A male employee of Otsuka Foods has filed a ¥2.2 million lawsuit against the company for developing depression as a result of unfair treatment after filing a whistleblower report on the company’s alleged misconduct.
The man filed the lawsuit in the Otsu District Court in Shiga Prefecture on Monday, claiming he suffered from depression after being transferred and receiving little work.
According to the complaint, the man was responsible for product quality control at the company’s Shiga factory in June 2022, when he reported to Shiga Prefecture that the company had failed to recall products after he found the use of non-food grade bags had discovered.
The prefectural government has issued administrative guidelines. However, in March 2023, the man filed an internal report with Otsuka Holdings, the parent company, claiming that the problem had been covered up at the factory.
Following this internal report, he was transferred to a department where he had no previous experience, with minimal work, and was subjected to what he called “house arrest,” as his supervisor would report to him if he attempted to leave the room.
After being diagnosed with depression and taking a leave of absence, his working conditions still did not improve upon his return.
“I hope the company will comply with the whistleblower protection law and take the matter seriously,” the man told a news conference after filing the lawsuit.
His lawyer added that the transfer order was unreasonable.
Otsuka Foods states that it has not yet received the complaint and cannot confirm its contents.
Translated by The Japan Times
