Japan's "kisha" press clubs have long been criticized for their closed, controlled nature and the various privileges solely accorded their members.
Freelance journalist Yu Terasawa again is trying to buck the system; he filed a civil suit against the government Wednesday at the Tokyo District Court.
Terasawa is demanding 2.48 million yen on the grounds of discrimination against freelance journalists and obstruction of freedom of the press -- Articles 14 and 21 of the Constitution -- alleging he was denied seats in the media section of courtroom galleries and access to trial transcripts of verdicts.