TOKYO - The Tokyo District Court has ordered the Japanese government to pay 60,000 yen in damages to a former Air Self-Defense Force ASDF member who was described by his boss as having caused enormous stress during a farewell party speech at the time of his retirement.
The man had sought a total of 1.65 million yen, about $12,300 in compensation, claiming he was subject to emotional distress. The humiliation the former member received was large, and illegal, as it infringed on an individual's rights. A farewell party attended by some 40 people in March 2017 was held by the ruling, and the former ASDF member had resigned to broaden his range of experience. His superior, who was a male first lieutenant, read aloud a farewell speech, saying, The former member caused the lieutenant enormous stress and angered him. The national government claimed that it was a light-hearted speech during a drinking session, and there was no intention to mock the member. The court decision said that The two did not have a close relationship, allowing the speech to pass as a joke. It exceeds the limit that can be socially accepted.