TV Asahi reporter sexually harassed by top finance bureaucrat

April 19, 2018

Tokyo- Japan's TV Asahi Corp. said Thursday that one of its female reporters was a victim of the alleged sexual harassment by Vice Finance Minister Junichi Fukuda, who tendered his resignation the previous day.

TV Asahi plans to lodge a protest with the Finance Ministry, Hiroshi Shinozuka, director and head of the company's news bureau, told a press conference held in the small hours.

The Shukan Shincho weekly magazine reported that Fukuda repeatedly made sexual harassment remarks to female journalists during meetings and released online what it claims is audio recording of Fukuda's sexually explicit conversations.

On Wednesday evening, Fukuda announced his resignation, citing difficulty continuing his duties after the scandal came to light. But he denied the sexual harassment allegations and expressed his intention to bring the matter to court.

Fukuda reiterated his claims Thursday morning, after TV Asahi's announcement.

Shinozuka admitted that the reporter in question was interviewed by the weekly. "It was inappropriate and regrettable that she gave the information she obtained through interviews to a third party," he said.

According to the broadcaster, the reporter dined alone with Fukuda several times from about one and a half years ago for news gathering. As Fukuda made sexually explicit remarks every time, the reporter started recording their conversations to protect herself.

The reporter told her boss that TV Asahi should report the matter. But the boss said that doing so would be difficult, expressing concern that the reporter could be identified and suffer secondary victimization.

Worrying that acts of sexual harassment will be let to continue if she does nothing, the reporter contacted the weekly, got interviewed and provided part of the recording.

"We deeply regret that we could not respond appropriately even though we had information about sexual harassment," Shinozuka said.

The reporter came forward to speak about the matter to the broadcaster on Monday. While expressing regret over Fukuda's denial of having made the sexually explicit remarks, the reporter said she feels sorry for having provided the information to the weekly.

Speaking to reporters Thursday morning, Fukuda said he still does not think his behavior constituted sexual harassment, adding that the disclosed recording contains only part of the conversations.

Asked why he has to resign if he is innocent as he claims, Fukuda reiterated that he will quit because it has become difficult to perform his duties. Jiji Press