Female civil servant sues over 'institutional sexism' in her ministry
In possibly a legal first, a female civil servant on Tuesday sued the government over what she calls institutional sexism at the ministry she works for, citing almost two decades of blocked promotions and pay raises.
It is thought to be the first time a current government official has initiated a lawsuit for gender-based discrimination and maltreatment, her lead lawyer, Masao Shintaku, told reporters.
The plaintiff, who appeared before the media but whose name is being withheld to protect her privacy, is seeking compensation of about ¥6.6 million - mostly comprising the salary she says she has missed out on as a result of denied promotions.
The woman is in her 50s. She currently works as an assistant manager in the Statistics and Information Department of the Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry.
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