Kyoto police arrested two men on Thursday for allegedly forcing a disabled coworker into an industrial washing machine and turning it on, injuring him.
Kazuki Naoe, 37, and Yosuke Kamijima, 37, employees of a cleaning company in the city of Kyoto’s Shimogyo Ward, admitted to the charges, according to police.
On March 26 at around 2:30 p.m, the two suspects reportedly told their coworker, a 50-year-old man with an intellectual disability, "You stink! Get in the washing machine."
They allegedly proceeded to force him into the machine and turn it on, resulting in injuries that required two weeks to heal.
The company, which specializes in the cleaning and leasing of mascot costumes, traditional Japanese happi coats and school curtains, operates large washing machines with a capacity of approximately 100 kilograms and dimensions of around 2 meters in height, width and depth.
The victim sought medical attention a few days after the incident. The doctor who treated him noticed bruises and other injuries all over his body and reported the case to the police.
Questioning of the victim has revealed further past instances of abuse, leading the police to investigate potential bullying in the workplace.