Society Three Japanese sue government over forced removal of rainbow socks

Three individuals, including Meiji University professor Ken Suzuki, have filed a lawsuit against the Japanese government, claiming that court orders to cover rainbow socks and a hoodie message during separate trials were unjustified. While judges have the authority to maintain order in the courtroom, the plaintiffs argue that these specific actions were excessive. The lawsuit with the Tokyo District Court seeks damages of 3.3 million yen. The incident involving Suzuki occurred during a same-sex marriage trial in the Fukuoka District Court in June 2023.

According to the complaint, Suzuki was urged by Fukuoka court officials to hide the rainbow pattern on his socks ahead of the court hearing, and was finally allowed to enter the courtroom after folding the pattern inward. The rainbow pattern is widely known as a symbol of sexual diversity. One of the other plaintiffs, a supporter of Iwao Hakamada, 88, who was acquitted of murder in a retrial, was ordered to cover the "Hakamada" part of "Free Hakamada" writing printed on his hoodie when he attended the retrial at the Shizuoka District Court.

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Suzuki stated that he had asked the court staff the reason for the order, but they only replied that it was a directive from the presiding judge. He noted that he had previously attended a same-sex marriage trial at the Tokyo District Court, where he had worn identical socks without any issue. Suzuki expressed his desire to apply a clear and consistent standard in such situations.