Lawyers for the bereaved family of a deceased performer who was employed at a popular all-female theater company based in western Japan say the troupe has admitted to many of the claims that she suffered harassment.

The 25-year-old member of Takarazuka Revue was found dead in the city of Takarazuka, Hyogo Prefecture, in a suspected suicide last September.

In November, the theater company released an investigative report that said bullying or harassment could not be confirmed. But it said psychological stress due to long work hours could not be ruled out.

The bereaved family claims there were 15 incidents involving senior performers and senior theater officials that constituted harassment of their daughter.

The family has demanded the company admit to the harassment and the overwork, and also offer an apology and compensation. Lawyers for both sides have held talks four times so far.

The lawyers for the family said at a news conference on Tuesday that the company said in a document dated January 24 that many of the 15 incidents did amount to harassment.

But the lawyers said the company did not clarify which of the incidents it referred to.

They said the two sides are still in disagreement on some issues, and plan to hold a fifth meeting in March.