EHIME (TR) – A freelance announcer who appeared on a variety show for a television station in Ehime Prefecture filed a sexual harassment lawsuit against the broadcaster on Friday, reports Fuji News Network (June 6).
According to the lawsuit, the woman appeared as a host on an independently produced variety show that aired on iTV for about six years from April 2016. She is seeking around 41.1 million yen in damages due to the mental distress she suffered.
She claims that the TV station did not deal with the sexual harassment she experienced on the show. During the recording of the show, she was subjected to sexual remarks and obscene acts by two regular cast members, a celebrity and a monk. However, these acts were tolerated, according to the lawsuit.
Furthermore, the content was not deleted from the broadcast. Instead, the company edited the videos with subtitles that described her as “good in bed” and “sadistic,” thereby tarnishing her image violating her reputation on public airwaves, the lawsuit said.
Situation did not improve
The woman said she had requested the show’s producers to improve the situation multiple times, but the situation did not improve. As a result, the stress led to insomnia, overeating, vomiting and sudden hearing loss.
The woman said, “The staff always laughed out loud at the lewd, dirty jokes and persistent sexual teasing of cast members. Even when their dresses were removed, the filming continued. This took a toll on both my body and mind.”
She went on, “Female freelance announcers in rural areas are in a weak position and have no choice but to suppress themselves and endure. I sincerely hope that through this lawsuit I can regain the dignity that was stolen from me and that the industry’s customs will be improved.”
When reached for comment, iTV said, “As soon as we receive the complaint, we will carefully examine the contents and consider how to respond.”
The woman filed a complaint about this program with the Broadcasting Ethics and Program Improvement Organization (BPO) in 2022. However, the organization ruled that “no human rights violations were found to have occurred.”
