Oct. 24 ordered a social welfare corporation and its former chairman to pay a total of 6.6 million yen (approx. $43,500) in damages to two former workers after ruling that the chairman sexually abused them for years.

The two victims had sought damages of around 52 million yen ($342,000) from Glow, a social welfare corporation known for its progressive approach to art by those with disabilities, based in the west Japan city of Omihachiman, Shiga Prefecture, and its former chairman Kengou Kitaoka, 66.

According to the court's decision, between 2012 and 2019 Kitaoka repeatedly sexually abused a 45-year-old plaintiff who worked for Glow's predecessor organization by groping her breasts or buttocks, and sending her obscene emails. He was further found to have spent time with her at a hotel when the woman was naked from the waist up without her clear consent.

Additionally, on two occasions between 2014 and 2015, Kitaoka was found to have sexually assaulted a 36-year-old plaintiff who had worked for Glow, including by tossing the woman onto a bed at a hotel and licking her chest, among other acts. The court rejected Kitaoka's denials of these acts.

The plaintiffs' legal team argued that the three-year statute of limitations on the right to claim damages from such abuse didn't apply as victims of sex crimes involving a relationship of power cannot make their cases for long periods of time. The court did not agree, however, and accordingly granted restitution to the 45-year-old victim alone on this point.

At the same time, Glow was found to lack both anti-harassment measures targeting the leadership and prevention training, and was deemed to have violated its duty to consider the safety of employees. The court accordingly ordered the organization to pay 4.4 million yen ($29,000) to the 36-year-old former employee. At a press conference following the ruling, this plaintiff said she was "relieved that sexual violence and harassment were recognized." However, she felt that the court's limiting of damages according to the three-year legal limit was inadequate.

Kitaoka's legal representative indicated no plans to offer comment. A Glow representative said the group would release a statement on its website in the coming days.

Glow operates welfare service offices for people with disabilities within Shiga Prefecture, among other operations. Kitaoka had worked as a member of the welfare ministry's social security council subcommittee for persons with disabilities. He resigned after the allegations surfaced.

(Japanese original by Aya Shiota, Lifestyle, Science & Environment News Department)