Aishima Family Seeks UN Probe Into Japan's Justice System

The family and legal team of Aishima Shizuo, a former engineer at Ohkawara Kakohki, have requested that the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention investigate whether his prolonged detention in Japan violated international law.

Aishima was arrested in 2020 on false allegations of exporting biological weaponry equipment. During an 11-month detention, he was diagnosed with stomach cancer, but judges repeatedly denied his requests for bail. He died before the case was dropped and his name was cleared in 2023, resulting in a compensation award of nearly $AUD1.5 million for his family and company.

His son, Aishima Kazuto, and defense lawyer Takano Takashi have filed legal action against 37 judges, alleging a systemic practice of hostage justice used to force confessions. Takano argued the tragedy could have been avoided if judges had fulfilled their professional duties under the Japanese constitution. The Government of Japan denies these claims, asserting that its detention procedures are stipulated in law and provide due consideration to human rights.