Tokyo's municipal government has instituted new policies to combat a form of psychological workplace intimidation known as "Apology Harassment". This asserts itself typically when an individual is continually coerced into apologizing seemingly without end, a phenomenon echoing Japan's deep-rooted apology culture. The strategies were put into place as a reaction to consistent experiences of this behavior by nearly 30% of the urban working population.

In Japan, the concept of "apology harassment" or "Kasu-hara" tackles deeply nuanced cultural expectations, where the traditionally reinforced practice of apologizing can morph into a form of ill-treatment and control in work settings. This is a trending social issue in Japan, where the commitment to harmony could sometimes shade into issues of social pressure and conformity.

While both the US and EU have established laws against workplace harassment, the specific cultural nuance of 'apology harassment' is somewhat unique to Japan. Western nations tend to focus more on overt forms of harassment, such as verbal or physical abuse. Nevertheless, measures taken against psychological manipulation, including coerced apologies, are parallel with broader global efforts to create healthier working environments.