Home›Global Markets›North America›Japan whistle-blower faces large damages claim tied to…

Japan whistle-blower faces large damages claim tied to STAAR Surgical unit

The Tokyo District Court dismissed his employer’s 47.88 million yen damages claim in December, but the case is on appeal with a high court ruling scheduled for September 3.

Reported · Written up by our desk · North America

A Japanese whistle-blower, Yutaka Kato, says he reported suspected misconduct by his employer but then faced a large damages claim and uncertainty over his future employment, according to SCMP Economy.

Kato’s former employer, the Japanese subsidiary of US-listed medical device maker STAAR Surgical, sought 47.88 million yen, or about US$300,000, and he described the prospect of years in court and concern about whether he would return to work.

SCMP Economy reports that the Tokyo District Court dismissed the damages claim in December, but the company appealed and a high court ruling is expected on September 3.

Kato is also pursuing a separate lawsuit challenging his dismissal, and SCMP Economy says a high court ruling went in his favor, though the company has appealed to Japan’s Supreme Court.

More like this

Sources