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ZWC_yamada 
On Wednesday, October 15, 2014, at 10:30 AM, the second hearing of the appeal trial in the national compensation lawsuit in the case of Mr. Suraj was held in courtroom 825 of the Tokyo High Court. The public gallery was almost completely full.
This time, it was the plaintiff's side's argument. Attorney Taniguchi of the Suraj legal team gave a presentation of about 10 minutes. His explanation was simple and clear, pointing out obvious inconsistencies such as the change in the defendant's argument between the first and second trials (in the first trial, it was explained that Suraj died solely from heart disease, but in the second trial, it was argued that he died from a combination of stress from repatriation and the disease), and the fact that, four years after the incident, the government brought up a new heart condition in Suraj that no one had noticed before in the second trial. He concluded by asserting that "no one can deny that (Suraj) died as a result of the restraint."
After the trial, we moved to the Hibiya Library and Culture Center to give a report.
The next hearing will be on Wednesday, January 21, 2015, at 10:30 AM in Courtroom 825 of the Tokyo High Court. The defendant will present their arguments, but if there are no particularly new arguments, the trial may conclude at this next hearing.
Ladies and gentlemen, the appeal trial is nearing its end. Just a little longer. It seems that it is unusual to be allowed 10 minutes for a presentation during the appeal trial, as we have done this time. This is likely because the large number of spectators attending each hearing has made a significant impression on the presiding judge. We would appreciate your continued support in attending the hearings.
(Whether or not tickets will be distributed to attendees is still undecided. A decision is expected around January, and we will announce it on the APFS website and blog around that time.)