(TRANSLATED FROM JAPANESE TEXT)

Kodansha's Apology

NOTICE OF APOLOGY

To the Soka Gakkai:

Photo of Kodansha apology in Shukan Gendai tabloid magazine as published in Japanese

Publisher Kodansha's and editor Masahiko Motoki's apology published in March 8, 2003 issue of Shukan Gendai

In the September 23, 1995, issue of Shukan Gendai, Kodansha Co. Ltd. and Masahiko Motoki, the editor-in-chief and publisher of the magazine, published and distributed an article giving the impression that your organization [Soka Gakkai] murdered Higashi Murayama City Councilwoman Akiyo Asaki. The article was advertised in banner headlines that read: "Unmasking the Mystery of Higashi Murayama City Councilwoman's 'Unnatural Death' / Enraged Husband and Daughter Speak Out! / 'Akiyo Was Killed by Soka Gakkai.'"

For the aforementioned article having caused significant harm to your organization's reputation, Kodansha Co. and Masahiko Motoki express their sincere apologies.

February 24, 2003

Masahiko Motoki, Former Shukan Gendai Editor-in-Chief and Publisher
Sawako Noma, Representative Director
Kodansha Co. Ltd. [1]

[Note: As it appeared in the March 8, 2003 issue of Shukan Gendai]


[1] Husband Daito and daughter Naoko were also ordered by the court to publish an apology in the Shukan Gendai but have yet to do so.

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