Legal Tokyo District Court rules suffix '-chan' as sexual harassment

Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare has previously listed examples showing that using "chan" at work may constitute sexual harassment depending on the context. Harassment prevention expert Yuko Yamafuji commented that the court's decision should not be interpreted as recognizing "chan" alone as harassment but rather as part of a broader pattern of inappropriate workplace conduct. She added that "while the intention might be to create closeness, workplaces require respect in both language and attitude." When interviewed on the streets of Tokyo's Shinbashi district, most workers said they call colleagues with "-san," regardless of gender, as it shows respect and avoids confusion. Some noted that using "chan" with certain coworkers while using "san" with others can cause misunderstandings. Women expressed mixed views. One said that she finds it "creepy" when someone uses "chan" without being close, while another said she didn't feel uncomfortable when addressed that way because she interpreted it as a friendly gesture. Yamafuji also addressed the use of "kun," often applied to male subordinates, saying it is generally recognized as referring to boys and does not necessarily convey professional respect. She concluded that "-san" remains the most neutral and respectful form of address for any colleague, regardless of gender or seniority.

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