The Supreme Public Prosecutors Office of Japan announced it will carry out a harassment survey among prosecutors and other employees nationwide in response to sexual assault allegations against Kentaro Kitagawa, former head of the Osaka District Public Prosecutors Office [1, 2].
Kitagawa, 66, is on trial for allegedly sexually assaulting a female subordinate prosecutor known as Hikari. She accused him of rape that occurred six years ago and demanded an independent investigative panel along with a broader harassment survey across prosecutor offices [1, 2].
Hikari resigned in April 2026 after officials rejected her request for an independent investigation. She criticized internal reviews as “completely pointless” and insisted “an independent probe was absolutely necessary,” saying the lack of impartial inquiry prevents identifying causes and allows problems to recur [1, 2].
The Supreme Public Prosecutors Office instructed local offices in May 2026 to begin the harassment survey and aims to compile a report by the end of the fiscal year [1]. Justice Minister Hiroshi Hiraguchi said establishing a third-party independent committee requires “extremely careful consideration” due to the ongoing trial of Kitagawa [1, 2]. He added, “We are considering further concrete measures to improve the workplace environment” and confirmed “a probe into harassment is scheduled for this fiscal year for all staff” [1, 2].
Kitagawa was initially arrested and admitted to the assault but later retracted his statement, asserting the relationship was consensual [2]. Hikari suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder and has accused a subordinate prosecutor close to Kitagawa of spreading malicious rumors about her. Her criminal complaint against the subordinate was dismissed, resulting only in a reprimand [2].
According to Hikari, she lost memory after drinking at an office gathering in 2018 and woke up at Kitagawa’s home, where the alleged assault occurred [2].
The harassment survey ordered in May will assess the workplace environment nationwide among prosecutors and staff. The Supreme Public Prosecutors Office plans to finalize and publish the findings by the end of fiscal 2026 [1].
