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Asahi Shimbun
3 days ago
- Politics
- Asahi Shimbun
Police probe releases scathing report in falsely accused firm case
Yuji Sakoda, chief of the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department, apologizes for the falsely accused Ohkawara Kakohki officials in Tokyo's Chiyoda Ward on Aug. 7. (Shota Tomonaga) An internal police review criticized a "dysfunctional" investigative chain of command that led to three officials of a Yokohama-based company being falsely accused of exporting equipment that could be used as biologial weapons. The Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department, the National Police Agency and the Supreme Public Prosecutors Office announced on Aug. 7 the findings that outlined issues with the investigation of Ohkawara Kakohki Co. and bail procedures. While 19 officials from the MPD's Public Security Bureau at the time of the investigation were disciplined, no disciplinary action was taken against any prosecutors. 'I once again deeply apologize to the three individuals arrested and everyone else investigated for the significant trouble and anguish we put them through,' MPD Chief Yuji Sakoda said at a news conference. Yoshinobu Kusunoki, commissioner-general of the NPA, said, 'Public security and foreign affairs departments nationwide will sincerely reflect on the shortcomings revealed in this case and will ensure that measures are implemented to prevent a recurrence.' In response to the release of the probe, Ohkawara Kakohki, which manufactures and exports spray dryers, held a news conference on the same day. Masaaki Okawara, 76, the company president and one of the three individuals who were arrested, expressed his disapproval, saying that the review left 'personal accountability extremely vague.' 'This is because the review was conducted internally,' he said. Ohkawara Kakohki had been calling for an independent review that includes a third party. The MPD's review was based on the finalized court ruling that fully acknowledged the illegality of the Public Security Bureau's investigation. The review concluded that the chain of command was flawed in its operation because senior officials including the head of the bureau failed to properly direct the investigation, leading to 'grave errors' such as the unlawful arrests. The probe listed specific problems, such as that investigators failed to reconsider their own interpretation of the regulations—even after the trade ministry raised doubts. Furthermore, when an experiment with the company's equipment produced results that contradicted the investigation's premise, investigators neither conducted a follow-up inquiry nor shared the findings with senior Public Security Bureau officials and prosecutors. The review also addressed the MPD's actions after the indictment was withdrawn. It withdrew the MPD's claim in the state compensation lawsuit that the testimony of active-duty police officers—who stated that the case was a 'fabrication'—was purely 'grand fiction.' The review stated that this action 'could discourage officers from freely expressing their opinions in the future.' The Supreme Public Prosecutors Office, in its own review report, pointed out that prosecutors had failed to properly evaluate exculpatory evidence that could have weakened the suspicion of guilt when they decided to indict. Regarding their continued opposition to bail requests, the review noted that their response 'must be described as inappropriate.' The state compensation lawsuit revealed that when an investigator suggested revisiting the MPD's case strategy, a senior official shut the possibility down, saying, 'Will you take responsibility for dropping the case?" However, the MPD's review did not acknowledge this exchange. Tsuyoshi Takada, a lawyer representing Ohkawara Kakohki, said that the review was insufficient. Takada criticized the disciplinary action taken against the police officers as 'too lenient,' stating, 'This is a direct reflection of the inadequate review.' Takada also called the lack of any punishment for prosecutors a 'very serious problem.' In its report, the Supreme Public Prosecutors Office acknowledged that the prosecutor's continued opposition to granting bail to Shizuo Aishima, a company adviser who died after his release was denied, was 'inappropriate.' Takada praised this specific finding. On the other hand, there has been no move for a review by the judiciary, which denied the bail request. 'We are not demanding a formal review," Takada said. "We just want them to learn from this case and recognize that their work can cost a person their life.' The bereaved family of Aishima, which has not accepted an apology from the officials, did not attend the company's news conference. Takada read a statement from Aishima's eldest son, which said, 'It is a step forward that they have established some solid preventative measures. We will now deliberate on how we would like to be apologized to.' (This article was written by Hiraku Higa, Hikaru Yokoyama, Yusuke Morishita, Noriki Nishioka and senior staff writer Shimpachi Yoshida.)
The Mainichi
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Mainichi
Tokyo police report on false charges against machinery maker exposes lack of leadership
TOKYO -- The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) on Aug. 7 released a report in connection with false charges against officials of Japanese chemical machinery maker Ohkawara Kakohki Co. over its equipment exports, exposing superficial reporting by police to senior officials and the absence of substantial investigative leadership. The report criticized senior officials in the MPD's Public Security Bureau, stating, "Even if there were no appropriate reports, they were in a position where they should have made careful judgements, and cannot evade responsibility." As a recurrence preventive measure, the MPD announced the introduction of an investigation meeting of department heads, led by the Public Security Bureau chief, to strengthen senior officials' involvement in investigations. In light of the review, MPD Superintendent General Yuji Sakoda held a news conference on Aug. 7 to apologize. It is unusual for the head of the MPD to publicly apologize in such a manner. The Public Security Bureau arrested executives of the company in March 2020 on suspicion of illegally exporting equipment capable of being diverted to military use in violation of the Foreign Exchange and Foreign Trade Act. The Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office initially indicted them but subsequently dropped the charges in July 2021. In the wake of the false charges, the MPD set up a review team headed by the deputy superintendent general, with members primarily from the inspection division. The team conducted interviews with 47 individuals, including former and current senior officials and investigators from the Public Security Bureau up to the level of bureau head, and examined documents, including investigation notes. The report pointed out that the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry had given a negative view of the Public Security Bureau's interpretation that Ohkawara Kakohki's spray dryers could be used for military purposes and therefore fell under the ministry's export control ordinance. In light of this, the report said careful consideration should have been given to the relevance of forming a case against the company officials. Furthermore, a counterpoint to the investigation -- that the equipment could not achieve sufficient internal temperatures for sterilization and therefore was not subject to regulation -- was not thoroughly examined by the Public Security Bureau. Three section chiefs from the bureau's First Foreign Affairs Division who were involved in the investigation had not adequately guided and supervised their subordinates. Furthermore, there was no proper handover during the change of section chiefs, and reports to four senior officials -- the Public Security Bureau chief, two directors in second-tier positions, and the chief of the general administration division -- were superficial. These officials did not demand detailed reports or reviews. Moreover, five assistant managers who led the field investigation did not pay sufficient attention to factors that didn't line up with their theory of wrongdoing, and their superior left the decision-making to them. A police inspector who was found in a state compensation lawsuit to have conducted deceptive and illegal interrogations lacked proper guidance from their superior. The report concluded, "Due to the dysfunction in the investigative command system, the organization lacked the basics for an investigation. It cannot be ruled out that if it had carefully weighed the issues, the investigation policy might have been revamped, potentially preventing the arrests." Police Administration Division director Junichiro Kan, a member of the review team, stated, "Even if it was late, when the issue of the equipment's inability to reach higher temperatures was pointed out during voluntary questioning, the course of investigation could have been reconsidered." In terms of preventive measures, a new investigation meeting of department heads will be established to ensure appropriate investigative leadership. It will be attended by the four senior officials, and receive reports on investigations' progress from the initial stages. Furthermore, to allow for checks on investigations by departments other than the ones in charge, a public security investigation supervision and guidance office will be established within the public security general administration division in October. Additionally, starting this fall, a system will be introduced where subordinates evaluate managers and others in command in on-site investigations. Regarding the false charges, the indictment of three individuals, including the president of Ohkawara Kakohki, who were arrested and charged with violating the Foreign Exchange and Foreign Trade Act in March 2020, was dropped in 2021. In a subsequent state compensation lawsuit, the Tokyo High Court in May this year upheld a lower court decision, recognizing the investigation by the MPD's Public Security Bureau and the Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office as being illegal. The ruling has since been finalized. The Supreme Public Prosecutors Office is also expected to release its review findings soon.
South China Morning Post
5 days ago
- South China Morning Post
Handling of teen bullying case sparks tension and arrests in southwestern Chinese city
The handling of a school bullying case by local authorities in a southwestern Chinese city has sparked outrage among locals, according to residents and mainland media, leading to police arrests for 'blocking traffic'. Chinese outlet posted a video on its social media account showing hundreds of people gathering inside a government building in Jiangyou, Sichuan province, on Monday to help the parents of a teenager who had been bullied at school negotiate with officials and express their dissatisfaction with the government's handling of the incident. The Public Security Bureau of Mianyang city, which administers Jiangyou, told the Guangzhou-based Yangcheng Evening News it had detained people who were 'blocking traffic and refusing to heed police warnings' on Monday. A staff member at the Mianyang Public Security Bureau told the South China Morning Post that the 'incidents in Jiangyou' were being handled by 'local police and government'. The Post has also contacted the Jiangyou police for comment. The residents' anger erupted after news went viral about a campus bullying case which locals believed was not dealt with fairly.
News.com.au
5 days ago
- Politics
- News.com.au
Chinese government rejects ‘foreign interference' claim
Beijing has rejected claims its intelligence services are meddling in Australia after a Chinese national was charged with 'reckless foreign interference'. The alleged agent, a permanent resident of Australia, is accused of covertly collecting information about the Canberra branch of Buddhist association Guan Yin Citta on behalf of China's Public Security Bureau. Guan Yin Citta is banned in China. Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said overnight his government was 'not familiar with the specifics' of the case. 'Let me say more that as a principle, China develops relations with other countries, including Australia, on the basis of mutual respect and non-interference in the internal affairs of others,' he said, as cited by the state-controlled Global Times. 'China never interferes in other countries' internal affairs, and, meanwhile, firmly opposes any disruption to the normal people-to-people interactions, exchanges, and co-operation between China and relevant countries under the pretext of foreign interference. 'China will follow this case closely and protect the lawful rights and interests of Chinese nationals.' In response to media inquiries regarding the Australian government recently charging a Chinese citizen under the “foreign interferenceâ€� law, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun stated on Tuesday that “We are not familiar with the specifics.â€� Guo further noted, “Let… — Global Times (@globaltimesnews) August 5, 2025 The Global Times is a mouthpiece for the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). The CCP has a history of exerting its influence in Australia to keep the Chinese diaspora in line. Analysts have long warned of the party's efforts to undermine key industries and suppress free speech on university campuses, with Chinese students dobbing in fellow students who voice views that rub Beijing up the wrong way. The Albanese government, which has sought to gloss over touchy topics with China in the pursuit of better economic ties, has responded cautiously to news of the suspected agent in Canberra. Though, Foreign Minister Penny Wong has vowed the Albanese government 'will safeguard our democracy'. 'Our democracy is about who we are,' Senator Wong told the ABC on Tuesday. 'And that means we will stand together against any foreign interference. 'We have strong frameworks in place. 'We will not tolerate collectively, or as a government, Australians being harassed or surveilled. We will continue to safeguard the democracy.' On relations with Beijing, she said 'dialogue matters'. 'Dialogue is important. Dialogue enables us to manage difference, but it doesn't eliminate it,' Senator Wong said.
eNCA
7 days ago
- Politics
- eNCA
Australian police charge Chinese national with 'foreign interference'
Australian police said Monday they had charged a Chinese national with "reckless foreign interference", accusing the woman of spying on local Buddhists for Beijing. Assistant police commissioner Stephen Nutt said the unnamed woman had been covertly gathering information on the Guan Yin Citta Buddhist association in Australia's capital, Canberra. Nutt said she was working under the command of China's Public Security Bureau, the country's main domestic law enforcement body. "We allege the activity was to support the intelligence objectives of China's Public Security Bureau," said Nutt, from the special investigations division of the Australian Federal Police. "It is a crime carried out by, or on behalf of, a foreign principle involving covert or deceptive conduct." The woman -- who cannot be named for legal reasons -- is an Australian permanent resident. She was arrested and charged with "reckless foreign interference" after police raided a number of houses in Canberra over the weekend. "During the searches, a number of items, including electronic devices, were seized and will undergo forensic examination," police said in a statement. Reckless foreign interference carries a maximum of 15 years in prison. China's sprawling security apparatus has long been accused of infiltrating community organisations as a way to keep tabs on expats and dissidents. But it is rare that a major trading partner such as Australia so bluntly links Beijing to a covert influence plot. "At a time of permanent regional contest, offenders will attempt to spy on individuals, groups and institutions in Australia," said Nutt. - 'Appalling assault' - Australian police have foiled a series of foreign interference plots in recent years, but these have typically targeted migrant communities. Nutt said this case was unusual in that it also appeared to be targeting Australian citizens. "This is the first time the AFP has charged a person with foreign interference that allegedly involves targeting members of the Australian community," he said. Police started investigating the woman in March 2025 after receiving a tipoff from the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation, Australia's top counter-espionage agency. Australia's spy chief Mike Burgess last week warned of the mounting domestic security threat posed by foreign actors such as China. "Foreign interference of the kind alleged is an appalling assault on Australian values, freedoms and sovereignty," Burgess said on Monday.
