Japan Press Weekly

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2015 August 12 - 18 [SOCIAL ISSUES]

Corporations lose in SLAPP suit

The Supreme Court on August 14 turned down an appeal filed by Showa Holdings and an investment fund seeking a large amount of compensation over an article written by a university professor.

The top court ruling will finalize district and high court decisions both recognizing as accurate the content of the scholarly paper analyzing unfair financial transactions which the two companies were involved in.

Nonaka Ikue, professor at Meiji University, published her research paper in the economic magazine “Keizai”. Showa Holdings and Asia Partnership Fund (APF) which virtually controls the HD in July 2012 sued her for libel, demanding 55 million yen in compensation. The case was a typical strategic lawsuit against public participation (SLAPP) used to silence scholars.

Scholars, researchers, and union activists formed a group to counter the SLAPP suit in defense of academic freedom of expression.

After the top court judgment, Nonaka thanked them for their help by saying, “Support from many people has brought about this victory.”

She went on to say, “It was a difficult time for me because of the extortionate amount of compensation demanded and the length of the 3-year court battle, but as a researcher I tried to motivate myself to not give in to their pressure. I’d like to continue contributing to educational, research, and social activities.”

Past related articles:
> Court rejects investment company’s claim in SLAPP[May 20, 2014]
> Researchers concerned about decline in academic freedom by SLAPP lawsuit[June 14, 2013]