Nobuhiko Bisake, the president of Kobe Gakuin University, offered his resignation on June 25, 2026, following allegations of power harassment [1], [3].

The resignation marks a significant leadership failure at the Kobe-based institution, highlighting the ongoing struggle within Japanese academia to address workplace abuse and institutional accountability.

The decision followed a series of complaints from five university employees [4] who reported being subjected to verbal abuse and an intimidating atmosphere. A third-party committee investigated the claims and subsequently identified eight separate instances of inappropriate behavior [1].

One staff member, speaking anonymously, said they received verbal abuse and an intimidating attitude from the president [2]. The reports detailed a pattern of behavior that created a hostile work environment for subordinates within the university administration.

Bisake addressed the findings and the impact of his actions. "I have done something regrettable to the victims," Bisake said [2].

A spokesperson for Kobe Gakuin University said that the institution takes the situation seriously. The representative said the university will put all its effort into creating an environment where students and all related parties can learn and work with peace of mind [3].

The resignation process began yesterday, with the news becoming public today, June 26 [3], [4]. The university has not yet detailed the specific disciplinary actions that may follow the third-party committee's findings beyond the president's departure.

“"I have done something regrettable to the victims,"”

This incident reflects a broader trend in Japan where 'power harassment'—the abuse of authority in the workplace—is facing increased scrutiny. By utilizing a third-party committee to verify claims, Kobe Gakuin University followed a formal transparency protocol that made the president's position untenable. The resignation suggests that academic institutions are becoming less tolerant of traditional top-down intimidation tactics in favor of modern labor standards.