Parties want bureaucrat punished over harassment

TOKYO: Opposition parties yesterday pushed the Finance Ministry to punish its top bureaucrat by blocking his eligibility for full retirement benefits in the wake of sexual harassment allegations levelled against him.

Despite denying the allegations, Vice Finance Minister Junichi Fukuda offered last week to step down. But opposition lawmakers demanded the ministry take some kind of punitive action against Mr Fukuda within the day and before his resignation is accepted, possibly today.

At a hearing session convened by opposition lawmakers, ministry officials said Mr Fukuda will receive a retirement benefit of around 53 million yen (15 million baht) if he leaves his post without being punished.

His resignation could be formalised, possibly today, after a cabinet meeting. After stepping down, public officials are no longer subject to punitive action and thus are eligible to receive their retirement packages in full.

A bureaucrat’s retirement allowance is typically calculated based on factors such as his or her length of service. Mr Fukuda has worked for the ministry since 1982.

The opposition camp wants disciplinary action imposed on Mr Fukuda before his resignation is formally approved. There are different measures available, such as dismissal or a pay cut.

If, however, Mr Fukuda cannot be punished anytime soon, the opposition parties requested the ministry put on hold his resignation and retain him in a post under the ministry.

Ministry officials said they will convey the request to Finance Minister Taro Aso, who has authority over personnel issues.

The opposition camp also asked that the ministry require Mr Fukuda apologise to the victim he allegedly harassed.

Earlier this month, weekly magazine Shukan Shincho reported that the 58-yearold top bureaucrat had made sexually suggestive remarks to female reporters. It also released an audio clip of Mr Fukuda allegedly asking a female reporter if he could give her a kiss and a hug.

Television network TV Asahi said one of its employees had been sexually harassed by Mr Fukuda and that she submitted the audio recording to the weekly.

Mr Fukuda announced his intention to resign last week as the scandal had made it difficult for him to carry out his role. He said he is preparing to file a libel suit against the magazine’s publisher.

Opposition parties are also calling for Mr Aso to step down.