News On Japan

Brazilian Players Allege Sexual Harassment in Japan

IZUMO, Nov 08 (News On Japan) - Two players from Japan’s Nadeshiko League have taken the rare step of publicly accusing their club of harassment, naming Diossa Izumo FC as the site of alleged sexual and power harassment by the team’s head coach.

Laura Spezzato, 26: "We did not come to Japan to be slaves to bullying and harassment."

On October 6th, two Brazilian players from Diossa Izumo FC in the second division of the Nadeshiko League held a press conference in Izumo, Shimane Prefecture, revealing details of the alleged harassment. Both players wore the team’s key numbers, 9 and 10, signaling the high expectations placed on them.

According to their attorney, between 2022 and August 2024, the players faced repeated sexual harassment, with the head coach using a Portuguese slang term for male genitalia to address them during practices and matches whenever they made mistakes.

Attorney for the players: "The coach knew that both Laura and Tais were uncomfortable, yet he continued using these words over three seasons. This is extremely malicious behavior."

Additionally, the players allege the coach hung underwear in a storage room used by players and that despite their protests, he did not cease these actions.

There were also discriminatory remarks from a coach, who reportedly mocked the players' lack of Japanese language skills.

The Brazilian players claim that although the club was contracted to provide interpreters for practices and games, an interpreter was only arranged about once per week. When the players raised the interpreter issue through staff in May 2024, the coach allegedly threatened them, saying, “Then I won’t let you play.”

Diagnosed with depression by a physician, both players left the team in August 2024.

Laura Spezzato: "I can’t sleep from the headaches... I feel like going home. I should love soccer, but I can’t find the energy to play the sport I love."

Tais Fehe, 25: "I'm frustrated that I can’t play the sport I love."

Through their attorney, the players have filed a complaint with the Japan Women’s Soccer League, demanding the coach’s dismissal.

Attorney for the players: "The soccer world is still far behind. It has a unique village-like atmosphere that preserves power harassment and old-fashioned leadership styles."

The club responded at a press conference held on the same day.

Diossa Sports Club, an NPO, Chairman: "I can’t understand why things have come to this when they had such a good relationship. It’s a complete mystery."

The club's internal investigation claimed the Portuguese words used were common slang during mistakes, with no intent of discrimination, and they have reported the situation to the Japan Women’s Soccer League. The club will continue to confirm the facts.

Source: FNN

News On Japan
POPULAR NEWS

From April 1st, a new regulation took effect across Osaka Prefecture requiring all restaurants with a customer seating area larger than 30 square meters to become entirely smoke-free indoors—unless they install a designated smoking room. Establishments violating the rule face fines of up to 50,000 yen, while customers may be fined up to 30,000 yen.

The Imperial Household Agency launched an official YouTube channel on April 1st to introduce the activities of Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako.

Japan's new fiscal year began on April 1st, with companies across the country holding entrance ceremonies to welcome new employees.

The Japanese government has released an updated damage forecast for a potential Nankai Trough megaquake, estimating that up to 298,000 people could die in the worst-case scenario. This projection reflects a slight reduction from the previous estimate of 332,000 deaths made 13 years ago.

The Japan Meteorological Agency announced on March 30th that cherry blossoms (Somei-Yoshino) in central Tokyo have reached full bloom, one day earlier than the historical average and five days earlier than last year.

MEDIA CHANNELS
         

MORE Sports NEWS

If you were to ask a random person on the street, “Who are the best marathoners on Earth?”, you’d almost certainly hear one answer… The East Africans. Nowadays, they’re synonymous with distance running but until quite recently there was another powerhouse on the global scene… The Japanese. (Ran To Japan)

The IG Arena, a new venue that will host events for the 2026 Asian and Asian Para Games in Aichi and other areas, has been completed, with a handover ceremony held on March 29th, 2025.

Trevor Bauer, a former Major League Baseball pitcher, has rejoined his team in Japan, the Yokohama DeNA BayStars. In his latest video titled "I Rejoined My Team In Japan," Bauer shares his experiences and the journey back to playing baseball in Japan. (Trevor Bauer)

Jon Morosi narrates a short story about the connection that baseball has created between Japan and Major League Baseball. (MLB Network)

Ahead of the Major League Baseball season opener at Tokyo Dome, samurai doll displays featuring Japanese players were unveiled on Tuesday at Kyugetsu's headquarters in Taito Ward, Tokyo.

Ahead of the Major League Baseball season opener at Tokyo Dome, samurai doll displays featuring Japanese players were unveiled on Tuesday at Kyugetsu's headquarters in Taito Ward, Tokyo.

Dodgers pitcher Sasaki made his first start in a Major League Baseball spring training game on March 11th, throwing four scoreless innings against the Guardians in Glendale, Arizona. He allowed just one hit while striking out two and walking two.

SoftBank Hawks pitcher Jun Maeda delivered an outstanding performance against the reigning Central League champion Yomiuri Giants, shutting them out over six innings in a preseason game on March 11th.