Tokyo police wrongly apologize to family who lost their loved ones

Tokyo police and prosecutors publicly apologized on Monday when they visited the family and grave of Shizuo Aishima, a victim of Japan’s “hostage justice” system. Aishima was arrested in 2020 with two company executives from chemical machinery manufacturer Ohkawara Kakohki. They were detained for several months in pretrial custody. Aishima died sadly, and then prosecutors filed charges against the three men.

“We apologize for conducting illegal investigations and arrests. We are also very sorry for the great trouble caused by the family of the deceased,” said Tetsuro Kamata, deputy director of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). Hiroshi Ichikawa, deputy chief prosecutor of the Tokyo District Attorney’s Office, added: “The request for illegal detention and prosecution has resulted in serious human rights violations. We provide the deepest apology.”

Shizuo Aishima’s wife “will not be forgiven” police officer

Aishima’s wife replied, “I accept the apology, but I cannot forgive it.” His eldest son said, “I take them as a step forward because they admit that the arrest, detention demand and prosecution are illegal.” However, he also urged the police to investigate the matter further. “I cannot accept the discovery of your comments and the disciplinary action taken,” he commented. “I requested a re-study and reconsideration of the disciplinary measures.”

Aishima, Ohkawara Kakohki president Masaaki Okawara and director Junji Shimada were sued five years ago for alleged export equipment could be converted to China and other countries. The three claimed the device was legal. During his detention, Aishima suffered from anemia and was later diagnosed with a malignant tumor. His attorney’s repeated requests for bail were denied. Prosecutors argued that if released, he could destroy the evidence.

Prosecutor waives charges

In November 2020, Aishima was taken to the hospital. Three months later, Okawara and Shimada were released on condition that they did not see their colleagues. Aishima died shortly after her release. In July 2021, the Tokyo District Attorney’s Office admitted that exports were not illegal. The prosecutor then dropped the charges against the defendant. Aishima’s family members Okawara and Shimada filed a lawsuit in the Tokyo District Court, claiming that the arrest and detention were illegal.

Three months ago, the Tokyo High Court admitted the illegality of arrests and prosecutions. It ordered the central and metropolitan governments to pay about 166 million yen in losses. In June this year, officials from the MPD and Tokyo District Attorney’s Office apologized to Ohkawara Kakohki’s Yokohama-based Okawara and Shimada. Aishima’s family did not attend the meeting, saying they did not “receive an explanation of the truth.”

Japanese police hostage justice system

Japanese hitojichi-shiho (Hostage justice) system refers to the practice of holding detainees for a long time Daiyo Kangoku (Alternative prison). They were subjected to relentless trial under difficult conditions. Regardless of the severity of the suspected crime, the suspect can be detained for 23 days before detention. However, prosecutors can extend this period by dividing a single case into multiple offenses.

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