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text - text Soka Gakkai Member Cleared of Causing Death of Priest

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- Shinchosha Lawsuit Loss Confirmed

- Shinchosha Loses in Libel Action Over Car Accident Story
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In 1994, a priest of Nichiren Shoshu was killed when his car drifted into oncoming traffic and went head on with a truck. Shortly thereafter, the weekly Shukan Shincho printed an article that claiming the priest involved was murdered by the driver of the truck, who happened to be a Soka Gakkai member.

text It was later declared that the driver, Mr. Nobuyuki Shirayama, was an innocent victim in the accident.

Mr. Shirayama eventually filed a libel lawsuit against the publisher of Shukan Shincho, Shinchosha, and after two years of proceedings, judgments and appeals, the Tokyo Supreme Court ordered the publisher to pay damages to Mr. Shirayama.


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1994 text July 21 text The Chief Priest of Shinmyo-ji Temple in Hokkaido is killed when he car drifts into opposing traffic, leading to a head-on collision with a truck. The driver of the truck was Nobuyuki Shirayama, a Soka Gakkai member.
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Sept. 1 Weekly magazine ‘Shukan Shincho’ claims that the priest was murdered by the Soka Gakkai.
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1996 Mr. Shirayama files a libel suit against Shinchosha, the publisher of ‘Shukan Shincho.’
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Dec. 20 The Sapporo District Court orders Shinchosha to pay damages to Shirayama.
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1997 Sept. 25 The Sapporo High Court turns down Shinchosha’s request to overturn the Sapporo District Court’s ruling.
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1998 March 26 The Supreme Court of Japan rejects Shinchosha’s final appeal.
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