PRESS CONFERENCE
“Hostage Justice” in the Dock
Takashi Takano, Attorney, Okawara Kakohki Case
Kazuto Aishima, Plaintiff, Eldest son of the late Shizuo Aishima

10:30-11:30 Wednesday, April 15, 2026
The speech and Q & A will be in Japanese with English interpretation.

In March 2020, police arrested Shizuo Aishima and two executives at Ohkawara Kakohki, a Yokohama-based maker of spray dryers, on suspicion of exporting equipment that could be used to fabricate biological weapons. Despite receiving treatment for cancer at the time, Aishima, who was an engineer,  was denied bail and died in custody. Subsequent revelations that police had altered testimony and mishandled the investigation led to the dropping of charges against the company and its employees.

Aishima’s family is now suing all 37 judges who signed his detention warrants, claiming they denied bail without having reasonable grounds for accepting the prosecution’s assertion that he might destroy evidence. This is the first case since 1982 naming judges in connection to judicial decisions. The plaintiff says that keeping Aishima in custody violated both the Constitution and international humanitarian law.

Aishima’s eldest son and his lawyer Takashi Takano will come to the FCCJ to explain the background of this important case and the ramifications for Japan's legal system, which has been dogged by similar claims of “hostage justice.” The plaintiffs will argue that judges, who issue arrest warrants and rule on bail and prosecution requests for detentions, are a key component of this system and must be challenged.

How to attend: 
Please register by emailing front@fccj.or.jp with your name and the name of your media outlet. FCCJ members should also include their membership number. Doors will open 15 minutes before the event.

How to watch online: https://www.youtube.com/c/FCCJchannel/live  

How to ask questions: https://forms.gle/eXpUd94qVXHvbwhk8

TV crew: Please make a reservation at front@fccj.or.jp. Doors open for TV crews only at 30 minutes before the event. FCCJ will limit live-streaming of FCCJ-hosted press conferences to Club members only. Non-members will no longer be permitted to live-stream these events. However, non-members may still film for reporting purposes and use footage after the press conference. 

Professional Activities Committee