Japan: Public Apology at the Grave of a Man Whose Charges Were Dropped After His Death

The Japanese police and public prosecution issued a public apology at the grave of a man who faced false charges, before he passed away from cancer without receiving proper treatment while in custody.

The apology was directed to Shizu Aishima, 72 years old, who served as the design and development officer at Okawara Kakuheki Machinery Manufacturing Company in Yokohama near Tokyo. Aishima was one of three executives arrested in 2020 on charges related to exporting sensitive industrial equipment without permission.

During his detention, Aishima was diagnosed with stomach cancer, but authorities rejected eight requests made by his lawyers for his release on bail to receive necessary treatment. He died in February 2021, just five months before all charges against him and his colleagues were dropped.

This apology is a rare event in Japan, where law enforcement agencies are usually reluctant to acknowledge mistakes, adding a notable human and legal dimension to the incident.