A former performer at Tokyo Disneyland has had her claim for 3.85 million yen in damages rejected by a Japanese court, after alleging that the company failed to prevent work-related injuries. The Chiba District Court ruled that Oriental Land Co could not have predicted the extent of the plaintiff’s injuries and had not breached its duty of care.
The lawsuit, filed by a former contract worker in her 30s and her support group, stated that she began working for Oriental Land in February 2015 and appeared in shows and parades wearing character costumes that weighed 10-30 kilograms. In January 2017, she developed severe arm pain and was diagnosed with thoracic outlet syndrome. The Labor Standard Inspection Office recognized a causal relationship between her work and her symptoms in August of the same year, certifying her as having suffered a work-related injury.
The presiding judge, Tadahiro Okayama, stated that Oriental Land could not have foreseen the deterioration of the plaintiff’s condition to the extent that she needed to reduce her work duties. He concluded that the company had not breached its duty of care. This ruling comes as a blow to the former performer and her support group, who were seeking damages totaling 3.85 million yen from the operator of Tokyo Disneyland.
The case has shed light on the physical demands that performers at Tokyo Disneyland face, particularly those who wear heavy character costumes during shows and parades. The former contract worker’s experience serves as a reminder of the potential for work-related injuries in such an environment.
Although the plaintiff’s claim for damages has been rejected, this case has prompted discussion about the duty of care owed to employees, particularly in industries where physical demands are inherent in the job. The ruling may lead to increased awareness of workplace safety and measures to prevent work-related injuries in similar settings.
This decision by the Chiba District Court has implications for the treatment of work-related injuries and the responsibility of employers to ensure the well-being of their employees. While the former performer’s claim for damages has been dismissed, this case has drawn attention to the importance of prioritizing employee safety and taking measures to prevent work-related injuries.
The rejection of the damages claim by the Japanese court serves as a reminder of the legal and ethical responsibilities of employers to protect the health and well-being of their employees. This case has brought to light the physical challenges faced by performers at Tokyo Disneyland and the need for measures to prevent work-related injuries in such environments.
Despite the court’s ruling, the former contract worker’s experience has sparked conversations about the duty of care owed to employees, particularly in industries with physical demands. This case may lead to increased awareness of workplace safety and measures to prevent work-related injuries in similar settings. The outcome of this case will likely have a lasting impact on the treatment of work-related injuries and the steps taken by employers to ensure the safety of their employees.
