NEC, one of Japan's prominent electronics companies, announced on January 14 the arrest of one of its employees for allegedly committing sexual assault against a university student seeking employment. The incident reportedly took place on January 8, during the course of what was supposed to be career advice meetings.
Kazuki Okada, the employee accused, allegedly met with the student under the pretense of offering guidance for her job search. According to reports from NHK and other media outlets, Okada lured the female student, who was participating in NEC’s internship program, to various venues, including cafes and izakayas (Japanese pubs), where they consumed alcohol late at night. The situation escalated when he reportedly entered her home and sexually assaulted her.
NEC expressed its deep regret over the incident, stating, "We deeply regret the arrest of the employee and apologize to the victims and their families. This kind of harassment is completely unacceptable." The company has pledged complete cooperation with the authorities during the investigation and has committed to taking strict disciplinary measures against the involved employee.
Following the incident, NEC announced immediate changes to its recruitment policies to prevent any future occurrences of such behavior. The updated guidelines mandate significant restrictions on how employees interact with potential candidates. No longer will one-on-one meetings be allowed outside designated company facilities or open spaces within universities, and interactions will now be limited to strictly professional settings.
The new policies state meetings must be under one hour, conducted only during regular business hours from 9 AM to 6 PM, and prohibit any form of alcohol consumption during these meetings. These measures aim to establish clearer boundaries and reduce the risk of harassment during the recruitment process.
NEC has also launched a harassment consultation desk dedicated to handling any concerns related to recruitment activities. This step is part of their proactive approach to create a safer environment for students who apply for jobs.
The timing of this announcement coincides with the government's plans to propose legal amendments aimed at requiring companies to take decisive actions against sexual harassment affecting job-seeking students, which will be discussed during the upcoming legislative session.
While the correction of recruitment practices is welcomed, the incident has sparked broader conversations about the corporate environment and the protections afforded to students during their job search. Many believe stricter regulations and corporate accountability are necessary to uphold ethical recruitment standards.
Reflecting on the severity of such behavior, NEC has reiterated its zero-tolerance policy for harassment, affirming, "The use of one's position to commit harassment against students is absolutely intolerable."
Okada, who is currently under investigation, has denied the allegations against him, which adds another layer to the legal proceedings expected as the case develops.
This incident showcases the need for vigilance and reform within corporate hiring practices, emphasizing the impact on the victims and the company's reputation. The determination to rectify systematic issues and enact firm policies could set new standards for how corporations approach recruitment and student safety.
NEC's commitment to enhancing their guidelines reflects the growing acknowledgment within the corporate world of the necessity to protect individuals, particularly vulnerable students, from potential predatory behavior during what should be integral and supportive processes.