Fukuoka city workers report psychological distress from interactions with assembly members

Fukuoka city workers report psychological distress from interactions with assembly members. A survey conducted by the Fukuoka Municipal Government found that 26 employees experienced mental or physical health issues due to psychological distress caused by their interactions with assembly members. Respondents cited incidents such as assembly members treating them like servants and being ordered to submit written apologies.

The city conducted the survey following problems in the Fukuoka Prefectural Assembly, including the diversion of questions to Liberal Democratic Party members. Out of 599 city employees surveyed at the section chief level and above, 566 responded with a response rate of about 94.5%. Some employees had prepared materials, such as scripts for questions, for assembly members, with the Liberal Democratic Party being the most common recipient.

The survey revealed that 32 employees drafted entire question scripts, while 18 prepared all the questions. The most common reason for preparing the materials was a direct request from an assembly member. Additionally, 61 employees reported drafting materials for assembly members, with the Liberal Democratic Party being the most frequent recipient.

Some employees experienced intimidation, with 247 reporting the use of honorific titles like "Sensei" and 147 reporting intimidating words or behavior. The survey results were released on August 24, and Fukuoka Municipal Assembly Speaker Masahiro Hirahata, a member of the LDP, emphasized the importance of taking the results seriously.