TOKYO: Since 2017, inmate Fusako Shigenobu, founder of the Japanese Red Army, has been detained in the Akishima medical prison in Tokyo.

According to Japanese media, she was transferred from Hachijoji Medical Prison to Akishima Medical Prison in 2017 and is serving a 20-year prison term, but is eligible for release in 2022.

She was indicted for kidnapping and attempted murder in the case of hostage taking at the French Embassy in The Hague, on Feb. 23, 2006. She says she has given up the armed struggle but maintains she will always be a revolutionary.

During her period in hiding, the leader of the Japanese Red Army envisioned a world revolution and moved to be close to the Palestine Liberation Front.

The daily Sankei Shinbun newspaper says that Shigenobu wrote to her lawyer describing the conditions of her detention at the Akishima center. After being treated for cancer, she started working in prison and complained of pain in her  hands after repetitive work.

She also complains about the visiting rooms since measures were taken to protect against COVID-19.  Shigenobu mentioned the fact that she often receives news from Palestine.  

The organization of which she was the military leader caused around 200 deaths in several attacks.