Overview
- Shogakukan posted an apology on March 9 acknowledging failures in oversight by its MangaONE editorial team and pledging concrete prevention measures.
- A company director had already called the victim on March 5 to apologize and promise steps to avoid a repeat.
- The publisher formed an independent committee to review the hiring process and related works, with reports noting the probe includes the series "星霜の心理士."
- The victim, through her attorney on March 8, said learning of the pseudonymous engagement was a shock and urged transparent disclosure to readers and stronger protections for children.
- Records show the man was arrested in 2020 for sexual misconduct against a teenage student and fined, and the Sapporo District Court on Feb. 20 ordered him to pay ¥11 million in damages.