Arab News Japan

TOKYO: About 40 people lined up outside the Tokyo Court of Justice on Feb 9. to attend a hearing on the death of Fumiaki Hoshino.

Hoshino was a militant leader of the Japan university student league Zengakuren who was imprisoned for more than 32 years after being implicated in the death of a police officer during a demonstration in Tokyo against the construction of an American military base in Okinawa.
 
Hoshino’s lawyers and wife attended the fourth hearing at the Tokyo District Court and demanded medical records concerning Hoshino’s death.
 
After Hoshino’s death last year from liver cancer, his supporters wanted clarification concerning the circumstances of his passing. They say the state and the medical prison administration did not place Hoshino in intensive care after liver surgery. He died a few days after his operation when his health suddenly deteriorated. His lawyers have yet to receive documents relating to his death and hospitalization.
 
Two defendants were implicated in the death of policeman Tsuneo Nakamura in the 1971 demonstration, and both pleaded their innocence. Hoshino was convicted following statements by witnesses who were put under pressure by the police. These statements were then retracted during the trial.
 
Japanese authorities have faced severe pressure recently for what is called “hostage justice.” Those accused of crimes can be held for 23 days and interrogations are conducted without lawyers, leading to frequent accusations of forced confessions.
 
Masaki Osaka, the other person accused, was recently arrested after 46 years on the run. Supporters of the two defendants say prosecutors have no direct evidence of the involvement of Hoshino and Osaka in the death of the police officer.
 
More than 80 people protested outside the Justice Ministry and around the Tokyo District Court, demanding evidence concerning Hoshino’s death and calling for the release of Masaaki Osaka.