Defendant in first trial for slashing of party leader Takashi Tachibana from NHK; ``I admit everything'' at arraignment

On the 2nd, the Tokyo District Court (presiding judge Kazunobu Eguchi) held the first trial of unemployed Shion Miyanishi (32), who was charged with attempted murder and other crimes in connection with the incident in March 2025 when Takashi Tachibana (59), leader of the political group ``Party to Protect the People from NHK'', was slashed in Kasumigaseki, Tokyo, where he was giving a street speech. At his arraignment, Miyanishi said, ``I admit everything.''

[Photo feature] Incidents in which politicians were attacked

Mr. Tachibana was indicted by the Kobe District Public Prosecutors Office on charges of defamation of the deceased former prefectural assemblyman, then 50 years old, in connection with the issue of the accusation document against Hyogo Prefecture Governor Motohiko Saito, and is currently in detention. I attended Miyanishi's trial using the victim participation system. Wearing a dark blue suit and black shirt, he sat behind the prosecutor and calmly watched the proceedings.

According to the indictment, Miyanishi allegedly slashed Tachibana in the head with murderous intent on March 14, 2025, on the sidewalk in front of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry in Kasumigaseki, Tokyo, causing injuries that lasted three weeks. Mr. Tachibana was running for the Chiba prefecture gubernatorial election to be counted in the same month.