入社にゅうしゃ2年ねん目めの研究けんきゅう員いん自殺じさつ 両親りょうしんがメーカーなどに賠償ばいしょう求もとめ提訴ていそへ

A second-year researcher at a major manufacturer committed suicide, and on the 30th, the parents will file a lawsuit seeking compensation from the manufacturer and others, claiming that harsh guidance, such as repeatedly being ordered to rewrite reports without any specific instructions, was the cause.

The manufacturer responded to the interview by saying, We have been responding to employee consultations and making personnel transfers, among other measures.

The bereaved familys views differ from those of our company.

A 25-year-old male researcher who worked at a research institute in Shiga Prefecture belonging to Nippon Carbon, a major carbon products manufacturer headquartered in Tokyo, committed suicide in 2021, four years ago. On the 30th, his parents will file a lawsuit with the Tokyo District Court seeking over 90 million yen in compensation from the company and his supervisor.

According to the complaint, the man was in charge of research on lithium-ion batteries and submitted monthly reports, but his supervisor, who sat next to him at work, told him things like This kind of report is useless and I dont understand it at all, and ordered him to rewrite the reports multiple times without giving any specific instructions.

I consulted with the Human Resources department, and in November of my second year at the company, a male colleague was transferred within the same workplace and my supervisor changed.

However, my seat was only changed from next to my former boss to across from them, so I still had to see them every day.

The Labor Standards Inspection Office recognized it as a work-related accident last April, stating that the quota was difficult to achieve, and the superiors remarks constituted strong reprimands. The bereaved family claims that the reason the man committed suicide lies with the company and his former superior.

Japanese Carbon responded to NHK’s inquiry by saying, “We have conducted a fact-finding investigation, but we did not find any evidence that the supervisor engaged in what is commonly referred to as power harassment.”

We have provided consultation for the deceased employee and made changes in their assignment, so we must state that the bereaved familys belief that our company bears legal responsibility differs from our own position.

If a lawsuit is filed, we intend to respond sincerely.

According to the investigation by the Higashiomi Labor Standards Inspection Office, the certification by the Labor Standards Inspection Office shows that the man joined Nippon Carbon in 2019 and had been conducting research on lithium-ion batteries at a research institute in Shiga Prefecture since September.

At the time of my assignment, the message I sent to the HR representative said, For now, there’s so much to learn and remember, and I think things will get even tougher once I have my own work to handle.

However, in December of that year, I told the HR representative, The work at the laboratory is mentally tough for me.

I have no idea what I should do or how I should do it, I sent in a message, and then in January 2020 the following year, Rather than being raised, it feels like Im expected to think for myself, take action, and learn on my own.

Of course, its necessary to think and act, but I feel like the problem is that there isnt much follow-up, they questioned.

Since March, she had been suffering from unexplained fevers and feeling unwell, and around November, she reportedly consulted those around her about resigning.

At around this time, I was transferred to a different position within the same workplace, and my duties and supervisor changed.

At the end of the year, I went back to my hometown and had meals with friends from my student days, but after returning to Shiga Prefecture in January 2021, I took my own life at home where I was living alone.

Im sorry, I cant take it anymore.

A suicide note saying Goodbye was left behind.

The Labor Standards Inspection Office determined that the man had already developed a mental disorder two months before his death in November 2020, stating, It is difficult for first- or second-year employees to create satisfactory reports without specific instructions, which caused psychological stress.

The supervisors words were harsh, and the guidance was strict, it was determined.

On the other hand, it was determined that it cannot be said that power harassment occurred; rather, it falls under strong guidance or reprimand within the scope of work-related instruction.

According to a statement submitted to NHK by the mans parents, the bereaved family said, If we can change the world even a little. The man, who was said to be very curious since childhood, became interested in researching ceramics such as pottery and glass after entering university, and was deeply absorbed in his research in graduate school.

He says he was very happy when he received a job offer from Nippon Carbon after job hunting because he wanted to continue his research.

My parents used to think, If our son were still alive, he would be turning 30 this year. We wanted to have drinks and talk with him, see what kind of adult he grew up to be, and someday, we even hoped to see our grandchildrens faces.

What is most painful is that this suffering and sadness will not suddenly disappear someday, but will continue until my spouse and I pass away.

And regarding the reason for filing the lawsuit, Workers compensation was recognized, but it did not mean that power harassment was acknowledged.

In these times when there are constant cries about labor shortages and a lack of workers, it makes no sense not to accept young people—who are finally entering society and should be valued—with tolerance, nor is there any justification for discarding them.

We raised our voices, hoping that we could change the world, even if just a little, it says.

The company’s comment: In response to NHK’s inquiry, Nippon Carbon stated, “It is true that an employee took their own life, and we are still deeply saddened and shocked by the loss of a valued colleague.”

Based on that, We have conducted a fact-finding investigation, but did not find any evidence of long working hours, nor did we confirm any actions by the supervisor that exceeded the necessary and appropriate scope of work—so-called power harassment.

We have responded to consultations from the deceased employee and accommodated requests for reassignment, and therefore, we must state that the bereaved familys view that our company bears legal responsibility differs from our own.

If a lawsuit is filed, we intend to respond sincerely.

The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare has set up a website to accept consultations for work-related concerns.

You can search for Kokoro no Mimi on the internet, and the URL is https://kokoro

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en/ Its me.

In addition to accepting consultations via SNS and email, we also respond by phone at 0120-565-455.

In addition, the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare has set up consultation services for people who are feeling anxious or troubled. You can search for Mamorouyo Kokoro online.

The URL is https://www

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We introduce contact phone numbers and other information at jp/mamorouyokokoro/.