Police chief warns female officers, “We don’t cook in the dormitory. Female officers will have a hard time preparing to be a bride,” and “the birth rate is declining”

A male police chief from the Machida precinct has resigned following a reprimand for making sexually harassing remarks to a female subordinate. The Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department issued the reprimand on July 7, and the 59-year-old police chief resigned on July 18. According to senior officials, the chief made inappropriate comments during an April social gathering, suggesting that female officers living in a dormitory would struggle with “bride training” because they don’t cook their own meals, and mentioning declining birth rates. The incident came to light after an anonymous tip-off. The chief reportedly expressed regret, stating he had intended to be careful in his interactions with employees.