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Japanese Female TV Host Says Station Turned Her Sexual Harassment Into Content
The woman alleges the station not only tolerated the harassment but turned it into fodder for local broadcast.
By Saki Toi
A former freelance TV host is taking one of Japan’s regional broadcasters to court. She alleges years of ignored sexual harassment on set. Worse, she says her harassment was broadcast for other people’s amusement. Her lawsuit further exposes the power imbalances and outdated industry norms that continue to shape Japan’s television industry.
Allegation: Years of sexual harassment were laughed off and aired to the public
A freelance TV host filed a lawsuit on June 6 with the Tokyo District Court against Ai Television. The TV station is a TBS affiliate based in Matsuyama City, Ehime Prefecture. She seeks about 41 million yen in damages. She alleges sexual harassment during filming and broadcasting, and the company’s failure to prevent or stop it.
According to the lawsuit, she worked as a host on an independently produced variety show aired by Ai Television. The show ran for…
