Key Facts
• Former Hyogo assembly member Hideaki Takeuchi investigated governor’s misconduct, faced defamation.
• NHK Party leader Takashi Tachibana accused of defaming Takeuchi before and after his death.
• Takeuchi resigned in November 2024 due to harassment, later diagnosed with depression.
• In January 2025, Takeuchi died by suicide after continued defamation.
• Tachibana claimed Takeuchi fabricated rumors and was under investigation, later denied by police.
• Hyogo police chief at the time refuted Tachibana’s claims as false and baseless.
• Takeuchi’s wife filed a criminal complaint for defamation, which was accepted by authorities.
• Kyoto University professor Satoshi Fujii emphasized the importance of legal judgment in the case.
• Tachibana stated he would work to avoid prosecution.
• Support hotlines for mental health and suicide prevention were highlighted in the report.
Summary
The wife of former Hyogo assembly member Hideaki Takeuchi has filed a criminal complaint against NHK Party leader Takashi Tachibana for defamation. Takeuchi, who investigated misconduct by the Hyogo governor, faced severe harassment and resigned in November 2024. Despite stepping down, defamation continued, leading to his diagnosis of depression and eventual suicide in January 2025. Tachibana accused Takeuchi of fabricating rumors and claimed he was under police investigation, which was later denied by Hyogo police as false. Takeuchi’s wife seeks to protect her late husband’s dignity, stating he was driven to despair by political and social pressures. Legal experts, including Kyoto University professor Satoshi Fujii, stress the importance of thorough legal evaluation in this case. Tachibana has expressed his intent to avoid prosecution. The report also provided resources for mental health and suicide prevention support.
