OSAKA (TR) – Osaka City plans to file a lawsuit against a local man for “customer harassment,” alleging he severely obstructed municipal business by making more than 600 abusive complaints to city staff over a three-year period, reports the Asahi Shimbun (Sep. 15).
According to the city government, the man bombarded multiple departments with frequent phone calls and in-person visits from May 20923 until this past June. His relentless complaints largely centered on minor issues, such as alleged dirt and defective equipment at public sports facilities.
During the more than 600 encounters, the man repeatedly demanded formal apologies and explanations from city workers. In some instances, he hurled verbal abuse at employees, allegedly threatening them by asking, “Should I push this to the bitter end?”
The municipal government has now submitted a proposal to the city assembly seeking approximately 400,000 yen in damages from the man. The figure was calculated based on the salary equivalent for the hours city employees were forced to spend dealing with his harassment.
“In cases that are too extreme, we have no choice but to move to the next step,” Osaka mayor Hideyuki Yokoyama said regarding the unprecedented legal action.
Pending approval of the proposal by the city assembly, the Osaka government intends to formally file the lawsuit as early as next month.
