Japan’s top law enforcement officials have apologized for the wrongful arrest and death of businessman Shizuo Aishima, who was detained on charges that were later dropped. Aishima, a former advisor to machinery firm Ohkawara Kakohki, died in October 2021 after being diagnosed with cancer and kept in detention despite his health condition.
The Tokyo police, prosecutors’ department, and other authorities visited Aishima’s family and grave, offering a sincere apology for the “illegal investigation and arrest”. However, Aishima’s wife expressed her inability to forgive the authorities.
The case highlights Japan’s notorious “hostage justice” practice, where investigators use lengthy pretrial detentions to coerce confessions. Human rights campaigners have long demanded an end to this practice, which has resulted in the wrongful detention of numerous individuals.
In 2021, a Tokyo High Court ruling found that the investigation, arrests, and indictment were illegal and not supported by evidence. The court’s decision emphasizes the need for authorities to re-examine their attitudes towards pretrial detentions and prevent further cases like Aishima’s from occurring in the future.
Source: https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/japan-police-apologise-for-death-of-innocent-man-after-long-detention-9156140