Harassment Awareness and Actual Conditions Survey: 'Mood Harassment' Ranks 1st for Perpetration Experience, 60% Positive Impression for Companies Implementing Customer Harassment Measures

Nippon Information Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Chuo-ku, Tokyo; President and CEO: Keita Saito), a comprehensive marketing research company, conducted the "Harassment Survey 2026: Realities of Communication Updating with Society and Values" targeting 1,069 working men and women aged 23-65 nationwide via internet research. The survey period was from March 18 to March 20, 2026. Past harassment-related survey reports can be found here: - "Communication Realities in an Era Requiring Consideration: Harassment Survey" - "Be Cautious in the New Fiscal Year: Harassment Awareness Survey" Findings from the survey results: ■Findings1 "Fukihara" (mood harassment), newly surveyed this time, surpassed well-known harassment types such as "sexual harassment," "power harassment," "customer harassment," and "moral harassment" to rank 1st in "experienced perpetrating" and 2nd (after "power harassment") in "experienced being subjected to." Harassment awareness rates and experiences generally showed a flat to slightly decreasing trend compared to previous surveys. While direct acts like "power harassment" are decreasing due to increased social awareness, attention and interest are shifting towards indirect acts such as "Fukihara" and "Sumehara" (smell harassment). ■Findings2 Regarding the implementation of "customer harassment countermeasures," which will become mandatory in the future, there is a significant impact on corporate and brand image. 49.6% believe that "trustworthiness increases (TOP2)" and 57.0% believe that "favorability increases (TOP2)" for companies that implement such measures. On the other hand, a certain number of consumers expressed concerns, with 39.5% feeling that "it becomes difficult to convey inquiries or opinions (TOP2)" and 40.4% feeling "anxiety about losing service flexibility (TOP2)." Therefore, a balanced approach is required in the future to thoroughly implement countermeasures while avoiding increased dissatisfaction from general consumers. ■Findings3 Regarding harassment (unpleasantness) felt with the use of various AI, the top concerns (TOP2) were "being forced AI answers, such as AI being correct" and "having one's images processed or used by AI without permission," both exceeding 40%. Concerns about being forced to use AI or being prohibited/restricted from using AI were slightly lower, in the 30% range. The feeling of harassment (unpleasantness) regarding AI use was generally higher among women than men. *Detailed survey results (including other questions / cross-tabulated data with attribute-based analysis / report) are available for free. If you wish to receive the report, please download it from the link below. Download detailed survey results and materials here. Main Survey Results: ① Harassment Awareness Overall harassment awareness shows "sexual harassment" at 63.2% and "power harassment" at 62.4% as the top two. These are followed by "customer harassment," "moral harassment," "maternity harassment," and "alcohol harassment" in that order. While there are no significant changes in the ranking of top harassment types, each awareness rate has slightly decreased from the previous survey. However, "customer harassment" maintains an awareness rate at or above the previous level. Among the harassment types newly surveyed this time, "Fukihara" (mood harassment) at 21.0% is relatively high, with awareness being higher among women aged 40 and above by gender and age group. ② List of Harassment Awareness and Experience For harassment awareness and experience, "sexual harassment," "power harassment," "customer harassment," and "moral harassment," which have high awareness rates, also rank high in experiences of being subjected to or witnessing. "Power harassment" is the highest, with over 10% each for experiences of being subjected to and witnessing. Although "Fukihara" (mood harassment) awareness remains at 21.0%, it is the highest at 4.7% for "experienced perpetrating" and also ranks high in experiences of being subjected to and witnessing. ③ Comparison of Harassment Experience with Previous Surveys *Based on those aware (only harassment types recognized and aware of can be selected) Experiences of harassment, including perpetrating, being subjected to, and witnessing, generally show a slight decreasing trend for many harassment types compared to the previous two surveys. Among these, "Sumehara" (smell harassment) witnessed experience slightly increased from the previous two surveys. This could be influenced by increased opportunities to remove masks and heightened awareness of sweat due to recent intense heat. ④ Awareness Regarding Implementation of "Customer Harassment Countermeasures" The impact on corporate/brand image from implementing "customer harassment countermeasures" shows that "trustworthiness increases" (TOP2) is 49.6% and "favorability increases" (TOP2) is 57.0%. Demonstrating an attitude that does not tolerate harassment increases the "trustworthiness" of the company/brand.