Three former executives of the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department have paid a total of 5.28 million yen to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government after being found liable for a wrongful conviction involving Okawara Chemical Machinery.
In a significant case regarding the Okawara Chemical Machinery wrongful conviction, three former officials of the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department have personally paid a sum of 5.28 million yen to the Tokyo government. This payment follows a recommendation from the Tokyo audit committee which suggested the exercise of 'recourse rights.' The officials involved, including former police chief Makoto Watanabe and police sergeant Yuto Miyazono, were identified for their roles in a flawed investigation that led to the wrongful arrest and indictment of the company's president and other executives.
The Tokyo High Court, which ruled against the police in the civil compensation lawsuit, determined that the actions taken during the investigation were illegal, resulting in the Tokyo government being ordered to pay approximately 185 million yen in damages. This ruling acknowledged the heavy negligence of Watanabe and Miyazono and stated that intent could be ascribed to another officer, Deputy Inspector Shinsuke Asaka, further complicating their accountability in the case.
In response to the court's findings of illegal procedures, the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department has expressed a commitment to preventing such occurrences in the future. The department's acknowledgment of its past failures is echoed in their statement that they will continue efforts to ensure that a similar wrongful conviction does not happen again, highlighting the ongoing need for accountability in law enforcement practices.
