Latest news with #YujiSakoda
Asahi Shimbun
2 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.)
Straits Times
3 days ago
- Straits Times
Tokyo police punish 19 over wrongful arrests, issue apology
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox TOKYO – Tokyo police on Aug 7 announced disciplinary measures against 19 high-ranking officials over the wrongful arrests and indictments of three men in 2020 in connection with a case involving the suspected unauthorised export of sensitive equipment. In a rare public apology, Superintendent General Yuji Sakoda acknowledged the Metropolitan Police Department's failings, saying the incident caused 'considerable stress and burden' to the president of machinery maker Ohkawara Kakohki Co. and two others. The Metropolitan Police Department also released a review report concluding that dysfunction in the investigative chain of command led to the wrongful arrests. The Supreme Public Prosecutors Office also released a review on Aug 7 acknowledging it failed to thoroughly examine evidence that could have proven the men's innocence. It also stated prosecutors 'should deeply regret' that the bail applications could have been handled flexibly, as one of the arrested men died of lung cancer while in detention. Company president Masaaki Okawara, 76, and the two other men were arrested and indicted between March and June 2020 on suspicion of illegally exporting spray dryers that could be used to produce biological agents. Prosecutors dropped the charges in July 2021. In May 2025, the Tokyo High Court ruled the arrests and indictments were unlawful and ordered the Tokyo government and the state to compensate the three men. After the ruling was finalised, representatives of the police and prosecutors visited the company to apologise. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Asia Cambodia, Thailand agree on Asean observers monitoring truce, but fundamental differences remain Business Who loses the most from Trump's tariffs? Who wins? Singapore Flying greener will come at a price, industry players warn Singapore Liquor licences for F&B, nightlife venues extended to 4am in Boat Quay, Clarke Quay Opinion At 79, Liew Mun Leong has no time to be sentimental Singapore Student found with vape taken to hospital after behaving aggressively in school; HSA investigating Singapore Chikungunya cases in Singapore double; authorities monitoring situation closely Singapore CDC and SG60 vouchers listed on e-commerce platforms will be taken down: CDCs Mr Okawara said at a press conference in Tokyo that he thought the reviews were 'not quite the detail I was expecting'. Among the 19 who were reprimanded were retired officials such as Mr Yasuo Niimi, former head of the Tokyo police's public safety bureau, and his successor, Mr Tomohisa Kondo. While they could not be formally disciplined, they were still named as responsible. The police report said an experienced on-site commander prioritised building a case against the accused and overlooked evidence that pointed to their innocence, creating an environment where subordinates found it difficult to object. The report noted that a section chief failed to recognise the lack of communication and discord within the investigation team. The chief also neglected to properly supervise the team, including the on-site commander, and did not ensure proper reporting to the bureau head. As a result, contradictory information was rarely conveyed to the bureau chief, and no meaningful oversight was exercised, the report said. To prevent a recurrence, the police will hold investigation meetings led by the bureau chief for key cases, requiring members to report all information, including details unfavourable to a case's prosecution. KYODO NEWS
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.
3 days ago
Police Admit Serious Mistake over Ohkawara Kakohki Probe
News from Japan Society Aug 7, 2025 15:05 (JST) Tokyo, Aug. 7 (Jiji Press)--Tokyo's Metropolitan Police Department admitted in a report released Thursday that it committed a "serious mistake" during its investigation into Ohkawara Kakohki Co., which resulted in false accusations against executives of the machinery maker. In the report, the MPD stated that the chain of command in the investigation by its Public Security Bureau was "dysfunctional, leading to a serious mistake." According to the report, information unfavorable for building a case was not shared with senior MPD officials, and such officials merely rubber-stamped the investigation procedures. The bureau "lacked fundamental investigative principles as an organization," the report pointed out. "We caused significant stress and hardship" to people including Ohkawara Kakohki President Masaaki Okawara, 76, and two other company executives who were arrested, MPD Superintendent-General Yuji Sakoda told a news conference Thursday. "We deeply apologize." [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.] Jiji Press
