Newspaper Editor
Yoichi Yamada, (left) editor of the very progressive Jinmin Shinbun, was arrested on November 21 and is being detained without bail in Kobe city. Yamada is accused of financial fraud, but the human rights community is convinced that this arrest is simply political oppression coming on the tail of the recently enacted conspiracy law (kyôbôzai共謀罪). Police also seized computers and files from the paper's office.
Yamada's first trial will start Friday February 16 (10:30 am) at the Kobe courthouse. A symposium will be held Saturday, February 17 in Amagasaki. ( Location )