A record 141 teachers were punished for committing obscene acts in fiscal 2000, resulting in 71 dismissals, an education ministry report revealed Wednesday.
According to the annual survey by the Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Ministry, the number of punished teachers at elementary, junior high and high schools was up by 26 from the previous year's high of 115, with 1.4 times as many teachers being dismissed for their behavior.
Students comprised the bulk of the victims, with the ministry blaming a decline in teachers' morals. The number of such cases has been steadily increasing, with six times as many teachers being punished in 2000 for obscene acts than in 1990.
In terms of punishment, 71 were dismissed, 20 resigned at the urging of their employers, 25 were suspended from duties, six received salary cuts, six were warned about their behavior and 13 were admonished.