TOKYO: Tokyo police have taken disciplinary action against 19 high-ranking officials over the wrongful arrests of three men in 2020 linked to the alleged illegal export of sensitive equipment, Kyodo news agency reported.
The Metropolitan Police Department announced the measures Thursday, following a review that highlighted failures in the investigative chain of command.
Superintendent General Yuji Sakoda issued a rare public apology, saying the incident caused “considerable stress and burden” to the president of Ohkawara Kakohki Co and two others.
The Supreme Public Prosecutors’ Office also released its findings, admitting prosecutors failed to properly examine evidence that could have cleared the men.
It added that bail applications should have been handled more flexibly, noting one of the men died of lung cancer while in detention.
The court ordered the Tokyo government and the state to pay compensation. Police and prosecutors later visited the company to apologise.
To prevent future errors, Tokyo police will require bureau chiefs to lead major case meetings and ensure all findings, including those unfavourable to prosecution, are shared.
The National Police Agency also plans to introduce mandatory audio and video recordings during key interrogations.
Company president Masaaki Okawara, 76, and two others were arrested and indicted between March and June 2020 over the suspected export of spray dryers that could be used to produce biological agents.
Prosecutors later dropped the charges in July 2021. In May this year, the Tokyo High Court ruled the arrests and indictments were unlawful. – BERNAMA-KYODO
