Asahi editor fired prior to release of article detailing sexual harassment

TOKYO (TR) – The Asahi Shimbun company announced the dismissal of a magazine editor just before the release of an article in a rival publication that details alleged sexual harassment, reports the Sankei Shimbun (Oct. 8).

On Tuesday, the company announced the firing of Ikuya Kozakai, the 53-year-old editor-in-chief of the weekly Shukan Asahi, for “serious workplace violations” without going into details while citing “privacy” concerns.

The move comes two days before the release of a report appearing in rival publication Shukan Bunshun (Oct. 17) in which Kozaki is said to have made a number of inappropriate advances toward female reporters, including offering promotions in exchange for companionship, according to news site J-cast (Oct. 9).

On Wednesday, the company announced that president Yasuyuki Aoki and Kazuharu Ogi, the general manager of the magazine division, would receive salary reductions as a means of taking responsibility for the matter.

Kozakai took over as editor-in-chief post in December. The move followed the publication of a controversial article about Osaka mayor Toru Hashimoto in October.