"I was just joking." "Sometimes you have to be strict." "You have to get her used to reality." "I just wanted to give you some good advice.": These are roughly the most common responses you get when Interviewing people who have harassed or discriminated against subordinates in work contexts.

They come from a remarkable educational video about abuse of power in local politics that is causing a sensation in Japan.

It came after a law promoting equality in politics was amended in June 2021, directing parliaments to implement anti-discrimination measures.

The video has been available on the public YouTube channel of the Cabinet Office, which reports to the Prime Minister, since mid-April.

It shows in re-enactments how two fictional young politicians, Ms. Ichihigashi and Mr. Futani, are harassed or discriminated against.

The scenes are based on the evaluation of 1,324 documented cases that local politicians were able to report on a website between October 14 and November 14, 2021.

Lawyers and political scientists then reviewed the cases.

Seven chapters now explain where abuse of power, discrimination and sexual harassment begin, how victims feel, the consequences of behavior fueled by firmly anchored role models in Japan, and what the perpetrators are thinking – with which the video, which unfortunately only existed until now in Japanese there

On her very first day, Ms. Ichiigashi is asked by senior cabinet colleague Minami to make tea, as it "tastes better when a young woman makes it."

By the way, he does it "with everyone," that's part of it.

In another scene, Mr. Futani is forced to drink at a party by Minami - "don't be a coward and a fun killer" - while he puts his arm around Ms. Ichiigashi during the karaoke duet.

After each scene, sober text panels explain why the behavior can be claimed as abuse of power, sexual harassment or discrimination.

Towards the end, the video addresses the consequences that behavior in real cases also has for the perpetrators: loss of reputation through media reports and public apologies.

Seiko Noda, Japan's Minister of Gender Equality and Fertility Reduction,

said the video, which will be shown at municipal office training seminars, is relevant "not just for MPs, but for everyone".

Something is happening in Japan.

That could go to school.