NAGANO (Kyodo) A 35-year-old former secretary to Democratic Party of Japan lawmaker Mitsu Shimojo applied for workers' compensation in August, saying he came down with depression after Shimojo shouted at him and forced him to work overtime without pay, it was learned Wednesday.
The former secretary worked at Shimojo's office from January 2007 to March 2009. He went to a hospital in Matsumoto, Nagano Prefecture, and was diagnosed with clinical depression in April.
Shimojo allegedly threatened to kill the former secretary when he made mistakes and told him that he might lose his job. The former secretary said he worked 80 to 90 hours of unpaid overtime per month.
Shimojo's office acknowledged it has received a call from the labor bureau in Matsumoto, but denied the lawmaker made threatening remarks to the former secretary.