Family of Honda engineer who hanged himself in his office at Ohio plant after working there for 30 years files lawsuit saying pressure to do 120 hours-a-week led to car fanatic’s suicide

The family of a man who hanged himself at a Honda factory has filed a lawsuit against the car company. They claim that ‘inhumane’ working conditions led to the worker’s death.

The lawsuit, filed in the Union County Court of Common Pleas in Ohio, alleges that Michael Narazaki had been working between 100 and 120 hours per week when he hanged himself at the Honda Research and Development facility near Raymond in 2021.

It goes on to say that the engineer – who was just 53 when he died – had worked for the Japanese carmaker for more than 30 years and committed suicide after managers refused to address his over-the-top work schedule.

The father-of-three’s body was discovered by staffers in his office on October 11 that year and quickly raised questions about conditions at the factory, where Narazaki had worked since 1990 after graduating from the prestigious Carnegie Mellon University .

The lawsuit also includes notes on Honda stationery allegedly left by a disturbingly devoted Narazaki – who lived in both Hong Kong and Tokyo before pursuing automotive training in the US – at the time of his death.

The lawsuit states that Narazaki had worked at the Ohio plant for more than 30 years and hanged himself after managers refused to accommodate his excessive work schedule. His dead body was found in his office at the facility, and the suit contains writings believed to be his suicide notes

In one, the “beloved car fanatic” begged for forgiveness for failing to meet bosses’ expectations on an unspecified project, writing that he hoped his death would help ease the pressure on his colleagues.

“I’m so sorry I couldn’t do anything right on this project,” the suit, first obtained by The Columbus Dispatch, allegedly said one evening.

“Maybe this is the only thing I understand correctly.”

In another last-ditch effort full of regretful language, the longtime car enthusiast reportedly wrote of his Japanese and American colleagues: “They are drowning!”

According to lawyers representing the Narazaki family – who successfully raised more than $53,000 after his death – the claim came in response to the culture allegedly instilled by the bosses of the sprawling small town.

It was there, attorneys write, that executives knowingly masked the “scandalous hours” employees were forced to endure, and repeatedly ignored complaints about “grueling” overtime from people working on the same unnamed project as Narazaki.

“The stress, pressure and exhaustion of Honda’s grueling and inhumane work atmosphere,” created by these various factors, the complaint alleges, “ultimately manifested itself in (Narazaki’s) death by suicide.”

It is also alleged that Narazaki was the main source of income for his family, which included three children who were then aged 5, 9 and 11; the oldest and youngest were girls and the middle child was a boy.

His wife, Miki Ushiba, claims that after his death, she was forced to move the young people across the country so they could be closer to family in Seattle after being traumatized by their father’s sudden death.

The lawsuit seeks damages for wrongful death, emotional distress and unjust enrichment, and states that the project Narazaki worked on is expected to generate more than $3 billion in profits.

It is also alleged that Narazaki was the main source of income for his family, which includes three children: two girls who were 5 and 11 years old at the time of his death, and a boy aged 9. The lawsuit seeks damages for wrongful death. , emotional distress and unjust enrichment

It also claims that the engineer’s death was a product of the culture preached at Japanese companies, including Honda – which has developed policies in the US to tackle overwork but is notorious in Japan for having overworked workers are.

The lawsuit alleges that in Narazaki’s case, staff at the U.S. factory where he worked for decades failed to follow the rules this policy.

“Honda’s Japanese-style workweek hours have only trickled down to its U.S. subsidiaries, where the government has not formalized protections against overtime death,” the lawsuit said.

Lead attorney Austin LiPuma, of the Cincinnati law firm Freking, Myers & Reul, told the Dispatch, “It really shocks the conscience.”

“My heart is broken for Michael’s wife, children and for the community at large who know how productive Honda is as an employer. It’s really a shame.’

In a statement shared this weekend, Honda – which has 12 factories across the country, of which Raymond is actually the first – declined to comment on the contents of the lawsuit, saying it is an ongoing legal meter.

Spokesman Chris Abbruzzese said, “The loss of an employee is difficult, and we would like to express our deepest condolences to the Narazaki family for the loss of our employee Michael Narazaki.

“As this is a legal matter, we cannot comment further on it.”

A memorial shared by family members on GoFundMe, meanwhile, painted a heartfelt picture of the late automaker.

‘Michael was a devoted husband and a loving father to his three children (ages 5, 9 and 11). They warmed his heart and easily brought out his playfulness.

“He loved camping, biking and skiing with his family, and wanted to spend as much time with them as possible despite his busy work schedule.

‘A skilled handyman and amateur carpenter, Michael took pride in improving the family home, building a pantry and transforming an open plan space into a study.

‘One of Michael’s most prized possessions was his Honda S2000 “Club Racer” hardtop convertible, which he enjoyed driving around the Tail of the Dragon in North Carolina.’

The tribute added that Narazaki had also been a dedicated athlete and musician, concluding: “He was a kind soul. We will deeply miss his all-knowing, cunning, yet shy smile and his quiet presence as a husband, father, brother, son, uncle and friend.

“Rest in peace, Michael, we love you dearly.”