NICHIREN SHOSHU PRIEST ACCIDENT
--TIMELINE--
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| DATES |
EVENTS |
| July 21, 1994 |
A Nichiren Shoshu priest dies in a head-on collision with a truck in Hokkaido. After investigation by police and an insurance company, it was determined the accident was wholly the priest's fault because his car had run into the opposing lane. |
| Sept. 1, 1994 (issue) |
Weekly tabloid Shukan Shincho reports that the truck driver, who was a Soka Gakkai member, intentionally killed a priest through a premeditated traffic accident. |
| Oct. 5, 1994 |
The truck driver, Nobuyuki Shirayama, files a libel suit against Shukan Shincho's publisher, Shinchosha. |
| Oct. 11, 1994 |
A Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) politician presents Shukan Shincho article in a nationally televised Diet debate in order to expose Soka Gakkai as a group of dangerous people. |
| Dec. 20, 1996 |
The Sapporo District Court rules Shinchosha, publisher of Shukan Shincho, is liable for defamation, and orders it to pay 1.1 million yen in damages. |
| Sep. 25, 1997 |
Sapporo High Court upholds District Court decision |
| Mar. 26, 1998 |
The Supreme Court rejects an appeal by publisher Shinchosha and upholds lower court decisions. Case closed in favor of Mr. Shirayama. |
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