A local seasoning maker and its affiliates were issued a court order Thursday to pay 110 million yen to a former employee's mother who claimed that her 24-year-old son committed suicide in 1995 because of depression caused by overwork.
Teruko Kidani, 62, accused Otafuku Sauce Co. of ignoring complaints filed by her son, Kimiharu, regarding overwork and failing to ease his duties at a sauce factory.
Presiding Judge Makoto Kato of the Hiroshima District Court stated that the firm neglected its duty to ensure a healthy working environment.
According to the court, Kimiharu Kidani was transferred from the company to an affiliate plant that manufactures specialty sauces in 1993.