November 15, 2025

The Akahata Editorial Department on November 14 filed a criminal complaint against the perpetrator who threatened a reporter of the Akahata Sunday Edition whose business card image had been posted online by a co-head of the “Nippon Ishin no Kai” party.

Kogiso Yoji (Akahata editor-in-chief) and Yamamoto Toyohiko (Akahata Sunday Edition editor-in-chief) submitted the complaint to the police.

After “Ishin” co-leader Fujita Fumitake posted the image of the reporter’s business card on his X account, someone on an anonymous X account named the reporter, quoting Fujita’s post. The anonymous post read, “Since your face is all over the place, you better watch your back and front, left and right, so you won’t get stabbed for getting cocky.”

The complaint pointed out that this post “is causing the reporter considerable fear of bodily harm, and that this clearly constitutes a crime of intimidation under the Penal Code.”

Kogiso and Yamamoto pointed to the malicious nature of threats against “legitimate criticism through speech and press” directed at politicians. They emphasized that such intimidation “undermines the very foundation of democracy.”

They demanded that Fujita delete the image of the reporter’s business card from the Internet and issue an apology. However, as of November 10, they have received no response from him. They are considering legal action regarding Fujita’s post as well.

Past related articles:
> ‘Ishin’ party co-head admits to misuse of public funds [November 5, 2025]
> Sunday Akahata reporter who reports on Ishin co-head’s money scandal harassed online [November 4, 2025]