Manga One Scandal: Shogakukan Announces Human Rights Policy in the Company
The case involving the Manga One Scandal at publisher Shogakukan has developed further and is causing major backlash in Japan. The company officially announced the creation of an independent committee to investigate issues related to the Manga One app and controversial decisions involving an author.
Manga One Scandal: What Happened
Shogakukan announced on March 19 that, during an extraordinary board meeting, it decided to establish an external committee to investigate the situation involving the Manga One app.
The issue revolves around author Shoichi Yamamoto, known for works such as “Daten Sakusen.” It was revealed that the publisher was aware of the author’s criminal history related to a crime involving the abuse of a minor student, yet he was still rehired under a pseudonym to work on another project (image below).
The situation sparked heavy criticism from artists, readers, and industry professionals, especially after it was revealed that members of the editorial team participated in negotiations related to the case.
Independent Committee Will Investigate the Case
According to Shogakukan, the committee will focus on:
- Investigating the facts of the case
- Checking for similar past incidents
- Analyzing the causes of the issue
- Proposing measures to prevent future cases
The committee will be led by Toshihiko Itami, a former high-ranking prosecutor in Japan who is now a lawyer. Two other lawyers will also take part in the investigation.
The company stated that it will fully cooperate with the investigation and plans to disclose the results while respecting the privacy of those involved.
New Human Rights Policy
In addition to creating the committee, the company also announced a new guideline called the “Shogakukan Human Rights Policy.” The goal is to strengthen its commitment to ethical practices and social responsibility within the publishing industry.
Key points include:
- Prohibition of harassment
- Protection of children’s rights
- Measures to address human rights violations
- Ongoing education programs for employees
Shogakukan stated that it will regularly review these policies and disclose progress transparently. Let’s see how things unfold over time.