Japan
Lawsuit to restore journalists' innoncencePosted Apr 19 2008
An attempt to clear the names of several journalists convicted of promoting communism in the 1940s was denied March 13, The Japan Times reports. Over 60 journalists and editors were charged with violating the now-defunct Peace Preservation Law in connection with a democracy-advocating magazine article in the Kaizo (Reform) magazine.
Relatives of five deceased journalists filed a lawsuit to restore the journalists’ innocence. The men were found guilty of being involved in communist advertising and sentenced to two years in prison. Their relatives claim the guilty confessions were obtained through torture. They have been actively pursuing a retrial since 1986.