The former chairman of major publisher Kadokawa on Thursday filed a lawsuit against the state for rejecting bail for suspects or defendants who refuse to plead guilty, saying the system represents “hostage justice.”
Tsuguhiko Kadokawa, 80, is seeking ¥220 million ($1.37 million) in damages in the civil lawsuit, saying the practice is unconstitutional.
The practice has been criticized both domestically and internationally, but this is the first time a lawsuit on hostage justice has been filed, according to the plaintiff.