News
Employee Sues Japanese Manga Publisher for 3.3 Million Yen
posted on by Lynzee Loveridge
A former employee of manga publisher Akita Shoten is suing the company for 3.3 million yen (about US$33,000) in damages, as well as her job back after she was fired. According to the plaintiff, she was fired from her job after pointing out that Akita Shoten was claiming to give more prizes away to readers than it actually was. Sending prizes to readers was part of the 28-year-old woman's duties while working for the publisher.
The plaintiff asserted when she learned about the inflated number of prizewinners, she reported it to her supervisor who she claims told her "not to breathe a word of it to anyone." When she refused to comply, she stated she was continually harassed in an attempt to force her to quit. The woman claims she suffered severe health problems due to the stress and abuse.
The woman was officially told she would be fired for disciplinary reasons when she was on medical leave in February 2012 and was let go a month later.
The Consumer Affairs Agency determined last month that Akita Shoten had overstated the number of gift winners and ordered the company to take measures preventing any future violations. Akita Shoten sent out just three ribbon barrettes instead of the claimed 50. Two Nintendo DS Lite game systems and six gift certificates worth 10,000 yen (US$100) also were never sent.
Akita Shoten publishes Mystery Bonita, Princess and other manga magazines.
Source: The Japan Times
