BY BEN L. KAUFMAN
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Culture clash led to assault and racial and sex discrimination at a Hillsboro, Ohio, factory, according to a suit filed in U.S. District Court on Monday.
The complaint was filed by Ariana Bolden Jackson, an African-American, who works for Weastec Inc., a supplier of switches to the auto industry. Toyomi Fukashima, identified as a Japanese adviser at the factory, is the co-defendant.
Ms. Jackson said her problems began in October 1996, when she accepted a reassignment as a team leader on a new production line. She said that brought her into "more frequent contact with the Japanese management of Weastec, who were not pleased to have an African-American team leader."
For the following year, Ms. Jackson said, she was "constantly harassed, watched and criticized by Japanese management."
Japanese officials provided help and consideration to the white male team leaders not given to her, Ms. Jackson said.
She said Mr. Fukashima grabbed and assaulted her in January 1997, when he threatened to spray her with a bottle of isopropyl alcohol. There were "several other incidents that involved physical contact," Ms. Jackson said. Eventually, she said, she was transferred "to a less visible position on the line."
Ms. Jackson said she complained but the company bosses failed "to effectively and adequately reprimand" Mr. Fukashima.
Her suit seeks unspecified damages.
Asked about Ms. Jackson's allegations, Weastec Vice President Les Bloedel said he had not seen the suit and would not comment.
Ms. Jackson could not be reached Tuesday for comment, and a Weastec operator said Mr. Fukashima did not speak English.
