Report: Female Employee Sues Konami For Discrimination

A female Konami employee sued the Metal Gear publisher for discrimination, after an alleged demotion and pay cut following maternity leave, according to a new report on web log Kotaku (original Japanese piece available on MSN). Yoko Sekiguchi, 36, claims that she went on maternity leave in October last year, and returned the following April. But upon return, Konami allegedly demoted her and docked her pay by ¥200,000 ($2,000) per month, citing the "burden" of child rearing. "This is discrimination aimed at female employees who chose to take maternity leave," she said. "...I decided to take legal action because fellow female employees are experiencing the same type of treatment." According to the report, Sekiguchi is suing for ¥33 million ($344,000) in damages. Sekiguchi negotiated licensing deals for Konami's Pro Evolution Soccer soccer franchise.