1st Quarterly, 2005 No.135

Two-year Sentence for Sender of Discriminatory Postcards

On July 1, the case concerning the mass sending of discriminatory postcards (see Buraku Liberation News No.132) was concluded at the Tokyo District Court with the sentencing of the defendant to two years in prison. After a profile question to the defendant, the judge announced, "The defendant is sentenced to two years in prison with time served for 140 days." Explaining the reason for the sentence, the judge said, "Committing the crime under multiple aliases, the defendant wrote postcards containing extremely abject and discriminatory expressions, evidencing his strong will to perpetrate the crime against the victims, who suffered from defamation, intimidation, psychological distress, and anxiety.

Considering these circumstances, the defendant bears grave responsibility for his actions. Even upon considering all of the conditions in his favor, such his lack of criminal record, it is concluded that he merits sentence without suspension as stated in the text of judgment." This decision affirms discriminatory crimes as being highly serious. The Tokyo Metropolitan Association of the Buraku Liberation League held a rally on the evening of the same day.

At the rally, it was recognized that the trial victory was owed to the extensive movement and public opinion condoning discriminatory crimes. It has also demonstrated the need for a law for remedies for human rights violations.