Disciplinary action taken against a staff member
The University of Osaka took the following disciplinary action against a staff member on May 20, 2026.
・Disciplined Individual: Associate Professor (Male, 40s)
・Disciplinary Action: Dismissal with a recommendation to resign
・Case Summary:
The individual subject to disciplinary action engaged in acts of sexual harassment, including physical contact, against a female researcher in his department.
The University of Osaka Harassment Investigation Committee investigated the facts, and the University of Osaka Anti-Harassment Council then determined that the aforementioned conduct constituted sexual harassment against a member of the university’s faculty and staff.
The individual’s conduct constitutes harassment as defined in Article 2 of the “Regulations for the Prevention of Harassment at the University of Osaka,” damaging the university's reputation and credibility and disrupting its order, morals, and discipline. As such, it cannot be overlooked, and the employment relationship with the individual can no longer be maintained. Thus, the university has taken disciplinary action against him, dismissal with a recommendation to resign, pursuant to Article 37, Section 1, Items 5, 6, 8, and 9 and Section 2, Item 4 of the Work Regulations for National University Corporation The University of Osaka Staff.
*Please note that we refrain from disclosing details regarding the specific acts involved in this case or information about the victim, as doing so could infringe upon the victim’s privacy and other rights and interests or risk causing secondary harm to the victim. We kindly ask for your understanding in this matter.
This incident involves a faculty member of the university engaging in sexual harassment against a female researcher. Such behavior is utterly disgraceful for someone in a position to conduct education and research with high ethical standards and is inexcusable; hence, we have accordingly imposed strict disciplinary action.
We extend our heartfelt apologies to the affected researcher. As a university, we will continue to make every effort to prevent any recurrence, including further strengthening awareness-raising initiatives among the members of the University of Osaka.
May 21, 2026
The University of Osaka
[Contact regarding this incident]
Personnel Division, Department of General Affairs
Tel: 06 (6879)7021
[Related materials]
https://www.osaka-u.ac.jp/en/guide/publications/kitei_shugyou
3. Work Regulations for National University Corporation the University of Osaka Staff