The local government in a Japanese town is preparing to file a lawsuit against residents for "power harassment" directed toward its workers. In Japan, power harassment is a form of psychological abuse or bullying. The situation has escalated to a point where the town officials feel the lawsuit is necessary to protect their staff. No information has been divulged concerning when and where the lawsuit will be filed.

Power harassment, often referred to as "pawahara," is a serious social issue in Japan, recognized both legally and socially. It is a form of workplace bullying where those in power, be it in a hierarchical or other relationships, abuse their position to cause distress. In recent years, the public has shown greater awareness and less tolerance toward power harassment incidents, leading to the introduction of laws and corporate reforms aimed at preventing this problem.

In contrast to Japan, the US and EU deal with power harassment or workplace bullying more from a societal standpoint, rather than a legal one. Although laws exist prohibiting discrimination and harassment, the concept of "power harassment" is less formally recognized. However, companies in these regions are implementing reforms and policies to prevent power harassment in workplaces, and public awareness about psychological safety at work is increasing in these regions.