Japan Press Weekly

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2012 May 9 - 15 [CIVIL RIGHTS]

Ex-JCP local assemblyman wins lawsuit over violation of right to political participation

The Nagoya High Court on May 11 ordered the Nakatsugawa City government to pay 3 million yen in compensation to a former Japanese Communist Party city assemblyman with a vocal disability for infringing on his right to political participation.

Ex-JCP lawmaker in the city, Koike Kimio, in 2002 suffered from hypopharynx cancer and had his vocal cords removed. He demanded that the city assembly allow assembly staff to read his questions for him, but the assembly refused his demand. Koike in 2006 filed a lawsuit against the city claiming that his right to engage in political activities was taken away.

The high court recognized that Koike’s freedom of expression and right to political participation were maliciously violated. On the other hand, the court said that ways for disabled local assembly members to express their opinions depend on each local assembly’s decision.

After the ruling, Koike said, “It’s my pleasure to share my joy with those supporting my lawsuit. However, I wanted the court to make a judgment that equal opportunity for political activities is guaranteed to all assembly members, including the disabled.”