The article discusses Taiki Taniguchi, a lawyer who initially left his profession due to feelings of helplessness while fighting for the rights of marginalized individuals in Japan. Despite his dedication to working with underrepresented voices at public offices and the Japan Legal Support Center, he faced overwhelming challenges when legal battles revealed systemic inequities in the judicial system. A significant turning point for Taniguchi was being involved in a case concerning the tragic death of a Ghanaian man during deportation, which underscored the substantial power imbalance between ordinary citizens and the state.

Taniguchi recounts the experience of losing a critical case against the government, where he and his team struggled against the state’s vast resources and expert testimonies that undermined their arguments. They faced significant obstacles in accessing expert medical opinions and researching complex medical literature, eventually leading to the court failing to recognize the state’s responsibility despite the man's untimely death under tragic circumstances. This experience left Taniguchi pondering the limitations of the legal system and the lack of a structured framework for public lawsuits in Japan, where only a few lawyers shoulder the weight of such important but unsustainable work.

Furthermore, the article highlights the need for organizations dedicated to public lawsuits in Japan, pointing to an existing structural issue within the legal landscape that hampers efforts to create meaningful change for those in need. Taniguchi’s narrative not only sheds light on individual struggles but also reflects broader societal challenges regarding legal representation and justice for vulnerable populations. By advocating for systemic reforms, Taniguchi aims to ensure that public interest cases are addressed adequately and that marginalized individuals have a fighting chance within the judicial system.