Nagoya art univ. operator veils sexual harassment report, cites president’s ‘human rights’

NAGOYA — The operator of Nagoya University of the Arts has refused a request from its faculty union to release an investigative report on multiple female students’ allegations of sexual harassment by the university president, saying, “A perpetrator’s human rights must be protected too,” sources close to the institution have disclosed.

The operator, educational corporation Nagoya Jiyu Gakuin, is also reportedly refusing to provide students with an explanation over the allegations leveled at president Naohiko Kishi on the same grounds.

After receiving a report from an investigative committee that it set up to probe the sexual harassment allegations, the educational corporation concluded in March, “It cannot be accepted that any harassment warranting punishment took place.” However, the Mainichi Shimbun learned that the report stated that some of the actions toward students “could be considered sexual harassment” and were “inappropriate.” Students have made multiple requests to the university’s operator for an explanation and to release the report, but it is not complying.

Sources close to the institution said that the faculty union’s requests for workplace improvement this school year include releasing the report on the sexual harassment allegations to students, reporting on the matter in good faith and taking strict measures. It also requested that teaching staff and students who report “something wrong” not be put at a disadvantage. During collective bargaining between June and August this year, the union further questioned the educational corporation’s stance.

The union took issue with the fact that the investigative committee Nagoya Jiyu Gakuin set up consisted of four internal members including a senior member of the educational corporation in addition to two external lawyers. It stated, “If the judgment is made entirely by internal members, it will of course be lenient,” and requested that an investigative committee consisting entirely of third-party members be set up.

Sources familiar with the matter said that in response to the union’s request, the educational corporation replied, “A perpetrator’s human rights have to be protected too,” “We’re under no obligation to release the report,” and, “The students are not willing to engage in dialogue.”

Regarding the school corporation’s reference to the human rights of a perpetrator, one union official angrily remarked, “This is a strange statement to protect the organization. We want a response that takes a square look at the victimized students.” The official further stated, “The teaching staff are doing their best for the students to make it a good university, but if the president and others take that kind of attitude, the image of the university will go down and it could affect student recruitment.”

When the Mainichi Shimbun approached the educational corporation for comment, it said, “The person in charge is not available, so we cannot answer.”

(Japanese original by Shinichiro Kawase, Nagoya News Department)