Latest news with #MasaakiOkawara
Japan Today
28-05-2025
- Business
- Japan Today
High court orders Tokyo gov't, state to compensate 3 for illicit company probe
A Japanese high court on Wednesday ordered the Tokyo metropolitan government and the state to compensate a company president and others for an unlawful investigation into the alleged unauthorized export of goods capable of producing biological weapons. The Tokyo High Court ruled the investigation on Masaaki Okawara, 76, president of machinery maker Ohkawara Kakohki Co, and two other men was illegal. The court ordered the state and Tokyo to pay about 166 million yen in compensation, up about 4 million yen from the amount awarded by the lower court. A Tokyo police investigator testified at the lower court that the case was "fabricated," and a former investigator told the high court that people with discretion built the case "out of greed." The plaintiffs had appealed the Tokyo District Court ruling that awarded the compensation to Okawara, Junji Shimada, a former director of the company, and the family of former adviser Shizuo Aishima, who died in 2021 after falling ill during detainment, insisting court findings on the maliciousness of the investigation by police and prosecutors were insufficient. The state and the metropolitan government had also appealed, arguing their investigation was legal and seeking a rejection of the plaintiffs' appeal. The Metropolitan Police Department said it will decide on its response after thoroughly examining the latest ruling. Prosecutors withdrew the indictment in July 2021, but Aishima died due to stomach cancer at age 72 in February of that year before redeeming his honor. The plaintiffs sought 560 million yen in damages in the lawsuit filed in September 2021, claiming the items in question -- spray dryers that can atomize liquids and turn them into powder through a quick drying process -- were not subject to export restrictions. The Yokohama-based firm is Japan's leading maker of spray dryers, widely used to produce food products such as instant coffee, baby formula, medicine and ceramics. The three men were arrested in March 2020 on suspicion of exporting spray dryers capable of producing biological agents without authorization. Okawara and Shimada spent 332 days in custody until they were released on bail in February 2021. © KYODO
Kyodo News
28-05-2025
- Politics
- Kyodo News
High court orders Tokyo gov't, state to compensate for illicit probe
KYODO NEWS - 6 hours ago - 19:37 | All, Japan A Japanese high court on Wednesday ordered the Tokyo metropolitan government and the state to compensate a company president and others for an unlawful investigation into the alleged unauthorized export of goods capable of producing biological weapons. The Tokyo High Court ruled the investigation on Masaaki Okawara, 76, president of machinery maker Ohkawara Kakohki Co., and two other men was illegal. "There is a fundamental flaw in the decision to build a case," and the decision was made "without reasonable grounds," Presiding Judge Teruyoshi Ota said. The court ordered the state and Tokyo to pay about 166 million yen ($1.15 million) in compensation, up about 4 million yen from the amount awarded by the lower court. Police did not conduct a further investigation even after they heard from the company side that the exported items were not subject to trade restrictions, skipping a process typically required when new information emerges, the ruling said. The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, which oversees export activities, told police there was a problem with their legal interpretation of export control rules banning shipments of equipment capable of producing biological agents, but the police did not revisit their decision to arrest the plaintiffs, according to the ruling. Tsuyoshi Takada, a lawyer representing the company, said the ruling acknowledged that the case was "fabricated" by the police. A Tokyo police investigator testified at the lower court that the case was "fabricated," and a former investigator told the high court that people with discretion built the case "out of greed." The plaintiffs had appealed the Tokyo District Court ruling that awarded the compensation to Okawara, Junji Shimada, a former director of the company, and the family of former adviser Shizuo Aishima, who died in 2021 after falling ill during detainment, insisting court findings on the maliciousness of the investigation by police and prosecutors were insufficient. The state and the metropolitan government had also appealed, arguing their investigation was legal and seeking a rejection of the plaintiffs' appeal. The Metropolitan Police Department said it will decide on its response after thoroughly examining the latest ruling. Prosecutors withdrew the indictment in July 2021, but Aishima died due to stomach cancer at age 72 in February of that year before redeeming his honor. The plaintiffs sought 560 million yen in damages in the lawsuit filed in September 2021, claiming the items in question -- spray dryers that can atomize liquids and turn them into powder through a quick drying process -- were not subject to export restrictions. The Yokohama-based firm is Japan's leading maker of spray dryers, widely used to produce food products such as instant coffee, baby formula, medicine and ceramics. The three men were arrested in March 2020 on suspicion of exporting spray dryers capable of producing biological agents without authorization. Okawara and Shimada spent 332 days in custody until they were released on bail in February 2021. Related coverage: Japan government appeals ruling on compensation for illegal investigation Tokyo gov't, state ordered to compensate for illegal investigation Execs accused of illegally exporting bioweapon equipment sue gov't
Kyodo News
28-05-2025
- Business
- Kyodo News
Kyodo News Digest: May 28, 2025
KYODO NEWS - 2 hours ago - 23:00 | All, World, Japan The following is the latest list of selected news summaries by Kyodo News. ---------- High court orders Tokyo gov't, state to compensate for illicit probe TOKYO - A Japanese high court on Wednesday ordered the Tokyo metropolitan government and the state to compensate a company president and others for an unlawful investigation into the alleged unauthorized export of goods capable of producing biological weapons. The Tokyo High Court ruled the investigation on Masaaki Okawara, 76, president of machinery maker Ohkawara Kakohki Co., and two other men was illegal. ---------- U.S. halts scheduling of new visa interviews for foreign students WASHINGTON - The U.S. government has paused the scheduling of foreign student visa interviews at all diplomatic missions, a senior official said Tuesday, clouding the hopes of many who aspire to study in the country. As people wishing to study in the United States, a popular destination for Japanese students, are worried about any impact on their plans, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi, Japan's top government spokesman, said in Tokyo the government will seek more information from Washington and respond "appropriately." ---------- Japan's 1st law to promote safe AI use, development enacted TOKYO - Japan's parliament on Wednesday enacted its first legislation to promote the safe use and development of artificial intelligence technology to address concerns over risks such as the spread of misinformation and disinformation. The legislation allows the government to require businesses to cooperate in investigations into the misuse of AI but does not stipulate any penalties. ---------- Japan gov't vows reserve rice supply to countryside amid price spike TOKYO - The government on Wednesday vowed to deliver lower-priced stockpiled rice it releases as a counter to surging prices more broadly and stably to consumers in rural areas, after it suspended taking orders from major retailers to make room for smaller ones. About 70 major retailors made requests to buy reserve rice from the farm ministry, bringing the total to over 200,000 tons, or about two-thirds of the 300,000 tons up for sale, a day after the launch of a new release scheme on Monday. ---------- U.S. gov't to have say in makeup of U.S. Steel board, senator reveals WASHINGTON - Nippon Steel Corp. has agreed to invest $14 billion in United States Steel Corp. and pledged to ensure most board members will come from the United States, a senator from Pennsylvania, where the American firm is headquartered, said Tuesday. As a condition for allowing the Japanese steelmaker to partner with U.S. Steel, Pennsylvania Sen. Dave McCormick told CNBC that the U.S. government is poised to receive a so-called golden share in the iconic but struggling American producer. ---------- ASEAN leaders urge dialogue, extension of cease-fire in Myanmar KUALA LUMPUR - Southeast Asian leaders on Tuesday urged all parties in war-torn Myanmar to immediately halt violence against civilians and extend the cease-fire declared following a powerful earthquake in March as a step toward establishing an inclusive national dialogue to resolve the crisis. In a joint statement on Myanmar issued by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations following their summit in Kuala Lumpur, the leaders expressed deep concern over the "escalation of conflicts" and the "deteriorating humanitarian situation" in the country. ---------- Japan enacts law obliging firms to join CO2 emissions trading scheme TOKYO - Japan's parliament on Wednesday enacted a law obliging 300 to 400 major firms to participate in a carbon emissions trading system that will be introduced in the fiscal year starting April 2026. The revised law, designed to advance the country's green transformation and decarbonization, targets companies producing 100,000 tons of carbon dioxide or more a year across a broad range of industries including the production of steel and cars. ---------- Japan to allow visa-free visits from Montenegro to boost exchanges TOKYO - Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba on Wednesday told his Montenegrin counterpart Milojko Spajic about a plan to start visa exemptions for short-term visitors from the Balkan nation to boost bilateral exchanges. Calling Montenegro "an extremely important partner that share values and principles," Ishiba also agreed with Spajic to work together to uphold a "free and open" international order based on the rule of law, according to the Japanese Foreign Ministry. Video: Italian fashion brands showcased at Italy Pavilion at Osaka Expo
Kyodo News
28-05-2025
- Politics
- Kyodo News
High court orders Tokyo gov't, state to compensate for illicit probe
KYODO NEWS - 36 minutes ago - 19:37 | All, Japan A Japanese high court on Wednesday ordered the Tokyo metropolitan government and the state to compensate a company president and others for an unlawful investigation into the alleged unauthorized export of goods capable of producing biological weapons. The Tokyo High Court ruled the investigation on Masaaki Okawara, 76, president of machinery maker Ohkawara Kakohki Co., and two other men was illegal. "There is a fundamental flaw in the decision to build a case," and the decision was made "without reasonable grounds," Presiding Judge Teruyoshi Ota said. The court ordered the state and Tokyo to pay about 166 million yen ($1.15 million) in compensation, up about 4 million yen from the amount awarded by the lower court. Police did not conduct a further investigation even after they heard from the company side that the exported items were not subject to trade restrictions, skipping a process typically required when new information emerges, the ruling said. The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, which oversees export activities, told police there was a problem with their legal interpretation of export control rules banning shipments of equipment capable of producing biological agents, but the police did not revisit their decision to arrest the plaintiffs, according to the ruling. Tsuyoshi Takada, a lawyer representing the company, said the ruling acknowledged that the case was "fabricated" by the police. A Tokyo police investigator testified at the lower court that the case was "fabricated," and a former investigator told the high court that people with discretion built the case "out of greed." The plaintiffs had appealed the Tokyo District Court ruling that awarded the compensation to Okawara, Junji Shimada, a former director of the company, and the family of former adviser Shizuo Aishima, who died in 2021 after falling ill during detainment, insisting court findings on the maliciousness of the investigation by police and prosecutors were insufficient. The state and the metropolitan government had also appealed, arguing their investigation was legal and seeking a rejection of the plaintiffs' appeal. The Metropolitan Police Department said it will decide on its response after thoroughly examining the latest ruling. Prosecutors withdrew the indictment in July 2021, but Aishima died due to stomach cancer at age 72 in February of that year before redeeming his honor. The plaintiffs sought 560 million yen in damages in the lawsuit filed in September 2021, claiming the items in question -- spray dryers that can atomize liquids and turn them into powder through a quick drying process -- were not subject to export restrictions. The Yokohama-based firm is Japan's leading maker of spray dryers, widely used to produce food products such as instant coffee, baby formula, medicine and ceramics. The three men were arrested in March 2020 on suspicion of exporting spray dryers capable of producing biological agents without authorization. Okawara and Shimada spent 332 days in custody until they were released on bail in February 2021. Related coverage: Japan government appeals ruling on compensation for illegal investigation Tokyo gov't, state ordered to compensate for illegal investigation Execs accused of illegally exporting bioweapon equipment sue gov't
Japan Times
28-05-2025
- Business
- Japan Times
Central and Tokyo governments ordered to compensate over probe
The Tokyo High Court on Wednesday upheld a lower court ruling ordering the central and Tokyo Metropolitan Governments to pay about ¥166 million ($1.15 million) in damages over investigations into a case against spray-dryer-maker Ohkawara Kakohki. Teruyoshi Ota, presiding judge at the high court, backed the December 2023 ruling by the Tokyo District Court that found the investigations by the Metropolitan Police Department and the Tokyo District Public Prosecutor's Office into the company over its alleged improper exports illegal. The plaintiffs are the company based in Yokohama, CEO Masaaki Okawara, 76, former executive Junji Shimada, 72, and the family of former adviser Shizuo Aishima, who died at the age of 72 in February 2021 after being found to have stomach cancer while being detained. In 2020, Okawara, Shimada and Aishima were indicted on charges of illegally exporting a spray dryer that might be repurposed to make biological weapons. The charges were withdrawn the following year. In the trial at the high court, the company side argued that the police had the industry ministry distort its interpretation of export control standards, citing as new evidence memos of the investigations and testimonies by investigators. The central and Tokyo Metropolitan Governments claimed that the authorities had investigated the case according to the interpretation of the ministry from the beginning and that there was nothing unreasonable in their judgments, including the indictments against the three.
