Tokyo unveiled new educator protection rules as the metropolitan Board of Education drafted guidelines to address growing concerns over aggressive parental behavior. These educator protection rules aim to shield teachers and administrators from excessive demands, verbal abuse and online slander.
Officials said the guidelines will introduce clear procedures for handling difficult parent interactions. They emphasized that these steps will support a healthier school environment and help teachers focus on student needs. The board began developing the framework after Tokyo launched Japan’s first anti-customer-harassment ordinance earlier this year.
According to education officials, some parents have increasingly treated teachers like customer service workers. Teachers reported long meetings, repeated complaints and harsh language that disrupted normal school operations. Consequently, the board designed the guidelines to reduce pressure on educators while improving communication standards.
The draft outlines several major requirements. Schools must record conversations with parents and notify them beforehand. They must also limit parent-teacher meetings to under 30 minutes after the school day ends. However, the guidelines allow an extension of up to one hour when necessary. Officials said this structure will prevent excessively long disputes that drain staff time.
The guidelines also establish a tiered response system. The first two meetings should involve multiple teachers, ensuring shared responsibility. Administrative staff, such as deputy principals, will join from the third meeting. Psychologists and lawyers will participate from the fourth meeting to provide specialized support. From the fifth meeting onward, a lawyer will represent the school directly. Officials said this escalation will protect staff while preserving fairness.
Schools must also increase the number of staff assisting in cases of extreme parental misconduct. About five employees should help handle situations involving parents who cross acceptable boundaries. The guidelines further instruct schools to contact police if a parent becomes violent, uses abusive language or refuses to leave school property.
Additionally, schools should request the removal of defamatory online posts targeting teachers. The guidelines emphasize mental health support for educators facing prolonged harassment. Officials stressed that protecting staff well-being remains a core priority.
The Tokyo government plans to release the draft to the public soon and finalize details within the academic year ending in March. The new educator protection rules will apply to elementary, junior high, high schools and other metropolitan institutions starting next school year. Local governments across Tokyo’s wards and municipalities are also expected to adopt the framework.
