Tokyo Unnatural Forensics

Chapter 285, Justice Delayed is Injustice

In the Japanese system, overturning a verdict is extremely difficult. The prosecution has a 99% success rate, while the appellate court has only a 10% chance of overturning the original verdict compared to the trial court. Even if the original verdict is not upheld, the appellate court will almost always only reduce the sentence or consider modifying the charges.

Because without new evidence, the appellate court will basically only examine whether there are any problems with the procedural process of the first instance, and will not consider anything else at all.

At the same time, although the police, prosecutors and courts in Japan are theoretically three separate systems, the courts are clearly weaker than the prosecutors. The two sides have to deal with each other a lot to exchange resources and maintain their relationship. They generally won't fall out over some unimportant cases. It's a win-win situation.

They are all public servants, lowly public instruments earning only a few hundred thousand yen a month. Why bother making trouble for themselves?

Similarly, if the previous result is overturned, everyone involved in the matter, from the police to the district prosecutor to the court, will be affected. Japanese law stipulates that whoever makes the judgment is responsible. This idea was well-intentioned, but it has gradually turned into everyone in the whole chain covering up and guaranteeing each other.

Uesugi Muneyuki's appearance disrupted the status quo. He almost single-handedly proved to everyone through scientific means that the evidence was problematic, the body was problematic, and the police's judgment was problematic.

None of the parties present were willing to reopen the investigation, but they had nothing to say about Uesugi Muneyuki's judgment.

So, at Uesugi Muneyuki's request, five years later, the Special Investigation Headquarters for Murder and Body Disposal in Yokosuka City, Kanagawa Prefecture was established to begin a reinvestigation of the case.

Acting Chief Kobayashi immediately convened a group of key personnel from the Criminal Investigation Division to form a Special Investigation Headquarters, and requested technical guidance from the Special Missions Division.

“I told you already! I told you!” Nikaido Kei’s parents kept emphasizing, “Before he left, Kei told us that he was going to take care of something important, and if he didn’t come back, we should call the police. But what did you do? You kept denying what we said! Now we’re going to tell Mr. Uesugi right here and now.”

"Call the police?!" Uesugi Muneyuki nodded. "What exactly happened?"

“We don’t know the specifics,” Nikaido’s father and wife said. “Before his accident, Kei had been preoccupied. He often told us that there were problems with the company, but when we asked him what they were, he wouldn’t say and always looked unhappy.”

"A company?" Inspector Okada flipped through the files: "Nidoji Foreign Trade Co., Ltd."

"Yes." The deceased's family insisted, "We've told the police many times that our department head, Kenji Mitamura, is a prime suspect, but they just ignore us and refuse to file a case!"

"Where is Kenji Mitamura now?" Inspector Okada asked quickly.

"The search is still ongoing!" The entire Special Investigation Headquarters was in chaos, with dozens of detectives from the Kanagawa headquarters participating in the search.

"I don't need you to search anymore, you bunch of useless idiots!" Nikaido's father was furious: "Mitamura Ken resigned from his job and fled to South Africa shortly after the incident five years ago!"

"What?" Erena's eyes widened in surprise. The tall beauty had originally planned to take matters into her own hands and personally apprehend the murderer. "Then we should apply for extradition immediately!"

"Sigh, I really don't know what to say to you, Ikeda." The forensic beauty sighed beside him: "We only have extradition treaties with the United States and South Korea."

"Then let's go straight to South Africa and arrest them!" Erena said with a determined air, straightening her back. "We'll contact the Ministry of Foreign Affairs immediately and communicate with the South African side!"

"..." Ishihara Mikoto was too lazy to pay attention to Erena. Since there was no body, the forensic beauty had nothing to do.

"Besides these, is there anything else you can tell us?" Uesugi Muneyuki asked Nikaido's father.

“Over the years, we have been investigating this matter. When the police didn’t investigate, we investigated on our own, hiring detectives. We have never forgotten that our son died unjustly and without cause.” Nikaido’s father nodded. He took out a document and handed it to Uesugi Muneyuki: “But we really can’t trust these useless people in Kanagawa. Now that Uesugi Forensic Officer is here, let’s be frank.”

"According to our investigation, he was with Ken Mitamura that day. We don't know exactly what happened, but Ken Mitamura has a lover named Yukari Kitano. After the incident, she also went abroad to South Africa with Ken Mitamura. However, unlike Ken Mitamura, she returned to Japan three years ago and now lives in Chiba Prefecture. We strongly suspect that this matter is related to Ken Mitamura and Yukari Kitano."

After saying that, Nikaido's family handed over all the investigation results to Uesugi Muneyuki.

“Even private investigators are more useful than the Kanagawa police.” Inspector Okada looked at the Kanagawa Prefectural Police, who were busy investigating exit reports at the Special Investigation Headquarters, and shook his head helplessly: “What should we do? Should we hand it over to Kanagawa, or do it ourselves?”

"Do it ourselves? Are you kidding me? There are only four of us!" Ishihara Mikoto said irritably. "Shouldn't we at least request support from the headquarters?"

"No need, Ishihara, you can stay here. Uesugi and I will go!" Erina had been annoyed with Mikoto for a long time: "Anyway, the techies can stay in the back!"

"Tsk, just like you, Ikeda. Are you going to eat some salted plums next, and then ride your bike all the way to Chiba with Uesugi on your back along Tokyo Bay?" Mikoto had been annoyed with Erena for a long time.

Hmph~ Muscle idiot! He doesn't understand anything in his head, he's only fit to be a little brother's cup, and he's a self-satisfied pig who only knows how to use his body to seduce people and uses judo as an excuse to have secret rendezvous with them!
Hmph~ You lewd teacher! You take advantage of Uesugi-kun's youth and innocence, not only sneaking off to eat with him, but also taking advantage of his lingering feelings for you, dressing up in fancy clothes to come to work every day!

The forensic beauty and the tall beauty are hostile to each other and neither will give way.

Upon witnessing this, Inspector Okada bravely and fearlessly advanced, resolutely shielding Uesugi Muneyuki in front of him. However, Uesugi Muneyuki was not paying attention to the two women's fight at this moment. After hearing Mikoto's words, he suddenly realized something: "Yes, perhaps we really should request assistance from the headquarters..."

Upon hearing Uesugi Muneyuki's words, Ishihara Mikoto secretly made a "V" sign with a smug look, while Erina pouted aggrievedly, looking at her partner.

"Wait a minute, I need to make a phone call." Uesugi Muneyuki gestured for everyone to be quiet; he needed to call Sugishita Ukyo, the head of the First Investigation Division.

The call was answered almost instantly.

"Hey, as expected of Uesugi-kun, he overturned the case on the same day," Section Chief Sugishita Ukyo said with a laugh on the phone.

"This is all thanks to you, Section Chief 1," Uesugi Muneyuki said calmly. "Now it's your turn to shine, Section Chief 1. You and Chief Cabinet Secretary Onoda are quite familiar with each other, aren't you?"

"Well, a little bit..." Sugoshita Ukyo wanted to cover up.

"Then I'll ask you a favor. Could you ask Chief Cabinet Secretary Onoda whether the Public Security Bureau's investigation into the Kudo-kai case in Yokohama involved Yokosuka City, specifically the Nidoji Foreign Trade Co., Ltd. involved in the Nikaido case?" Uesugi Muneyuki said, "You can't refuse, Section Chief, after all, I haven't refused your request."

"understood."

At the Sakurada Gate of the Metropolitan Police Department, Sugishita Ukyo put down the phone, thought for a moment, and then dialed the number of Chief Cabinet Secretary Onoda Kimiaki.

"Oh well, I knew it would turn out like this." Chief Cabinet Secretary Onoda was silent for a moment on the phone, then said with a hint of amusement, "Ukyo, you couldn't get Uesugi-kun to obey either?"

"The police's duty is to protect the lives, property, and physical safety of the people," said Sugishita Ukyo.

“A policeman’s duty is to obey orders.” Onoda Kimiaki’s reply was even faster: “You are his superior, he must learn to obey; I am your superior, you must learn to obey.”

"So, could you reveal the results of the police investigation?" Sugishita Ukyo knew this was an eternal antagonism between the two of them, so he could only change the subject.

"Well, what good will it do to know? The man died five years ago. And you said the main suspect has already gone abroad. Are you and Uesugi planning to go to South Africa to confront him?" Chief Cabinet Secretary Onoda's reply was icy.

“No, we police have already wronged Nikaido’s family far too much. At the very least, we must clarify the truth. This is the only thing we can do to make amends now. Besides, it seems that someone who knows the whole story has returned to Japan.” Sugishita Ukyo was equally polite but resolute: “Please tell me, okay?”

“I often regret arranging for you to become the head of the First Investigation Division, Ukyo.” Chief Cabinet Secretary Onoda pondered for a long time: “The Nidoji Foreign Trade Company is indeed related to the Kudo-kai. The Public Security Bureau’s investigation found that it was this foreign trade company that smuggled a lot of narcotics through transshipment trade with Southeast Asia and other countries.”

"I see, thank you."

"You owe me a favor, Ukyo."

“I don’t owe anyone any favors. This is simply the duty of a police officer, Chief Cabinet Secretary Onoda.” With that, Sugishita Ukyo hung up the phone.

"Always so childish, Ukyo." After hanging up the phone, Chief Cabinet Secretary Onoda couldn't help but shake his head, his tone full of reproach.

However, the chief secretary standing next to him saw that after Onoda Kimiaki spoke with Sugishita Ukyo, all the fatigue and gloom on his body vanished, and a proud and smug smile appeared on his lips.

He never regretted appointing Sugishita Ukyo as the head of the first section.

The secretary thought to herself that the relationship between the two was really strange and ambiguous. They were always in conflict but always eating together. They always disagreed but could cooperate closely. One liked to use his power to oppress the other liked to talk about justice and morality. While they were playing this game of wits, one thing after another was resolved.

Soon, Uesugi Muneyuki received a call from Sugishita Ukyo.

Yes, Nidoji Foreign Trade Co., Ltd. is indeed related to the Kudo-kai in the Yokohama case.

Upon receiving this news, a flash of inspiration struck Uesugi Muneyuki.

Drowning, suicide, a fallen police officer, nine police reports and six appeals that were not accepted, Erdaosi Foreign Trade Company, Kudo Association, narcotics, fleeing to South Africa!

I understand, I understand everything!

I understand!
(End of this chapter)