Japan’s education sector faces backlash over severe punishment

A school principal in Japan has been dismissed from his position and stripped of his $133,000 pension after allegedly stealing less than 50 cents worth of coffee. The 59-year-old principal was caught taking more coffee than he had paid for at a convenience store in Takasago, Hyogo Prefecture.

The incident, which occurred on December 21, saw the principal pay for a regular-sized coffee but fill his cup using the button for a large coffee, costing 180 yen ($1.22) instead of the 110 yen (74 cents) he paid. He admitted to this behaviour, stating that it was done ‘on the impulse of the moment’.

This was not an isolated incident, as he confessed to similar thefts at the same store on two other occasions and at a different store four times, totalling approximately 490 yen ($3.26) in stolen coffee.

Although prosecutors decided not to indict him, citing the small scale of the thefts, the Hyogo Prefectural Board of Education opted for the most severe form of punishment, including revoking his teaching license and stripping him of his pension.

Critics have argued that the punishment was disproportionate to the offence, suggesting that alternatives such as reprimands or pay cuts could have been considered. The board, however, defended its decision, stating that it followed the guidelines for disciplinary actions, which recommend suspension or dismissal for theft.

The case has sparked debate in Japan’s education sector, with some questioning the fairness and proportionality of the punishment imposed on the principal.