Take Asian Lead in Protesting Sham Trial of Jimmy Lai

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The trial of Jimmy Lai (Lai Chee-ying), the founder of the Hong Kong newspaper Apple Daily and a prominent Asian democracy activist, has concluded. Hong Kong charged Lai with violating its National Security Law and other offenses.

In their closing arguments before the Hong Kong court, defense attorneys argued that Lai is innocent. However, it is widely expected that Lai will be found guilty. That is because the Chinese government has portrayed Lai as the mastermind behind anti-government activities in Hong Kong.

Reports also indicate that Lai is in poor health and there is concern that he will be given a life sentence.

Lai was arrested and charged with using his media outlets to allegedly call on foreign governments to impose sanctions on China and Hong Kong. According to the charges, his actions and reporting by his paper, Apple Daily, undermined China's national security. The case is symbolic of the suppression of Hong Kong's pro-democracy movement and freedom of speech.

Democracies Speak Outー So Must Japan

On August 14, United States President Donald Trump said, "I'm going to do everything I can to save him."

*Jimmy Lai in 2020. (©Sankei by Kinya Fujimoto)*

Lai is a British citizen, and in December 2023 the British foreign secretary issued a statement which read in part: "I urge the Chinese authorities to repeal the National Security Law and end the prosecution of all individuals charged under it. I call on the Hong Kong authorities to end their prosecution and release Jimmy Lai."

What is truly unfortunate is that Japan has not spoken out about the Lai case. Japan is the only Asian member of the G7. Why don't Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya call out the Hong Kong authorities and the Chinese government that is pulling the strings in the Lai prosecution?

In fact, Japan has a direct connection to the case. The prosecution alleges that Lai colluded with foreign forces to endanger national security, and Shiori Kanno, a former member of Japan's lower house, has been named as one of his co-conspirators. It is totally outrageous that political activities taking place in Japan should be considered a criminal offense in Hong Kong.

Human Rights and Life at Stake

Arrests and trials based on the National Security Law violate fundamental human rights. They deny freedom of speech and assembly, among other rights, making the arrests absolutely unacceptable.

Moreover, Lai has already been in jail for four years and eight months and there are growing concerns about his health. The Japanese government should cooperate with the United States and United Kingdom governments in strongly demanding his prompt release.

Nor should we by any means forget the cases of other Hong Kong democracy activists, including Benny Tai Yiu Ting and Mr Joshua Wong. They, too, have been imprisoned for their political activities.

Their activities would be considered legitimate in any democratic country. However, they are treated as serious crimes in Hong Kong, where China has reneged on the "one country, two systems" principle it agreed to when Hong Kong reverted to Chinese control.

*Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba at LDP headquarters, August 19 (©Sankei by Ataru Haruna).*

Japan Must Lead Asia's Democracies

In April 2021, then-Secretary of State Antony Blinken issued a statement saying that the United States would continue to seek the release of those detained and imprisoned for their advocacy of democracy in Hong Kong.

What is needed now is pressure from the international community on the Chinese Communist Party regime. More voices need to be raised in protest against the ongoing oppression in Hong Kong.

As an Asian democracy, Japan should take the lead in this respect.

Author: Editorial Board, The Sankei Shimbun

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