Sources say a popular all-female theater company based in western Japan has told the family of one of its performers it admits to some claims she suffered harassment before she died.

The 25-year-old member of Takarazuka Revue was found dead last September in a suspected suicide.

The theater company released an investigative report by third-party lawyers in November that said bullying or harassment could not be confirmed. But it said psychological stress due to long work hours could not be ruled out.

Lawyers for the bereaved family refuted the findings. They said there were 15 incidents involving senior performers and senior theater officials that constituted harassment.

Sources say Takarazuka Revue and its operator, Hankyu Corporation, have told the family that some of the 15 incidents did amount to harassment.

They say the theater company plans to offer apologies for flaws in its management system. It is known that the woman had been forced to prepare for performances with only a small number of colleagues.

The sources say the company and the family will continue talks, as they still disagree on some issues.