Japanese police officials apologized to the family of Shizuo Aishima, a businessman who died after being wrongfully detained for months on false charges, highlighting issues with Japan's 'hostage justice' system and prompting calls for reform.
Canadian police have apologized for the delay in pressing charges against four NHL players and one former player accused of sexually assaulting a woman in 2018. The case was reopened after new evidence came to light, and all five individuals have denied the allegations. The police chief expressed regret for the time it took to reach this point, while the NHL launched its own investigation and stated that the players will not be with their teams as the trial commences. The next court appearance for the players is scheduled for April 30, and a sexual assault conviction in Canada carries a maximum of 10 years in prison.
Police in Massachusetts apologized after an officer was sent to a middle school to search for a copy of "Gender Queer: A Memoir" following a complaint about concerning illustrations. The book, written by Maia Kobabe, explores the author's journey with identity and has been frequently banned or challenged in school libraries. The police department and the Berkshire County District Attorney referred the matter to the school district, while school officials apologized for how the incident was handled. The incident has raised concerns about book bans targeting LGBTQ and marginalized communities.