Press Conference on Jimmy Lai Verdict — House of Representatives, Tokyo
- Project
- ACT-015
- Location
- House of Representatives Members' Office Building, Tokyo, Japan
- Date
- 19 December 2025
- Partners
- Japanese Parliamentary Human Rights Alliance
On 19 December 2025, Lady Liberty Hong Kong joined members of the cross-party Japanese Parliamentary Human Rights Alliance at the House of Representatives Members' Office Building in Tokyo for a press conference responding to the Hong Kong court's conviction of Apple Daily founder Jimmy Lai.
The Alliance members present included Yamao Shiori and former Defense Minister Nakatani Gen — both of whom were named by name in the Hong Kong court proceedings as part of the prosecution's case against Lai.
Alric Lee, Representative Director of Lady Liberty Hong Kong, presented a detailed analysis of the court's 856-page judgment. The judgment, he explained, fails to establish any direct connection between Jimmy Lai and lobbying activities in foreign countries. The prosecution's evidence rested primarily on two foundations: Apple Daily editorials characterised as being "aligned in position" with Lai's alleged foreign collusion, and records of WhatsApp group exchanges. On the basis of this evidence, the court convicted Lai of collusion with foreign forces under the National Security Law.
The Alliance subsequently issued a statement calling on the Japanese government to formally condemn the Hong Kong court's verdict and to demand the immediate release of Jimmy Lai.