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Japan Punk Rock Lawyer Leads Climate Justice Fight
Over 450 plaintiffs accuse Japan's central government of unconstitutional climate inaction and criticize weak emissions targets, with experts noting slim chances but potential awareness impact.
- Last month, Akihiro Shima, 63-year-old Japan punk lawyer, filed a damages suit rallying over 450 plaintiffs against the central government of Japan over a `grossly inadequate` climate response.
- Citing Japan's climate goals, they argue Tokyo's inaction is `unconstitutional` and criticise emissions targets as unambitious, despite Japan's pledge of 60 by 2035 and 73 by 2040 compared with 2013.
- A product of the late-1970s punk movement, Shima retrained as a lawyer in 2010 and performed at a packed Tokyo bar nine days after filing, sporting a mohawk and bright-red jacket.
- Despite long odds, legal experts say the suit’s chances of winning are slim but it could raise awareness, while Kumiko Aoki and Shima acknowledge this might be his last case.
- Drawing on theatrical protests including a nude CD-cover stunt in front of parliament, Shima says `I will try` to write climate songs and recalls his post-2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster lawsuit and band formation.
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46 Articles
46 Articles
Former punk musician became a lawyer, Akihiro Shima gathered more than 450 complainants to attack the Japanese state, accused of "inconstitutional" climate inaction. At 63, he still mixes committed riffs
Coverage Details
Total News Sources46
Leaning Left4Leaning Right8Center10Last UpdatedBias Distribution46% Center
Bias Distribution
- 46% of the sources are Center
46% Center
L 18%
C 46%
R 36%
Factuality
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