TOKYO (AP) — An employee at Japanese medical equipment maker Olympus is complaining that his humiliating treatment has not changed despite a Supreme Court ruling that his demotion was illegal.
Masaharu Hamada said Wednesday he is still isolated in the office and not given any work after last month's court judgment. His was the first whistleblower case to reach Japan's highest court.
His lawyer Koichi Kozen said Hamada may have to file another lawsuit. Tokyo-based Olympus said it took the June 28 ruling seriously and is in talks with Hamada on the best role for him in the company.
Hamada sued in 2008, alleging punishment for relaying a supplier's complaint. He is considered a whistleblower in Japan because he raised questions about colleagues' professional behavior and was subjected to bizarre and humiliating punishment.
