Dysfunction uncovered in Ohkawara Kakohki's command chain investigation
Tokyo Police Department to Address Dysfunctional Chain of Command in Major Investigation
The Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is set to release a report concluding that the chain of command in an investigation into machinery maker Ohkawara Kakohki Co. was dysfunctional. This follows a finalized ruling on a damages lawsuit that concluded the investigation was illegal.
The MPD's investigation, launched in 2017, focused on suspicions of illegal export of machinery potentially usable for military purposes. However, flawed procedures led to false accusations later withdrawn by prosecutors and significant legal consequences for the MPD, including a court ordering compensation to the plaintiffs.
The report highlights serious organizational failures within the Public Security Bureau. Senior officials, including bureau chiefs, were not properly informed about critical unfavorable information, often leading to mere rubber-stamping of investigative procedures without sufficient oversight or intervention.
The lack of communication and supervision allowed investigators to proceed unchecked, resulting in wrongful arrests and prolonged detainment of the company's president and two executives. Key details include the withholding of critical information, lack of basic investigative standards, excessive investigator autonomy, failure to heed external concerns, and a failure to follow investigative procedures.
As a consequence, 19 current and former police officials, including senior Public Security Bureau personnel and retired officials who played central roles, were punished with admonitions, warnings, or pay cuts for mishandling the probe. MPD Superintendent-General Yuji Sakoda publicly apologized for the mistakes and the distress caused to the accused executives.
In response to the dysfunction within the chain of command, the MPD is creating a new office for investigation guidance within the Public Security Bureau. This office aims to bolster reviews of statutory interpretations and gathered evidence from a third-party perspective. The new office is not related to the potential disciplinary actions against senior officials and retirees.
The MPD's actions are aimed at preventing recurrences of dysfunction within the chain of command in investigations. The team that examined the probe of Ohkawara Kakohki, headed by the MPD's deputy superintendent-general, conducted interviews with the chief and other senior members of the Public Security Bureau.
The MPD is also considering disciplinary action against multiple people involved in the investigation, including senior officials of the Public Security Bureau and those who have already retired. The report and potential disciplinary actions are scheduled for release.
- The Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is considering sharing the report and potential disciplinary actions with relevant policy-and-legislation departments for review, as it aims to improve investigation policies and prevent similar dysfunctional chains of command.
- In the wake of the failure in the investigation of machinery maker Ohkawara Kakohki Co., the MPD will now make a conscious effort to ensure transparency by regularly sharing photos and key findings of their investigations with the general public, fostering a culture of accountability.
- Following the release of the report highlighting serious organizational failures, politicians and media outlets have shown interest in conducting interviews with key players involved in the investigation to gain further insights into the circumstances that led to the dysfunctional chain of command.
