TOKYO (TR) – Tokyo MK, a prominent Tokyo-based taxi operator, on Wednesday issued a public apology after its owner was caught throwing chairs and hurling verbal abuse at employees who failed a surprise English vocabulary test, reports TV Asahi (Sep. 2).
The apology came after weekly magazine Shukan Shincho reported that the company’s owner, Yoo Chang Wan, had engaged in the workplace harassment.
According to the company, Yoo visited a branch office in the capital’s Minato Ward on the morning of August 13. During the visit, the volatile boss went into a rage, tossing chairs and repeatedly shouting at more than 10 employees.
The trigger for the outburst was a pop quiz. Tokyo MK has been providing English lessons to its staff for roughly a decade to better serve the influx of foreign tourists. However, when Yoo suddenly tested the employees on English vocabulary and they were unable to answer, he lost his temper.
“We deeply apologize for causing a great deal of concern and trouble,” Tokyo MK Representative Director Kyomi Matsubara said regarding the power harassment incident.
Yoo, who has a documented history of violent behavior, reportedly admitted to the abuse during an internal hearing, simply stating, “I am very sorry.”
In a bid to prevent a recurrence of the workplace violence, the company announced it has officially banned the owner from setting foot inside its branch offices.
