‘Commit seppuku’: Yokohama mayor found guilty of extreme power harassment against staffKANAGAWA (TR) – Yokohama City announced on Thursday that a third-party committee has confirmed multiple instances of severe power harassment by mayor Takeharu Yamanaka, detailing a toxic administration ruled by threats, misogyny, and verbal abuse, reports Kyodo News (July 30). The investigative report revealed a hostile work environment where the mayor routinely hurled insults at city workers. Yamanaka was found to have called employees “human trash,” “useless junk,” and referred to female staff with the derogatory term “obasan” (old lady). In one extreme instance, the mayor told staff they would have to “commit seppuku” (ritual suicide) if they failed to secure a bid for an international conference. In March, three lawyers recommended by the Kanagawa Bar Association were appointed to interview the mayor and his staff.