Particle.news
Download on the App Store

Tokyo Court Orders Shinchōsha to Pay ¥1.1 Million for Defaming Nakamoto Koji’s Partner

The judge ruled the “monster wife” label was a personal attack that exceeded permissible opinion.

Overview

  • The Tokyo District Court issued the March 19 ruling under Presiding Judge Takuro Nakano.
  • Singer Junka Miyoshi, the partner of the late The Drifters member Koji Nakamoto, brought the suit over Weekly Shinchō coverage.
  • Articles published from October 2022 to May 2023 described her as a “monster wife” and discussed alleged handling of a posthumous naming fee.
  • The court found much of the reporting was true or based on reasonable grounds yet concluded the epithet targeted her character and constituted defamation.
  • Miyoshi sought ¥22 million in damages, the court awarded ¥1.1 million, and Weekly Shinchō said it is considering an appeal.