A female prosecutor in Japan has called for a third-party committee to investigate harassment among prosecution staff nationwide after alleging sexual assault by a senior colleague. She submitted a written request to the Justice Ministry on Monday and stated she would resign if the requested measures are not implemented by the end of March.
Kentaro Kitagawa, 66, the former head of the Osaka District Public Prosecutors Office, was charged in July 2024 with sexually assaulting a female prosecutor at his home in Osaka in September 2018. He admitted to the allegation during the first court hearing in October 2024 but later pleaded not guilty, with the trial ongoing.
The prosecutor filed a damages suit last month at the Osaka District Court against the state, Kitagawa, and others related to the assault. On Monday, she visited the Justice Ministry and submitted a written request to the justice minister and prosecutor-general, calling for a third-party committee to conduct a fact-finding survey on harassment among all prosecution staff nationwide and to implement measures preventing secondary victimization.
At a subsequent news conference, she stated, "I hope that investigations will be conducted in a way that guarantees anonymity to eliminate those who engage in harassment."
The case has highlighted concerns over internal harassment within Japan's prosecution service, prompting calls for independent third-party scrutiny. The outcome of Kitagawa's trial remains a focal point.
