Japan police apologise for death of innocent man after long detention

Tokyo: Japan s top law enforcement officials apologised to the family of a businessman who was wrongfully arrested and died after a months long detent...

Tokyo: Japan's top law enforcement officials apologised to the family of a businessman who was wrongfully arrested and died after a months-long detention.

Shizuo Aishima, a former advisor to machinery firm Ohkawara Kakohki, was one of three company executives illegally held in pretrial detention for months on charges that were later dropped.

Human rights campaigners have long demanded an end to Japan's "hostage justice" practice, where investigators use lengthy pretrial detentions to coerce confessions.

Senior officials from the Tokyo police, the top public prosecutor's department and the Tokyo prosecutor's office visited Aishima's family and grave on Monday.

"We sincerely apologise for conducting the illegal investigation and arrest," Tetsuro Kamata, deputy superintendent-general of Tokyo Metropolitan Police, said during a televised meeting with the family.