The Board of Trustees at Sophia School Corporation (main campus: Chiyoda-ku Tokyo, Chancellor Toshiaki Koso) met on March 27, 2013 and finalized the decision to dismiss Toshiki Takano, President of Sophia University Junior College Division in Hadanoshi, Kanagawa Prefecture, effective on the same day for his disorderly conduct. President of Sophia University, Dr. Tadashi Takizawa was formally appointed to the post of President of Junior College Division and assumed the office March 28, 2013. President Takizawa will be holding two offices as the President of Sophia University and the Junior College Division.
The fact has been confirmed that one of the students enrolled at the Junior College Division has been sexually harassed by former President Takano over the period of August to September 2012. His disorderly conduct has led him to a dismissal from the College. The Council has held the Chancellor together with 5 trustees of Sophia School Corporation responsible for appointing Mr. Toshiki Takano to head the Junior College Division and thereby decided to enforce 50% pay cuts for 2 months.
We extend our deepest and sincere apologies to the victim of sexual abuse and her family who will have to endure pain and sorrow caused by this most unacceptable incident.
Moreover, we convey our profound apologies to all our students at the Junior College Division and their parents and our long-standing partners who are deeply saddened to hear of this most distressful incident happened to one of our young students.
We will ensure you that every effort will be made to improve the morals of every faculty and staff members at Sophia School Corporation and we will make a solemn promise to you and to everyone that such crime will never be committed to our students.
