Women took to the streets on Monday to denounce Finance Minister Taro Aso over comments that seemed to make light of an alleged case of sexual harassment by the top bureaucrat at his ministry. Aso, a 77-year-old former prime minister who is known for making controversial remarks, came
Women took to the streets on Monday to denounce Finance Minister Taro Aso over comments that seemed to make light of an alleged case of sexual harassment by the top bureaucrat at his ministry.
Aso, a 77-year-old former prime minister who is known for making controversial remarks, came under renewed criticism after saying on Friday that there is “no such thing (crime) as a sexual harassment charge.”
“It’s not the same as charges of murder or sexual assault,” he told reporters during a trip to Manila.
The comments appeared to downplay the gravity of claims that then-Vice Finance Minister Junichi Fukuda had made sexually suggestive comments to a female TV reporter.
The protesters included women lining the sidewalk in front of the Finance Ministry building in Tokyo holding signs reading “We won’t condone sexual harassment” and “#WithYou” in a show of solidarity with victims.
