An alarming incident unfolds in a small Japanese town, where a municipal worker lost their life, allegedly due to "power harassment" inflicted by the town mayor. The nature of the abuse remains undisclosed for now. Calls for a public apology are being raised towards the mayoral office, stirring a broader dialogue about workplace ethics across Japan.

In Japan, power harassment — or “pawahara” — refers to bullying and misconduct by someone in a position of power at the workplace. This issue has been increasingly spotlighted in recent years, causing public outrage and demanding systematic reform. Japan's traditional emphasis on respect for authority, hierarchical structures, and group harmony compounds the problem, often leaving victims silent and unprotected.

In comparison, the U.S. and EU have more extensive laws against workplace harassment. Employees are also more likely to seek legal redress, thanks to a higher societal awareness of personal rights and a robust system of protection for whistleblowers. However, despite such measures, workplace bullying remains a pervasive issue globally.