Shogakukan recently announced the establishment of a third-party committee to investigate the controversies surrounding the 'Manga One' app, particularly focusing on the decision to hire a manga artist who was previously involved in sexual abuse incidents as an original author. This decision has raised significant concerns and led to a thorough investigation into how such choices are made and what protocols are in place regarding similar situations that may involve other employees or executives. The committee will also look into past incidents to ensure comprehensive oversight of hiring practices within the organization.

On February 20 of this year, the Sapporo District Court ruled against a former teacher from a private high school in Hokkaido, who had exploited his position to sexually assault a former student. The court ordered him to pay 11 million yen in damages to the victim, a ruling that has drawn public attention to the broader issues of sexual misconduct in educational environments. Both the former teacher and the victim have filed appeals, which has kept the case in the public eye and highlighted the need for accountability in related professional fields.

The committee, chaired by Atty. Toshihiko Itami, former head of the Osaka High Public Prosecutor's Office, alongside other legal experts, aims to thoroughly evaluate Shogakukan's hiring practices to prevent future incidents and to restore public trust in the organization. As the report’s timeline is still undecided, the outcomes of the committee's investigations could lead to significant changes in how Shogakukan manages its workforce and addresses allegations of misconduct.