The Tokyo District Court on Friday quashed a demand by a former manager of Prada Japan that the firm pay her ¥58 million in damages for sexual harassment, ruling that telling her to lose weight wasn't so bad given that Prada is in the fashion business.
"It may be insensitive for the president to tell an employee (to lose weight), but considering the nature of Prada's business (and other factors), it cannot be recognized that it is bad enough to cause emotional distress worth compensation," the court said.
Plaintiff Rina Bovrisse said afterward, "This ruling means the company and bosses can do whatever they want and anything is allowed in workplaces of the fashion industry."