Japan worker, 19, dies after falling from tower, suicide note claims co-worker told him to 'just die'

About a week after a 19-year-old worker in Japan died after falling from a 40 metre-tall transmission tower, his family said that he had left behind a suicide note.

The police of the local prefecture said that on Sep. 9, Kazuki Matsuoka had been on the tower to check for damage to cables following an early-morning lightning strike, Japan Today reported.

Three colleagues from his company, Shikoku Electric Power Transmission & Distribution Co, were also there with him.

Matsuoka was descending the tower when he fell.

He had been wearing safety equipment while working, but they were found detached from his body afterwards.

Alleged workplace bullying

The alleged suicide note was discovered among Matsuoka's belongings, and given to his family the day after the incident.

It was shared with local media on Sep. 15.

In the note, Matsuoka talked about experiencing verbal abuse and bullying by his co-workers.

One of them told him to "just die", he claimed.

During a work-related dinner, he was allegedly forced to eat something he was allergic to, which made his mouth itch.

He also apologised to his parents in the note, saying, "I'm really sorry that I let you down, that I died so early and that I was weak-hearted."

Investigation

His parents have called on the company to investigate what happened to their son and not "brush it under the rug".

Matsuoka had joined the company in April, and after a four-month training period, he was assigned to the field.

The branch of the company where he worked at said that executives had received a copy of the alleged suicide note from the family.

The company said it is "considering an investigation that includes an external probe by experts, and will respond sincerely".