Three libel lawsuits filed by Soka Gakkai:
|
PARTIES TO CASE |
AT ISSUE |
WINNING
PARTY |
JUDGMENT |
FINAL COURT |
PLAINTIFF: Soka Gakkai
DEFENDANTS: Publisher Shinchosha and then editor Hiroshi Matsuda |
Allegations published by Shukan Shincho (Sep. 14 and Oct. 12, 1995 issues) accusing Soka Gakkai of involvement in City Councilwoman Akiyo Asaki's death |
PLAINTIFF |
Court ordered defendants to pay 2 million yen in damages to Soka Gakkai. Defendants decided not to appeal. Case closed. |
Tokyo District Court (May 18, 2001)
CHIEF JUDGE: Yoichi Kikuchi
CASE NO. 1997-wa-17833 |
PLAINTIFF: Soka Gakkai
DEFENDANTS: Publisher Kodansha, then editor Masahiko Motoki, Asaki's husband Daito and daughter Naoko |
Allegations published by Shukan Gendai (Sep. 23, 1995 issue) openly claiming Soka Gakkai is responsible for Asaki's death |
PLAINTIFF |
Supreme Court upheld High Court ruling; ordered Kodansha and Asakis to pay 2 million yen in damages to Soka Gakkai and for them to publish an apology. Case closed. |
Supreme Court (Oct. 29. 2002)
CHIEF JUDGE: Toshihiro Kanatani
CASE NO. 2001-o-1241 |
PLAINTIFF: Soka Gakkai
DEFENDANTS: Asaki's daughter Naoko and colleague, city councilman Hozumi Yano, then assistant editor and editor-in-chief, respectively, of Higashi Murayama Shimin Shimbun |
Allegations published by Higashi Murayama Shimin Shimbun (five issues beginning Sep. 27, 1995) accusing Soka Gakkai of direct involvement in Asaki's death |
PLAINTIFF |
Court ordered defendants to publish an apology and pay 2 million yen in damages to Soka Gakkai. Defendants decided not to appeal. Case closed. |
Tokyo High Court (Dec. 26, 2001)
CHIEF JUDGE: Takaharu Kondo
CASE NO. 2001-ne-1786 |
Three lawsuits filed against Soka Gakkai:
|
PARTIES TO CASE |
AT ISSUE |
WINNING
PARTY |
JUDGMENT |
FINAL COURT |
PLAINTIFFS: Asaki's husband, Daito, daughter Naoko and city councilman Yano
DEFENDANTS:
Soka Gakkai, Tokyo Metropolitan Government, clothing store owner, et al. |
A Seikyo Shimbun (Sept. 21, 1995 issue) article in which Soka Gakkai President Einosuke Akiya refutes Plaintiffs' charges that Soka Gakkai was involved in Councilwoman Asaki's death. Plaintiffs claim article was libelous. |
DEFENDANTS |
After lower courts rejected Plaintiffs' claim, the Supreme Court dismissed their appeal. Case closed. |
Supreme Court (Nov. 8, 2002)
CHIEF JUDGE: Shigeru Kajitani
CASE NO. 2001-o-1907
|
PLAINTIFFS: Asaki's husband, Daito, daughter Naoko and city councilman Yano
DEFENDANTS: Soka Gakkai, et al.
|
Article in Soka Shimpo (May 7, 1997 issue) detailing the investigation of councilwoman's death. Plaintiffs claim article was libelous. |
DEFENDANTS |
Court rejected Plaintiffs' claim. Plaintiffs decided not to appeal. Case closed.
|
Tokyo District Court (Mar. 10, 2003)
CHIEF JUDGE: Takashi Otake
CASE NO. 1999-wa-599 |
PLAINTIFFS: Asaki's husband, Daito, daughter Naoko and city councilman Yano
DEFENDANTS: Soka Gakkai, et al. |
PLAINTIFFS' claim that Soka Gakkai illegally prevented distribution of the Higashi Murayama Shimin Shimbun. |
DEFENDANTS |
Court rejected Plaintiffs' claim. Plaintiffs decided not to appeal. Case closed. |
Tokyo District Court (Jan. 26, 2004)
CHIEF JUDGE: Keiko Kobayashi
CASE NO. 1997-wa-2954
|