Japan lawmaker filmed striking colleague’s buttocks sparks outrage
AM730 · 2 SOURCESabout 3 hours ago5 MIN
Summary
A live broadcast from Japan’s parliament has sparked a public outcry after Kiyoshi Nakajo (中条清), an 80-year-old upper house member of Nippon Ishin no Kai, was filmed striking fellow party lawmaker Akemi Matsuno (松野明美), 58, on the buttocks with a rolled-up paper document during the entry to an extraordinary Diet session on October 5. The sound of the strike was reportedly audible on the broadcast, and Matsuno was seen stopping and turning back to speak to him afterward. The clip spread online, where many viewers condemned the act as sexual harassment, workplace harassment and violence, with some calling for Nakajo to resign. Nakajo had not made a public response at the time of the reports, while Matsuno’s attempt to play down the incident on X drew additional criticism.
Key Points
- The incident occurred on October 5 during entry to the 222nd extraordinary Diet session, when upper house members were entering the chamber under live television coverage
- Broadcast footage showed Nakajo using a baton made from rolled paper documents to strike Matsuno’s buttocks from behind as she walked ahead of him.
- Matsuno, 58, stopped after being struck and turned back to speak with Nakajo, though the content of their exchange was not clear in the reports
- Japan’s National Confederation of Trade Unions said the scene was shocking and described it as sexual harassment, workplace harassment and violence.
- Late on October 5, Matsuno wrote on X that she had not noticed what happened until seeing the video, a reaction many online users criticized.
Why It Matters
For Hong Kong readers, the case shows how conduct captured on live political broadcasts can quickly become a test of workplace standards and public accountability. It also underlines how a victim’s muted response may itself become part of the controversy, especially when the incident happens in a legislature and in full public view.