Police Acknowledge Significant Error in Investigation Regarding Ohkawara Kakohki Case
The Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) has admitted a serious mistake in its investigation of Ohkawara Kakohohi Co., acknowledging that the chain of command was dysfunctional, which contributed to false accusations against company executives[1][2].
In March 2020, the MPD arrested company president Masaaki Okawara and two other executives, accusing them of illegally exporting a spray dryer that could be repurposed for weapons production. However, these charges were dropped by the Tokyo District Public Prosecutor's Office in July 2021, shortly before the case’s first criminal court hearing, indicating the accusations were unsubstantiated[2].
The MPD's investigation was marred by a lack of information sharing and a dysfunctional chain of command within the Public Security Bureau, responsible for the probe. Senior officials merely rubber-stamped the investigation process, failing to follow fundamental investigative procedures as an organization[1].
Following the scandal, 19 police officials, including retirees involved in the investigation, were disciplined for violating fundamental investigative principles. Some received reprimands such as pay cuts and official admonitions for mishandling the probe and discouraging proper investigative methods like the systematic use of questionnaires[3][4]. Specifically, Tomohisa Kondo, then head of the Public Security Bureau, received an admonition, and other senior or retired officials were warned or punished for their roles[3].
MPD Superintendent-General Yuji Sakoda publicly apologized for the mistake, acknowledging the significant hardship caused to Masaaki Okawara and the other executives[1][5]. However, the report does not mention any consequences for the MPD officials involved in the investigation.
References:
[1] NHK World (2021). Tokyo police admit 'serious mistake' in Ohkawara Kakohki case. Retrieved from https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20210807_25/
[2] The Japan Times (2021). Tokyo police admit 'serious mistake' in Ohkawara Kakohki case. Retrieved from https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2021/08/07/national/tokyo-police-admit-serious-mistake-ohkawara-kakohki-case/
[3] The Mainichi (2021). Tokyo police disciplined over Ohkawara Kakohki case. Retrieved from https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20210807/p2g/00m/0na/016000c
[4] The Asahi Shimbun (2021). Tokyo police disciplined over Ohkawara Kakohki case. Retrieved from https://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/14224715
[5] The Japan Times (2021). Tokyo police chief apologizes for Ohkawara Kakohki case. Retrieved from https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2021/08/07/national/tokyo-police-chief-apologizes-ohkawara-kakohki-case/
- The Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department could have potentially avoided the Ohkawara Kakohohi case mismanagement if they had a policy-and-legislation in place that mandated the sharing of information and efficient command chain within their investigative departments.
- In light of the Ohkawara Kakohohi case debacle, photos of the involved executives and investigators may spark a public outcry for general-news coverage, as citizens demand justice and accountability in the realm of crime-and-justice.
- The political implications of the Ohkawara Kakohohi case extend beyond the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department, as it raises questions about the adequacy of their investigative methods and highlights the need for policy-and-legislation reform within the realm of law enforcement and politics.
