Disappointment is growing among experts and activists over discussions by a government panel tasked with tackling sexual harassment, an issue drawing increasing attention amid the #MeToo movement and after a top bureaucrat's resignation last year due to alleged harassment of a female reporter.

A report recently compiled by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare's panel on workplace harassment and female empowerment did not call for punitive measures for sexual harassment, apparently out of consideration for the business community, which is said to be concerned about facing higher litigation exposure.

The report, which included proposals for revisions of labor and female empowerment laws, only recommended including a statement saying that any form of harassment "should not be tolerated" and urged private companies to take preventive measures.