The family of a Honda engineer who hanged himself in his office at the Ohio plant after working there for 30 years is filing a lawsuit alleging the pressure of working 120 hours a week led to a car enthusiast’s suicide

The family of a man who hanged himself at a Honda factory has filed a lawsuit against the car company, claiming “inhumane” working conditions led to the worker’s death.

The lawsuit, filed in Ohio’s Union County Court of Common Pleas, alleges that Michael Narazaki was working between 100 and 120 hours a 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 automaker for over 30 years and took his own life after managers refused to accommodate his excessive work schedule.

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

The lawsuit also includes left-behind notes on Honda stationery that were reportedly left at the time of his death by a disturbingly devoted Narazaki, who lived in both Hong Kong and Tokyo before pursuing automotive training in the United States.

The lawsuit, filed in Ohio’s Union County Court of Common Pleas, alleges that Michael Narazaki was working between 100 and 120 hours a week when he hanged himself at the Honda research and development facility near Raymond in 2021. He was only 53 years old

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

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

“I’m so sorry I couldn’t get anything right on this project,” they allegedly said on an evening that was allegedly broadcast in the lawsuit, which was first obtained by The Columbus Dispatch.

“Maybe that’s the only thing I’m doing right.”

In another last-ditch scribble of regret, the longtime car enthusiast reportedly wrote about his Japanese and American counterparts: “They’re drowning!”

According to lawyers for the Narazaki family, which successfully raised more than $53,000 after his death, the lawsuit was a response to the culture allegedly fostered by superiors in the sprawling small-town complex.

There, lawyers write, executives knowingly concealed the “incredible hours” employees were subjected to and repeatedly ignored complaints about “murderous” overtime from people working on the same unnamed project as Narazaki.

“The stress, pressure and exhaustion of Honda’s grueling and inhumane work environment” caused by these various factors, the lawsuit states, “eventually manifested itself in.” [Narazaki’s] Death by suicide.’

It is also argued that Narazaki was the main source of income for his family, which included three children, aged 5, 9 and 11 at the time – the eldest 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 youngsters 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 argues that the project Narazaki worked on is expected to generate profits in excess of $3 billion.

It is also argued that Narazaki was the main source of income for his family, which included three children – two girls, aged five and 11 at the time of his death, and a boy aged nine. The lawsuit seeks damages for wrongful death, emotional distress and unjust enrichment

It is also alleged that the engineer’s death was a product of the culture of Japanese companies, including Honda, which has developed anti-overwork policies in the United States but is notorious in Japan for its overworked employees.

The lawsuit alleges that in Narazaki’s case, officials at the U.S. factory where he worked for decades violated regulations these guidelines.

“Honda’s Japanese-style workweek hours merely trickled down to its U.S.-based subsidiaries, where death-over-work protections were not formalized by the government,” the lawsuit says.

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

“My heart aches for Michael’s wife, his children and for the community at large who knows how productive Honda is as an employer. “It’s truly shameful.”

In a statement released over the weekend, Honda – which has 12 manufacturing plants across the country, with the Raymond plant actually being its first – declined to comment on the substance of the lawsuit, saying it is an ongoing legal matter.

Spokesman Chris Abbruzzese said: “The loss of an employee is difficult and we continue to express our deepest condolences to the Narazaki family on the loss of our employee Michael Narazaki.”

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

Meanwhile, a memorial shared by relatives on GoFundMe painted a heartfelt picture of the late car manufacturer.

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

“He loved camping trips, cycling and skiing with his family and, despite his intense work schedule, was eager to spend as much time with them as possible.”

“A skilled craftsman and amateur carpenter, Michael took pride in improving the family home, building a pantry and transforming an open 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 was also a devoted athlete and musician and concluded, “He was a kind soul.” We will remember his all-knowing, clever yet shy smile and his calm presence as a husband, father, brother , son, uncle and friend deeply missed.

“Rest in peace Michael, we love you very much.”