Greenpeace activists Junichi Sato and Toru Suzuki, better known as the Tokyo Two, are on trial for intercepting a box of whale meat as part of an investigation into an embezzlement ring within Japan’s taxpayer-funded ‘research’ whaling programme.
The Japanese government subsidises the loss-making whaling programme to the tune of US$5 million a year, making the embezzlement of whale meat exposed by Junichi and Toru a significant crime. But instead of the criminals behind the embezzlement facing justice, it’s the Toyko Two who find themselves in the dock.
It’s a politically charged case, and although the prosecutor has a duty to disclose all of the evidence for and against Junichi and Toru so they can properly defend themselves, much of the key evidence needed for their defence has been concealed.
This has forced appeals to the Sendai High Court and now the Supreme Court, the highest court in Japan, with the Tokyo Two and their lawyers repeatedly asking for disclosure. While some statements have been disclosed, most of the relevant information in them was blanked out. Additionally, a total of 15 pages are missing from important statements.
Even the very limited information which has been disclosed contains strong indications that explanations provided by the government in response to the embezzlement scandal were fabrications, and that Junichi and Toru were justified in intercepting the box because they were exposing embezzlement of large amounts of prime whale meat.
The Supreme Court is Junichi and Toru’s last chance to get disclosure of evidence that could further prove the embezzlement and, in turn, their innocence.
Take action
Please sign the petition to ask that the Supreme Court to order the disclosure of all material surrounding the whale meat scandal so that a fair trial can take place, in accordance with Japan’s obligations under international human rights law
Sign the Petition – Click here
