Third-party probe finds Shogakukan ‘encouraged’ human rights violations
A third-party panel at Shogakukan found that the publisher encouraged human rights violations by hiring a male manga artist who had committed sexual misconduct as an author for a new series under a different pseudonym.
Intelligence analysis by Llama
Shogakukan's manga app editorial department 'encouraged and supported the violation of human rights' of a woman who had been subject to sexual misconduct by a male manga artist, according to a third-party panel investigation report.
A publisher in Japan, Shogakukan, was criticized for hiring a man who had hurt a girl when he was her teacher to create a new manga series. The company didn't check well enough if he was safe to work with, and this made a woman who was hurt by him feel worse. This is a big problem because it shows that the company didn't care enough about making sure its employees and the people they work with are safe.
Analysis
A Culture of Silence and Complicity
Shogakukan's handling of the situation raises serious concerns about the company's commitment to preventing human rights violations. The panel's report highlights the lack of sensitivity and oversight in the editorial department, which allowed the male manga artist to continue working despite his history of sexual misconduct. This culture of silence and complicity is particularly disturbing given the severity of the crimes committed by the artist.
The Consequences of Inaction
The panel's report also criticizes the editor's response to the situation, which 'encouraged and supported the violation of human rights by the man against the victimized woman.' This inaction has severe consequences, not only for the victim but also for the company's reputation and the manga industry as a whole. The report concludes that Shogakukan's lack of sensitivity regarding preventing human rights violations was problematic and that the company failed to 'systematically assess, manage and supervise important risks.'
A Call for Accountability
The case serves as a stark reminder of the need for publishers to take responsibility for preventing human rights violations and ensuring a safe working environment for their employees. Shogakukan's response to the situation, including their apology and commitment to facing their responsibilities with sincerity, is a step in the right direction. However, more needs to be done to address the underlying issues and prevent similar cases from arising in the future.
Key points
- A third-party panel found that Shogakukan's manga app editorial department 'encouraged and supported the violation of human rights' of a woman who had been subject to sexual misconduct by a male manga artist.
- The panel criticized the editor's response to the situation, which 'encouraged and supported the violation of human rights by the man against the victimized woman.'
- Shogakukan's lack of sensitivity regarding preventing human rights violations was problematic, and the company failed to 'systematically assess, manage and supervise important risks.'
If Shogakukan takes concrete steps to address the issues raised by the panel's report, such as implementing stricter hiring practices and providing better support for victims of sexual misconduct, it could lead to a safer and more responsible manga industry.
However, if Shogakukan fails to take meaningful action, it could lead to further damage to the company's reputation and the manga industry as a whole, potentially resulting in a loss of trust and revenue.