Prevention and Response to Harassment
If you feel you’re being harassed… don’t suffer in silence
Please contact us using the method that works best for you—by phone, email, letter, or by visiting a counselor in person.
Your consultation will never be recorded or reported without your permission.
We strictly maintain confidentiality.
Organizations and policies for prevention and response
"Kochi University Committee on Ethics, Human Rights, and Grievance Handling"
Kochi University has established the "Ethics, Human Rights, and Grievance Committee" to address issues related to the prevention of harassment, the handling of complaints, and other matters concerning ethics and human rights.
"Kochi University Harassment Prevention Committee"
The "Kochi University Harassment Prevention Committee" has been established under the University's Ethics, Human Rights, and Grievance Handling Committee. The purpose of this committee is to "deepen the understanding of all university members regarding various harassment issues and to foster a comfortable campus environment where men and women can interact on an equal footing, fully utilize their abilities, and communicate effectively—an environment befitting a university as a place of education and research."
Duties of the Kochi University Harassment Prevention Committee
- Training, awareness campaigns, public relations, and research on the prevention of harassment
- Other matters related to the protection of human rights
If we determine that an investigation is necessary, we will establish a "Harassment Investigation Committee" in accordance with the Rules of the Ethics, Human Rights, and Grievance Handling Committee and take appropriate action.
Duties of the Kochi University Committee on Harassment and Related Matters
- To investigate the necessary matters in order to clarify the facts of the case
- Hearing statements from the parties involved and other relevant individuals
Related University Regulations
Consultation Services
We have assigned counselors to each campus to provide consultation, advice, and assistance regarding harassment, as well as to address such issues.
Privacy Protection
We respect the human rights of all parties involved, including their privacy and reputation, and will never disclose any confidential information we learn to third parties.
Your confidentiality is strictly maintained, so please feel free to consult with us.
Measures Against Harassment
If it is determined that improvements to the work or academic environment are necessary to resolve the issue or prevent its recurrence, the university will take the necessary measures.
Prohibition of Discriminatory Treatment
We will not treat anyone unfavorably for having taken appropriate action regarding harassment, including providing advice, cooperating with related investigations, or other related matters.
What is harassment?
It means "harassment."
If you feel uncomfortable, disgusted, or humiliated, it may be harassment.
If you feel you have been harassed
Please don’t keep your worries to yourself—reach out to our counselors. You will never face any negative consequences for seeking help. Your privacy is strictly protected.
If you witness harassment
Don’t dismiss it as a private matter between the parties involved; if you witness an unpleasant situation, speak up immediately.
Offer emotional support by listening to the victim, encouraging them to visit a counseling center, or accompanying them there.
How to Avoid Harassment (How to Avoid Becoming a Perpetrator)
All members should recognize that we are all valuable partners to one another, strive to act with respect for others’ perspectives in our daily interactions, and treat one another with dignity.
Please familiarize yourself with information on harassment through leaflets, online resources, and training sessions.
Kochi University’s Harassment Prevention Committee hosts annual training sessions and other events. We encourage you to participate.
Sexual harassment
Description
This refers to sexual remarks or behavior that causes the other person to feel uncomfortable or that they have had their dignity violated, or to remarks or behavior based on sexist attitudes.
Case Study
- Making unnecessary sexual remarks or sexist comments that cause discomfort, disgust, or humiliation.
- Establishing unreasonable distinctions in education, research, and job duties solely on the basis of gender.
- They persistently invite you to meals or dates, or bombard you with sexually explicit phone calls, letters, and emails.
Power harassment
Description
This refers to the act of using one’s authority or other power dynamics to engage in words or actions that infringe upon another person’s character or dignity—going beyond the scope of one’s normal duties—and causing mental or physical distress.
Case Study
- In situations involving work-related guidance or reprimands, making remarks that go beyond the scope of one’s duties and cause significant personal distress.
- Taking away work without a valid reason, or assigning only menial tasks.
Moral harassment
Description
This refers to psychological abuse, which involves hurting someone’s feelings through words or behavior.
Case Study
- Win over the people around them and isolate them.
- Not saying hello, blatantly ignoring someone.
- To denigrate or attack someone's character.
Academic harassment
Description
This refers to acts of harassment, obstruction of research, discrimination in promotion, or conduct that damages a person’s dignity, committed by improperly exploiting a position of authority in teaching, education, or research.
Case Study
- Conduct performance evaluations that lack objectivity and fairness.
- Refusing to allow the use of equipment, materials, etc., without a valid reason. Kochi University has established a "Harassment Prevention Committee."
Harassment related to pregnancy, childbirth, parental leave, and caregiver leave
Description
This refers to inappropriate remarks or behavior related to pregnancy, childbirth, parental leave, caregiver leave, and similar circumstances.
Case Study
- When I announced my pregnancy, I was pressured to resign from my job or withdraw from school (my contract was not renewed).
- I was transferred to a position that would normally be unthinkable.
Consultation and Measures
Kochi University is committed to preventing and eliminating all forms of harassment. Should any issues arise, we will promptly investigate the matter and take strict disciplinary action once the facts have been established. We also provide consultation services regarding complaints related to working conditions and other matters.
How to Contact Us
This service is available to all students and faculty/staff.
Please reach out in whatever way works best for you—by phone, email, letter, or by visiting a counselor in person.
When seeking counseling, it is important to keep a record of the harassment, as described below.
The details of your consultation will not be recorded or reported without your permission .
Your confidentiality is strictly maintained.
≪Consultation Records≫
・Date and Time: Year, Month, Day, Around [Time]
・Location:
・What kind of person is the other person?
・The other person’s words and actions:
・Please describe your actions and feelings:
・What kind of resolution would you like to see?
Counselor Contact Information
*Please contact any counselor you feel comfortable talking to, regardless of their department or position. (Please replace ★ with @)
Effective April 1, 2026
| Affiliation, etc. | Name | Phone number and email address |
|---|---|---|
| Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences | Masahiro Kawamoto | TEL 844-8189 masakwmt@kochi-u.ac.jp |
| 〃 | Miki Nakanishi | Tel: 844-8219 nakanishi★kochi-u.ac.jp |
| 〃 | Akiko Inada | Tel: 844-8252 inad★kochi-u.ac.jp |
| Faculty of Education | Joji Ohara | TEL 844-8445 joji★kochi-u.ac.jp |
| 〃 | Noriaki Fukuzumi | Tel: 844-8439 fukuzumi★kochi-u.ac.jp |
| 〃 | Naomi Tsuji | Tel: 844-8463 ntsuji★kochi-u.ac.jp |
| Faculty of Science and Technology | Fujishiro Fumi | Tel. 844-8297 f.fujishiro@kochi-u.ac.jp |
| 〃 | Yuko Sekita | Tel: 844-8697 sekida★kochi-u.ac.jp |
| 〃 | Nobuyuki Yamada | Tel: 844-8323 nyamada★kochi-u.ac.jp |
| Medical School | Kayoko Hamada | Tel: 880-2757 kayoko-h★kochi-u.ac.jp |
| 〃 | Masaki Akamatsu | Tel: 880-2359 m-akamatsu@kochi-u.ac.jp |
| Faculty of Agriculture and Marine Science | Yuko Wakiya | Tel: 864-5170 wakiya★kochi-u.ac.jp |
| 〃 | Masayuki Tsuzuki | Tel: 864-6788 mtsuzuki@kochi-u.ac.jp |
| 〃 | Osamu Miura | Tel: 864-6765 miurao@kochi-u.ac.jp |
| Faculty of Regional Collaboration | Emiko Tamazato | Tel: 844-8869 tamazato@kochi-u.ac.jp |
| 〃 | Tomofumi Otsuki | Tel: 844-8260 tsuki★kochi-u.ac.jp |
| 〃 | Fumine Sato | TEL 844-8097 sato.ayane@kochi-u.ac.jp |
| Health Management Center | Shiho Nagano | Tel: 880-2292 shiho_nagano@kochi-u.ac.jp |
| Administrative Staff (Asakura) | Yoshika Takeshita | Tel: 844-8045 jm-kei@kochi-u.ac.jp |
| Administrative Staff (Asakura) | Minami Okada | TEL 844-8749 jm-ichi★kochi-u.ac.jp |
| Administrative Staff (Yutaka Oka) | Shingo Karaiwa | Tel: 880-2233 jm-skaraiwa@kochi-u.ac.jp |
| Administrative Staff (Yutaka Oka) | 溝口 あき | TEL 880-2737 jm-ayui★kochi-u.ac.jp |
| Administrative Staff (Monobe) | Toshie Teshima | Tel: 864-5112 jm-teshima@kochi-u.ac.jp |
| Medical Staff (Okatoyo) | Katsura Nanbu | TEL 880-2459 jm-ke-nan★kochi-u.ac.jp |
Consultation service for the general public
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TEL: 088-873-9555
9:00 AM–5:00 PM Closed on the second Wednesday of each month, national holidays, and during the year-end and New Year holidays - Kochi Labor Bureau, Employment Environment and Equality Division
TEL: 088-885-6041
8:30 AM–5:15 PM (Excluding Saturdays, Sundays, national holidays, the year-end and New Year holidays, and from noon to 1:00 PM.)