Japan City Worker Fired May 23: 185 Gym Visits During Work Hours

A 26-year-old employee of Nishinomiya City in Hyogo Prefecture, Japan, was terminated on May 22 after authorities discovered he visited gyms at least 185 times during work hours between November 2022 and January 2026. The health and welfare department worker spent approximately 296 hours at fitness facilities while claiming to be on official business, with visits peaking at 10 times monthly. He also submitted expense claims for parking fees incurred during gym visits. The dismissal marks a significant accountability measure in Japanese public sector employment, raising questions about workplace supervision and employee conduct standards.

Misconduct Details and Discovery

The employee, working as a case worker, falsely reported visiting disability facilities and hospitals while actually attending gyms across Hyogo and Osaka prefectures. Gym records documented his 185 visits over the three-year period. A colleague spotted him at a fitness facility in January 2026, triggering the investigation that exposed the systematic abuse of work time. The worker claimed approximately 296 hours away from his desk, representing significant lost productivity and breach of public trust.

Financial Impact and Consequences

Nishinomiya City demanded the employee return approximately 560,000 yen (roughly $3,700 USD) in wages earned during unauthorized absences. The figure includes salary paid while he was physically absent from work duties. Additionally, the city rejected expense claims for parking fees submitted during gym visits, treating them as fraudulent reimbursement requests. The dismissal represents the city’s strongest disciplinary response to workplace misconduct in recent years.

Employee’s Explanation and Workplace Culture

The worker attributed his behavior to severe workplace stress, stating he felt unable to remain at the office and needed to escape. He explained that he experienced significant anxiety about his job performance and struggled with the demands of his position as a case worker. His explanation raised concerns about workplace mental health support and whether the city provided adequate resources for struggling employees. The case highlights potential gaps in employee assistance programs within Japanese municipal government.

Broader Implications for Public Sector Accountability

This incident underscores the importance of monitoring systems and accountability measures in government employment. The discovery relied on a colleague’s chance observation rather than systematic oversight, suggesting potential weaknesses in attendance tracking. Japanese public sector agencies now face increased scrutiny regarding employee supervision practices and the need for transparent accountability frameworks. The case serves as a cautionary example for other municipalities regarding workplace conduct standards.

Final Thoughts

The termination of the Nishinomiya City employee demonstrates Japan’s commitment to public sector accountability and ethical conduct standards. While the worker’s stress-related explanation raises important questions about workplace mental health support, the systematic abuse of work time and fraudulent expense claims warranted decisive disciplinary action. This case reinforces the need for balanced approaches combining employee welfare with transparent oversight mechanisms in government organizations.

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