[Copyright / Quotation] Tokyo District Court, Reiwa 5 (Wa) 70388 <Judge Nakashima>
Updated: 3 days ago
Article information
Article type: Case note
Categories: Copyright
Issues: Quotation
Published on website: 2026-10-08
Display and classification checked: 2026-10-08
[Copyright / Quotation] Tokyo District Court, Reiwa 5 (Wa) 70388 <Judge Nakashima>
An SNS post describing a “most sinister tag team.”
⇒ Permissible quotation was established.
1. Purpose of use
The defendant used an article in the Seikyo Shimbun, to which the defendant subscribed, to criticize Soka Gakkai. The critical purpose was clear, and a connection between the article and the criticism was recognized.
2. Method and manner
Only a single photograph was photographed together with the article and posted. This was not indiscriminate, comprehensive reproduction. The article and criticism corresponded in each post.
3. Nature of the work
The photographs published in the Seikyo Shimbun were news photographs of ordinary meetings and people, with commonplace compositions. Even assuming creativity, its degree was low.
4. Form of use
The posted photographs were coarse and unclear, with details difficult to distinguish. They were not independently suitable for appreciation, and the likelihood of secondary use was low.
5. Effect on the copyright holder
No loss of economic benefit to the plaintiff from the posts was established. The photographs were not made available in high resolution for third-party use.
6. Identification of the source
The defendant indicated the source by expressly mentioning “Seikyo Shimbun” or including those words in the photographed image. Ordinary readers could sufficiently identify the source.
Japan Uni Copyright Center / Full judgment, September 26, 2024
Figures: see the original article.
Original article (2025-10-21):
Originally posted on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7513418111178457088/
Consultation guide by purpose: https://www.takaishihideki.com/en/single-post/consultation-guide-en
Update history
The update history records only changes actually published, with dates.
2026-10-08: First publication of the LinkedIn original; display, classification, and consultation link set.
Images from the original AMEBLO article
English translations of the original image text
Original images retained for comparison
Original AMEBLO article
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