Nearly 75% of Japanese students check sexual harassment policies before choosing employers: Survey

Sexual harassment concerns during recruitment are emerging as an important consideration for young job seekers in Japan, with nearly 75% of university and graduate students saying they examine a company's preventive measures before choosing a prospective employer.

According to Japan's daily newspaper The Mainichi, a survey by cram school operator Meiko Network Japan Co. found that 85.6% of parents with children pursuing university or graduate studies also consider an employer's efforts to prevent sexual harassment.

For students and parents alike, being asked sexually inappropriate questions was the most frequently identified form of harassment. The findings highlight concerns about misconduct during recruitment and other employment-related interactions.

The survey comes as Japan introduces stronger legal safeguards for job applicants. Revised provisions that took effect on Oct. 1 require employers to implement measures to prevent sexual harassment against job seekers and candidates.

"Companies should publicly declare their commitment to preventing harassment so job seekers can choose employers with confidence," an official of the Tokyo-headquartered cram school operator said.

The September survey covered 1,000 respondents, comprising 500 university and graduate students and 500 parents whose children were enrolled in higher education institutions.

Among the 273 students who feared experiencing sexual harassment during job hunting or workplace placements, 42.9% identified one-on-one interviews conducted in private rooms as their biggest concern.

Parents pointed to a different situation. Of the 289 parents who expressed similar concerns, 64.4% identified social gatherings involving alcohol as the setting they were most worried about.