Story perspectives

Shogakukan Faces Backlash for Hiring Sex Offenders Under Pseudonyms

3/9/2026

Summary

Story summary

Shogakukan, a major Japanese publisher, faces backlash for hiring authors convicted of sexually assaulting minors under pseudonyms.
Court documents reveal the company prioritized profits over victim safety by continuing to publish these creators.
One victim criticized the publisher's handling of her case and expressed a desire for transparency.
The publisher has announced plans to establish a third-party committee to investigate its hiring practices.

History

Historical Context

The #MeToo movement surged in 2017, revealing widespread sexual misconduct, notably in publishing, with figures like Harvey Weinstein facing backlash. Shogakukan's hiring of authors with criminal histories reflects a troubling trend of prioritizing profit over victim safety, echoing past failures in the entertainment industry. This incident highlights the urgent need for accountability and transparency in corporate hiring practices to restore public trust.

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Story summary

Shogakukan, a major Japanese publisher, faces backlash for hiring authors convicted of sexually assaulting minors under pseudonyms.
Court documents reveal the company prioritized profits over victim safety by continuing to publish these creators.
One victim criticized the publisher's handling of her case and expressed a desire for transparency.
The publisher has announced plans to establish a third-party committee to investigate its hiring practices.

1 / 2