Satomi, a 25-year-old employee at Tokyo-based cosmetics company D-Up, endured power harassment from the president of the company. She later developed depression, attempted suicide, and never regained consciousness.
The Tokyo District Court has now ruled that the president’s harassment led to her death, in a rare decision that holds a company leader directly accountable. The company issued a formal apology and agreed to pay 150 million yen.
Content warning: This article contains discussions of suicide.
Harassment, depression, and the silent struggles that preceded Satomi’s death
According to the family’s lawyer, Satomi joined the cosmetics company D-Up (ディー・アップ) in April 2021. Six months later, she was assigned to the sales department. In December that year, she had a conflict with her supervisor, so the company told her to meet with the president.
During the meeting, which lasted about 50 minutes, the president scolded her, saying, “Stop mocking grown-ups” and “Go home, you’re on leave.” He also insulted her, saying, “You’re like a stray dog.”
That night, after returning home, Satomi told her parents, “The president called me a stray dog. I’m sorry. If I’m a stray dog, that means Mom and Dad are also being called stray dogs.”
After facing power harassment at work, Satomi was diagnosed with depression in January 2022 and went on leave.
According to Satomi’s parents and sister, at home, she often cried, but she tried to stay cheerful around her family. At times, she sent messages to her sister on LINE, writing, “I’m mentally exhausted” and “For now, I’m just staying still.” Her sister said, “She wasn’t the type to talk about her struggles. It was the first time she did. I believe her symptoms were severe.”
When the six-month leave ended, the company treated her as if she had resigned.
In August 2022, Satomi attempted suicide at home. She survived but never regained consciousness. In October the following year, she died at the age of 25.
Court: D-Up harassment led to suicide
In May last year, the Labor Standards Inspection Office ruled that the president’s conduct was power harassment. It also recognized a link between Satomi’s depression and her death, and certified the case as work-related. In May this year, the company offered a settlement that included an apology. The court case then moved into mediation.
Her parents filed a lawsuit, claiming the president’s harassment caused her death. They demanded damages from the company and the president. On September 9, the Tokyo District Court ruled that the company admitted the president’s harassment led to Satomi’s suicide. The company issued a formal apology and agreed to pay 150 million yen. The ruling also included an unusual condition: the president must resign. According to the company, President Sakai Mitsuru stepped down on September 10.
The family reacts; the company apologizes
After the court’s decision, Satomi’s father said, “No matter how much I resent the company, Satomi will not come back. I sincerely hope this never happens again for the sake of future employees.”
Her mother said, “This outcome proves Satomi was not at fault. She was right. She did nothing wrong.”
Satomi’s sister said:
I wanted the president to apologize while she was still alive. Satomi worked hard and gave her all to the things she loved. I want people to stop crushing those who try their best. I hope our society grows to support one other lovingly.
D-Up, the company accused of driving Satomi to suicide, released a statement on its website. The company apologized, saying, “We extend our deepest condolences and heartfelt apology to our former employee and her family.” The statement also confirmed that President Sakai Mitsuru stepped down on September 10.
D-Up pledged to prevent a recurrence. The company stated that it will revise its anti-harassment rules, provide training for managers and all staff, and establish an external hotline for consultation and reporting. It added, “We will work to review and improve our internal systems and workplace environment.”
Workplace stress drives suicides
Satomi’s case reflects a tragic trend: more employees in Japan are developing mental health problems linked to workplace stress.
According to the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, a record 1,055 people were officially recognized last fiscal year as having mental health disorders such as depression caused by severe work-related stress. The Ministry cited harassment from superiors, including power harassment, along with changes in workload or job duties as the main causes.
Among these cases, 88 people either died by suicide or attempted suicide.
This was the sixth straight year that the number of recognized cases hit a new high. Experts warn that despite the increase, workers still face high hurdles when seeking compensation for mental illness.
Proving that a mental illness was directly caused by work remains extremely difficult. Therefore, the actual number of employees who developed mental illness or died by suicide due to workplace stress is likely far higher than the ministry’s figures.
Satomi’s case may only be the tip of the iceberg. Many workers facing power harassment may be suffering in silence. Some may have attempted suicide or died by suicide without their cases being reported or recognized.
If you or someone you love is in crisis, please reach out for help. Those in Japan you can call the following numbers:
0570-064-556 for kokoro-no-kenkou-soudan (こころの健康相談) operated by prefectorial and city organizations
0570-783-556 for inochi-no-denwa (いのちの電話) operated by Federation of Inochi No Denwa.
For English language help in Japan, reach out to TELL.
If you are in the US, call 911 for emergencies and 988 for the suicide hotline.
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Sources
“自殺の原因 社長のパワハラ” 1億5000万円支払いへ 遺族は NHK
仕事上のストレスで精神障害に 労災認定 昨年度は最多1055人 NHK
