Chinese Resident in Japan Wins Defamation Case Against Osaka Councilor

According to a report by Asahi Shimbun on April 25: On the 24th, the Osaka District Court ruled on a lawsuit, ordering Osaka city councilor Azuma Shiho to pay compensation and delete certain online videos after a company operated by a Chinese resident in Japan (based in Osaka City) sued her for defamation and demanded 11 million yen (approximately 470,000 RMB). Judge Tano ruled that Azuma must compensate 880,000 yen and remove three video clips containing defamatory statements.

The Chinese man residing in Japan acquired Japanese nationality in 2008. His company primarily organizes music events and has secured contracts for activities hosted by Senzan City in Osaka.

From February to October 23, during an interview with a weekly magazine and on her YouTube channel, city councilor Azuma stated: "It is dangerous to involve Chinese enterprises in public projects," and claimed the company was involved in "illegal dumping (of waste)."

The court ruled there was no evidence proving the company had engaged in illegal dumping. It determined that Azuma's statements lacked factual basis and caused serious harm to the plaintiff. The court ordered the removal of three video clips containing these remarks.

The Chinese resident argued that Azuma’s statements constituted racial hate speech; however, the court rejected this claim, stating: "Many of the remarks were made in discussions about the appropriateness of public fund expenditures and cannot be considered unfair discrimination against foreigners."

Additionally, since Azuma’s comments were not made in the city council session, the court did not accept the plaintiff’s request for compensation from the municipal government.

After the verdict, the Chinese man said: "The outcome was not entirely as expected. I hope you can demonstrate what it truly means to be a politician."

In response to the court ruling, Azuma said regarding her commentary on public spending: "I have not yet confirmed the details of the judgment, so I cannot provide further comment."

Moreover, last October, Azuma was previously ordered by a court to pay 550,000 yen in damages for defaming a South Korean woman who lives in Japan and serves as a corporate executive.

Original source: toutiao.com/article/1863401065020681/

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