A Japanese court says a cosmetics company should admit that power harassment by its president led to the suicide of a worker, and apologize and pay 150-million yen, or about one million dollars, to the woman's parents. It also says the president should resign.



The Tokyo District Court issued the decision on Tuesday for a case filed by the deceased woman's parents. It is rare for this kind of court decision to include a company president's resignation.



Lawyers for the victim's family say Satomi, whose family name has not been disclosed, began working at the Tokyo-based cosmetics company D-UP in April 2021.



In December 2021, she was harshly reprimanded by the president during a lengthy meeting. She was diagnosed with depression the following month and took a leave of absence.



She attempted suicide in August 2022, which left her unconscious. She died in October 2023 at the age of 25.



Her parents had filed a lawsuit seeking damages from the company and its president in July 2023. The court had the case handled in a mediation process.



As a result of the mediation, the Tokyo District Court issued its decision on Tuesday, which was finalized after both sides did not object.



The victim's sister said she had wanted the president to apologize while Satomi was still alive. She said Satomi was a hard-working person who was dedicated to the things she cared about.
She said she hopes to see a society in which people who are trying hard will not be crushed but protected.



In a comment released on its website, D-UP offered its sincere apologies to the deceased employee and her family. It said its president, Sakai Mitsuru, resigned on Wednesday.



The company said it will take measures to prevent a recurrence. It said this includes reviewing its harassment prevention rules, conducting training for its management and employees and setting up an external consultation hotline.
----------------

Quiz 1:
In which year did the deceased employee start working at D-UP?
A. 2020
B. 2021
C. 2022
D. 2023

Quiz 2:
What action did the court ask the president of the cosmetics company to take, according to the article?
A. Admit power harassment and pay compensation
B. File an appeal against the decision
C. Resign from his position
D. None of the above

Quiz 3:
What did the victim's sister express hope for regarding society after her sister's death?
A. Society where people who work hard will be punished
B. Society where people who work hard will not be appreciated
C. Society where people who are trying hard will not be crushed but protected
D. Society where people who are trying hard will be ignored