The Japanese version is the authoritative version, and this English translation is intended for reference
purposes only. Should any discrepancies or doubt arise between two versions, the Japanese version willprevail.

March 17, 2006
University of Tokyo Board of Directors

Declaration on the Prevention of Academic Harassment at the University of TokyoAs the Preface to the Charter of the University of Tokyo states, “A university originates from thefundamental character of academic pursuits that are conducive to intellectual growth and open to theinfinite development of human possibilities. This requires freedom and autonomy,” the Universityfirmly recognizes the importance of freedom and autonomy in allowing members of universities tofulfill their social mission of enhancing and promoting education and research. In other words, thisfreedom and autonomy is built on the freedom and autonomy of each and every member of auniversity’s academic community, and the university possesses a variety of systems to guarantee thisfreedom and autonomy.
However, in an environment with such generous guarantees of freedom and autonomy, power
relationships arise between members of universities that are not seen in the rest of society. Taking theexample of faculty members and students or people in equivalent positions, an unequal power
relationship exists between the person providing education, instruction or assessment and therecipient of these actions. Faculty have huge influence over their students. It goes without sayingthat this authority is granted to faculty with the aim of achieving the objective of education, andeducation requires strictness. However, the preconditions are that students are accepted as equal
individuals and that their individuality be respected. The education, instruction and assessment givenby faculty to students must only ever be impartial, neutral, fair and just.
Wherever there is power, there is the risk of the abuse of power. This applies particularly touniversities, which are guaranteed great freedom and autonomy for the purposes of education andresearch. Paragraph 19 of the Charter of the University of Tokyo states: “The University will strive
to provide a fair education, research, and working environment where all its members can adequately
manifest their individuality and abilities.” In order to achieve this goal, there must be a system inplace to prevent the abuse of power.
Academic harassment is a violation of personal rights, when a university member abuses his or her
authority in an educational and research setting, and speaks or acts improperly and unfairly toanother member of the university. Consequently, the recipient of harassment is hindered fromstudying, receiving education, conducting research, or performing duties, or it causes mental andphysical suffering that will inevitably hinder him or her from studying, receiving education,
conducting research, or performing duties. Such behavior is included among the infringements uponbasic human rights referred to under Paragraph 19 of the Charter of the University of Tokyo.
Inflicting and incurring damage through academic harassment does not only occur within the narrowand prescribed relationship between a faculty member and a student. It is important to remember thata broad range of language and behavior can be deemed as academic harassment, including language

1and behavior that abuse authority and damage or remove the “fair education, research, and working
environment where all its members can adequately manifest their individuality and abilities” (whichis guaranteed for all members of the University of Tokyo) within the context of an unequal power
relationship between the involved parties.
In order to prevent and resolve academic harassment, the most important thing is to strive to takeactions and improve the environment in a way that suits the academic and research environment ofeach department of the University. There is also a pressing need for each department to takeresponsibility for developing its own systems for preventing and resolving academic harassment.
The University of Tokyo is determined to combine the strength of the entire university and each ofits departments in order to prevent and resolve academic harassment.

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