Miura sues to seek that Japan not cooperate with U.S. probe

May 30 07:47 AM US/Eastern

TOKYO, May 30 (AP) - (Kyodo)—Japanese businessman Kazuyoshi Miura, arrested on Saipan in February on murder and conspiracy charges, filed a lawsuit Friday with the Tokyo District Court seeking that Japan not comply with a request by the United States to cooperate in the investigation on him.

Miura, 60, is being held on Saipan, an island in the U.S. Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, on the charges in connection with the shooting in 1981 that led to the death of his 28-year-old wife Kazumi. Japan's Supreme Court has acquitted Miura of the shooting of his wife.

Photo: Kazuyoshi Miura on Saipan

Miura's side asserted, "Cooperation in the investigation with the United States will damage (Miura's) reputation as it is equivalent to treating him as a suspect although his acquittal was finalized. The damage which stems from such reasons as prolonging detention is huge."

Miura sought that Japan's justice and foreign ministers not take procedures including accepting a request to cooperate in the U.S. investigation over the case.

Regarding the cooperation, Justice Minister Kunio Hatoyama said in a press conference in February, "Generally speaking, his acquittal in Japan does not constitute a reason that Japan will reject providing cooperation."

People related to the U.S. investigation visited Japan in March and consulted with Justice Ministry officials.

According to Miura's lawyer, Miura has said, "I cannot accept the cooperation, which ignores the Supreme Court's acquittal."