Politics · Japan · 2 hrs ago
Tokyo court orders former Japanese lawmaker to pay ¥2.2 million over vaccine remarks
A Tokyo court ordered former lawmaker Kazuhiro Haraguchi to pay ¥2.2 million over comments about a COVID-19 vaccine.
Haraguchi called the company's replica-type vaccine a “biological weapon,” among other claims, on social media and elsewhere.
Meiji Seika Pharma, the vaccine's manufacturer and seller, sued him for damages.
The court said some of his statements were not true and amounted to defamation of the company.
It said Haraguchi's position as a lawmaker at the time gave his words significant reach and influence.
The company had sought ¥10 million, while Haraguchi argued that his comments were criticism of vaccine safety and approval rules.
The court's ruling sets the amount he must pay; the sources give no information about an appeal.
A Tokyo court ordered former Japanese lawmaker Kazuhiro Haraguchi to pay ¥2.2 million in damages to vaccine maker Meiji Seika Pharma.
The court found that some of Haraguchi’s remarks about a COVID-19 vaccine were defamatory.
Haraguchi had described the replicon vaccine as a “biological weapon” in posts and other communications.
Meiji Seika Pharma had sought ¥10 million in damages, arguing that the remarks harmed its reputation and business.
Haraguchi’s side argued that his remarks were commentary on vaccine safety and the government’s approval system.
- Who
- Former lawmaker Kazuhiro Haraguchi and vaccine maker Meiji Seika Pharma.
- What
- The Tokyo District Court ordered Haraguchi to pay ¥2.2 million for defamatory remarks about a COVID-19 vaccine.
- When
- The ruling was issued on October 29, 2026.
- Where
- Tokyo District Court, Japan.
- Why
- The court found that some remarks could not be accepted as true and lowered the company’s social standing.
Meiji Seika Pharma
Kazuhiro Haraguchi
Nature of remarks
Meiji Seika Pharma
The company argued that Haraguchi’s statements damaged its reputation and reduced confidence in its vaccine.
Kazuhiro Haraguchi
Haraguchi’s side said the statements were commentary on vaccine safety and the government’s approval system.
Impact
Meiji Seika Pharma
The company said it received a surge of nuisance calls and suffered reduced sales and substantial financial losses.
Kazuhiro Haraguchi
Haraguchi’s side argued that the remarks did not lower the company’s social standing.
Haraguchi made statements about the replicon vaccine on X and in books, according to the company’s complaint.
Haraguchi’s election pamphlet said the vaccine meant Japanese people were being treated like guinea pigs.
The Tokyo District Court found defamation and ordered Haraguchi to pay ¥2.2 million.
- Damages ordered
- ¥2.2 million
- Damages sought
- ¥10 million
- Plaintiff
- Meiji Seika Pharma, based in Tokyo
- Vaccine name
- The replicon vaccine, sold in Japan as Kostaive
- Approval
- Meiji Seika Pharma received national approval to manufacture and sell the vaccine in November 2023
3 sources
What people are saying
当時、野党に所属する衆議院議員で発言に係る社会への発信力ないし影響力は大きかった
ワクチンの安全性や国の承認制度に対する論評に過ぎず、ファルマ社の社会的評価を低下させるものではない
Not stated