-No Hate Speech Allowed!- Report Meeting on Appeal Judgment Date for Sannan City Councilor Shiori Soeda to be Held on July 29

In the first instance judgment of the damages lawsuit filed by Ms. Kayo Ri, director of TryHard Japan Co., Ltd. (Chuo-ku, Osaka), against Sannan City Councilor Ms. Shiori Soeda, the court recognized defamation, invasion of privacy, and infringement of portrait rights, ordering damages of 550,000 yen and the deletion of posts remaining on X.

However, the first instance court denied the claim that the core of the lawsuit was hate speech (discriminatory remarks). Therefore, Ms. Kayo Ri appealed to the Osaka High Court on November 7, 2025, seeking recognition that the defendant's actions constituted hate speech (discriminatory remarks). The judgment date will be held at the same court on July 29, 2026 (Wed.) from 2:00 PM. Furthermore, immediately following, around 3:30 PM on July 29 (Wed.), a report meeting will be held at the Osaka Bar Association Hall, featuring Ms. Kayo Ri, attorney Shun Tanaka (appellant's legal representative and head of the legal team), and others. We kindly request the attention of the press and your participation in this press conference.

[1. Schedule and Location of Appeal Judgment Date]

(1) Date and Time: July 29, 2026 (Wed.) from 2:00 PM

(2) Courtroom: Osaka High Court, Annex Building 8th Floor, Courtroom 82

(3) Content: Judgment Date

[2. Parties to the Lawsuit]

(1) Appellant (Intervenor Respondent)

Name: Ms. Kayo Ri

Employer: TryHard Japan Co., Ltd., TryHard Building, 2-5-19 Kyutaro-machi, Chuo-ku, Osaka

(2) Appellee (Intervenor Appellant)

Name: Sannan City Councilor Ms. Shiori Soeda

[3. Entry into Court Procedure]

Location: Near the main entrance of the Osaka District Court

Time: Scheduled for around 1:45 PM

Participants: Ms. Kayo Ri, employees of TryHard Japan Co., Ltd., legal team, etc.

We request photographers to take pictures.

[4. Regarding the Report Meeting]

Date and Time: July 29, 2026 (Wed.) around 3:30 PM (start time may be delayed depending on the proceedings of the judgment date)

Location: Osaka Bar Association Hall (1110, 11th Floor, 1-12-5 Nishi-Tenma, Kita-ku, Osaka)

Attendees: Ms. Kayo Ri, Director of TryHard Japan Co., Ltd.

Mr. Shun Tanaka, Attorney at Evis Law & Accounting Office (Appellant's Legal Representative, Head of Legal Team)

Mr. Kenichi Nishikawa, Representative Attorney at Hibiki Law Firm (Appellant's Legal Representative, Deputy Head of Legal Team)

[5. Application for Participation / Inquiry Form]

https://forms.gle/MD9dFYgURjaWzVHr6

[Contact Information (Legal Team)]

Hibiki Law Firm, Osaka Office

Attorneys: Kono & Fujita

TEL: 06-6208-2341

FAX: 06-6208-2342

E-mail: [email protected]