A Japanese lawmaker has come under fire after allegedly hitting a female colleague on the buttocks with a rolled-up document inside the country’s parliament.
The incident, involving members of the ruling Japan Innovation Party, was captured on a livestream and quickly sparked controversy online after a distinct slapping sound could be heard.
The 58-year-old female lawmaker, Akemi Matsuno, was reportedly walking through the parliamentary premises on Oct 5 when 80-year-old male lawmaker Kiyoshi Chujo allegedly approached from behind and struck her with the rolled-up paper.
The incident has prompted questions over whether the act constituted sexual harassment or workplace harassment, with labour groups in Japan also calling for greater attention to such behaviour.
Matsuno later said in a social media post that she only realised she had been hit after watching the footage.
Her response has also fuelled discussion online, with some users arguing that treating such conduct as a joke or remaining silent could contribute to a culture in which women feel they are expected to tolerate unwanted physical contact.
Chujo, a former singer and actor, was first elected to parliament in 2022 and has previously attracted controversy.
He was criticised after allegedly using parliamentary questioning time to promote a single, while reports also claimed he had failed to pay national pension contributions for 35 years, leaving ¥3.13 million in unpaid premiums.
Chujo had also previously faced allegations over an illegal money-lending business, which he denied, saying the loans involved interest-free lending.
The latest incident has renewed scrutiny of his conduct and sparked calls for greater accountability over behaviour in Japan’s parliament.
