Analysis of Structural Aspects of Sexual Harassment

: Focusing on Power Relationships As Well As “Third Parties”

Abstract

It was more than 30 years ago that sexual harassment became a social issue in Japan, but it remains a serious problem which harms many workers, especially women. To elucidate this problem from the perspective of the power structure of the workplace, it is necessary to examine not only the victims and perpetrators themselves but also the behavior of “third parties” or bystanders, such as superiors and colleagues. This article analyzes the victims’ narratives which suggests factors that cannot be fully explained by the hierarchical relationship between the perpetrators and the victims, nor by the exclusion of female workers who try to seek equality in a predominantly male workplace. It is the “atmosphere” of the workplace that neglects to address assaults by perpetrators. Behind this “atmosphere” is a “workplace community with a sense of unity”, which characterizes most Japanese companies, where behaviors of perpetrators are overlooked and victims are blamed. To solve this problem, it is necessary to dismantle the double standards based on gender and to create new codes of conduct at the workplace.