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The Mainichi
13 hours ago
- Politics
- The Mainichi
Senior Tokyo police, prosecutor apologize to machinery maker over illegal probe
YOKOHAMA -- Two top Tokyo police and prosecution officials apologized in person to current and former executives of machinery maker Ohkawara Kakohki Co. at the latter's office here on June 20, following a high court ruling recognizing the illegality of their investigations based on allegations the company was involved in illegal exports. Tetsuro Kamata, deputy superintendent general of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), and Hirohide Mori, head of the public security division of the Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office, visited the company headquarters in Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture, to offer a direct apology to President Masaaki Ohkawara, 76, and former director Junji Shimada, 72. The visit came after the Tokyo High Court ruling deeming the investigations by the MPD's Public Security Bureau and the Tokyo prosecution office to be unlawful was finalized. Kamata bowed his head and stated, "We deeply apologize for the great anxiety and burden caused by the investigations. We are truly sorry." Mori also offered his apologies and added, "We will strive to exercise prosecutorial powers appropriately to ensure that such incidents do not occur again." President Ohkawara responded, "It would have been preferable for this apology to come at an earlier stage. I hope that you value those who testified in court and improve the organizations: good police and good prosecution." The MPD's Public Security Bureau arrested Ohkawara, Shimada and another individual 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. Tokyo prosecutors initially indicted them but subsequently dropped the charges in July 2021. While President Ohkawara and others had consistently demanded an apology from law enforcers, the MPD and the district prosecutors office had not complied on the grounds that the company had filed a state compensation suit. Their apology on June 20 came about four years after the charges against the company personnel were withdrawn. Apart from the apology, the company is also demanding that the police and prosecutors launch an investigation into their own probes with the involvement of third parties. While the MPD and the Supreme Public Prosecutors Office have announced that they will respectively examine the problems, they have suggested conducting internal investigations. The May 28 Tokyo High Court ruling recognized that the MPD's Public Security Bureau arrested the president and others by making a stretched interpretation of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry's export control ordinance in a way that was far detached from international standards. "The Public Security Bureau's interpretation lacked rationality, and there were basic problems with their judgment regarding the establishment of the criminal charges," the court found. The court also ruled that the interrogations of Shimada by an inspector at the MPD's Public Security Bureau employed deceptive tactics leading to misinterpretation of ministerial ordinances. In regard to a temperature experiment on the equipment in question, conducted in an attempt to prove the unlawful export charges, the court acknowledged that the Public Security Bureau and the district prosecutors office neglected to conduct additional experiments while being aware of flaws in the initial experiment. Furthermore, the court ruled that the indictment by the district prosecutors office despite skepticism about the interpretation of the export control ordinance and the absence of extra experiments constituted "a case lacking charges for which the accused could be found guilty."
Asahi Shimbun
12-06-2025
- Politics
- Asahi Shimbun
Apology fails to dissipate anger, grief of falsely accused firm
The eldest son of Shizuo Aishima, former adviser to Ohkawara Kakohki Co., right, speaks at a news conference on June 11 in Tokyo's Chiyoda Ward. (Shota Tomonaga) For a Yokohama-based company falsely accused of exporting equipment that could be used to make biological weapons, the apology that officials had long sought finally came. However, anger and disappointment remain as one of the accused officials has passed away and the clock cannot be turned back to undo the damage. Five years and three months have passed since the arrest of three officials of Ohkawara Kakohki Co., a manufacturer and exporter of spray dryers, in March 2020. Their fight against the illegal investigation reached a major milestone on June 11 when the police and prosecutors declined to appeal a court ruling that the prosecution and arrests were illegal, and the award of damages to the three plaintiffs. The Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department also issued an apology. 'It's finally over. It's all over now. The word 'apology' has finally been uttered,' Masaaki Okawara, 76, the president of the company, said at a news conference. Since the Tokyo High Court ruled on May 28 that the investigation was illegal, Okawara and other plaintiffs had urged the MPD and the Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office not to appeal the case. More than 40,000 signatures were collected online in support of their effort. 'So many people are saying, 'It is not right to appeal,'' Okawara said. 'I thought I had no choice but to ask them to make up their minds' to abandon the appeal. Junji Shimada, 72, a former board member of the company, said, 'The clouds in my mind have cleared. It has been seven years since we faced a criminal investigation. It's finally cleared up.' Shizuo Aishima, a 72-year-old former company adviser, was arrested and indicted along with Okawara and Shimada. Aishima was diagnosed with stomach cancer while in custody and died before the prosecutors withdrew the indictment. Shimada said he and Aishima promised each other when they submitted to voluntary police interviews, 'Let's have a drink together when this is over.' Before going to the news conference on June 11, Shimada visited Aishima's grave and in front of the marker, he said he fulfilled the promise. APOLOGY CAME 4 YEARS LATE At the news conference, a number of questions were raised about the response of the police and prosecutors. By not appealing the Tokyo High Court ruling, the award became finalized. In response, the police and prosecutors announced that they will conduct a review of the investigation at that time. However, no third-party person is included in the police and prosecutors' verification teams. Neither organization has estimated how long it will take to verify the investigation. Tsuyoshi Takada, a lawyer representing the plaintiffs, said, 'Internal verification is highly questionable in terms of transparency and fairness.' He said that the company will continue to seek verification by a third party. The police and prosecutors also indicated their intention to apologize directly to Okawara and others in the future. But Aishima's eldest son, 51, who attended the news conference, angrily said, 'By right, they were supposed to apologize three years and 10 months ago, when they withdrew the indictment.' The grieving son said, 'Time has passed, but my anger has not dissipated.' 'I can no longer tell my father that (they abandoned the appeal). I want them to turn back the clock.' POLICE ADMIT FLAWED INVESTIGATION Representatives of both the MPD and the Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office spoke to reporters on June 11. Hiroshi Nakashima, head of the Public Security Bureau of the MPD, said, 'At the very least, there was a problem with the conduct of the investigation.' He said, 'There is no doubt that the investigation was not thoroughly conducted in a precise and appropriate manner, and we will examine the situation.' He also said he 'will make arrangements as soon as possible' to offer a direct apology to those involved. Junichiro Kan, a counselor in the MPD who is in charge of overseeing the verification team, said, 'We will proceed as quickly as possible under the guidance of the inspectorate division,' and that punishment will be considered 'based on the results of the review.' On the other hand, Takashi Shinkawa, deputy chief prosecutor of the Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office, explained to reporters the reasons for abandoning the appeal for about 45 minutes. Shinkawa said, 'We take very seriously the fact that the detention request and prosecution were found illegal twice in the lawsuits.' However, Shinkawa declined to give details about reviewing the case, citing that the Supreme Public Prosecutors Office, a higher authority, will conduct the review. Hiroshi Yamamoto, deputy chief prosecutor of the Supreme Public Prosecutors Office, also spoke to reporters. Yamamoto said that he will lead the review process, but that the scope of the interviews has not been specified at this stage. VOW TO NEVER HAPPEN AGAIN Yoshinobu Kusunoki, commissioner-general of the National Police Agency, spoke about the case at a news conference on June 12. 'It is extremely regrettable that the plaintiffs and other parties involved have suffered so much hardship and burden, and that public trust in the police has been undermined, and the National Police Agency takes this matter very seriously,' he said. He said the NPA will ensure that a similar illegal probe will not be repeated in future investigations by the public security bureau of the police. On June 11, the NPA issued a notice to each prefectural police urging them to ensure that they conduct precise and proper investigations and that senior officers take the lead in investigations conducted by the public security bureau. Regarding the probe of the case to be conducted by the MPD, Kusunoki said that the NPA 'will provide the necessary supervision to ensure that it is conducted properly.' Based on the results, the NPA will also compile points to keep in mind in investigations and measures to prevent a recurrence, and will strengthen and thoroughly instruct prefectural and metropolitan police, he said. (This article was compiled from reports written by Noriki Nishioka, Saori Kuroda, Hiraku Higa, Koichi Fujimaki, and senior staff writer Shimpachi Yoshida.)
Axios
27-05-2025
- Business
- Axios
Japanese startup uses AI to cross trade barriers
A Japanese company is using AI to bridge trade, language and culture gaps — one solution for a world where historic bonds are loosening, but consumer demand is as strong as ever. Why it matters: If it works, it's a potential model for small businesses and creators around the world to access the U.S. market at a time of growing obstacles to international commerce. Catch up quick: Monoya launched in late 2024 as a wholesaler of the work of Japanese artisans to the international home goods market. Many of these artisans don't speak English, don't sell internationally and don't have a commercial infrastructure. Yu Shimada, a former McKinsey consultant born in Japan and raised in New York, launched Monoya to bridge that gap. The company is backed by WAY Equity Partners, which invests in Japanese tech startups. More than 90% of what it sells, Shimada says, isn't available in the U.S. market otherwise. Driving the news: On Tuesday Monoya is taking the wraps off Monoya Connect, an AI sourcing platform to more directly connect sellers and buyers. "The domestic market is shrinking, the one critical strategy we need to do is go outside of the country," Shimada told Axios. The tool will provide a range of translation and design data services to more directly connect artisans and international vendors. The intrigue: Shimada acknowledges AI is not perfect for all uses cases yet, — but the goal isn't to promote an AI platform, it's to use the technology as a tool. "Having them understand this AI concept is not something I'm doing. I'm having them understand that with this tool it's going to solve their problems in a way, and we're using this thing called AI," he said. Between the lines: Monoya is launching its new platform at a fraught time for global commerce, with the U.S. effectively charging the highest tariff rates in almost a century. Shimada's argument is that a possible tariff isn't the biggest problem his sellers face — it's shipping, with rates rising around the world. The bottom line: Even with rising trade pressures, Shimada said Japanese artisans can still be a solution for big U.S. brands.
Yomiuri Shimbun
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yomiuri Shimbun
Kinnikuman Museum in Japan Marks 1st Anniversary; Story Writer of Kinnikuman Mangaka Duo Speaks at Celebratory Event
Yomiuri Shimbun file photo The Kinnikuman Museum in Numazu, Shizuoka Prefecture NUMAZU, Shizuoka — The Kinnikuman Museum in Numazu — now a hot spot for fans of the popular manga — held an event on May 3 to celebrate its first anniversary. The museum, located in Numazu, Shizuoka Prefecture, has welcomed about 100,000 visitors from Japan and abroad since it opened in April 2024. Takashi Shimada, the story writer of the mangaka duo Yudetamago that created Kinnikuman, and Minowaman DZ, a professional wrestler who serves as the museum's director, appeared at the talk event to commemorate the anniversary. In front of about 300 fans, Shimada shared behind-the-scenes anecdotes about creating the manga, and Minowaman DZ spoke on the challenges of being a museum director. The talks were followed by a raffle, in which a 7-year-old boy from Akiruno, Tokyo, won a T-shirt signed by the two speakers. 'I won an amazing prize on my first visit to the museum!' the boy said. Shimada said: 'This is far more than I expected, and I'm surprised. We will further expand the exhibits so that more fans will come to the museum and have a good time.'
15-05-2025
4 Nabbed in Japan over Delivery Driver Account Transfer
Tokyo, May 15 (Jiji Press)--Japanese police have arrested four individuals for allegedly transferring a driver account of Demaecan, a food delivery service website, to a foreigner who is not qualified to work in Japan. The four are Kotaro Yamazaki, a 50-year-old executive of a consulting firm, Takuma Shimada, a 32-year-old bodywork therapist, Kimihiro Sano, 35, and Mamatkodirov Iskandarbek Rejabboy Ugli, a 24-year-old Uzbek national. The suspects were arrested for allegedly creating a Demaecan driver account under the name of Shimada on Oct. 21, 2023, transferring it to Mamatkodirov and obtaining money illegally. They have admitted to the charges. Tokyo's Metropolitan Police Department suspects that Demaecan driver accounts created by Japanese nationals under the instruction of Yamazaki, who is believed to be the ringleader, were allocated to about 150 foreigners ineligible to work in the country. According to the MPD, Sano recruited Shimada on social media and had him create a Demaecan driver account. Mamatkodirov, who was recruited by another Uzbek national, used the account to pose as Shimada and engaged in delivery tasks assigned by food delivery service provider Demae-can Co. [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]
