International Terrorist” Fusako Shigenobu’s “Madness of Release from Prison” after 20 Years in Prison

I met with her on the night of May 28, the day of her release. When I said to her, ‘You finally came back alive,’ she said cheerfully, ‘Of course I did! She said cheerfully, ‘Of course! She also told me that she had made it her theme to come back alive.

On May 28, Fusako Shigenobu, 76, a former top leader of the JRA, was released from prison. Shigenobu was arrested in 2000 in Osaka, where she was hiding, for her involvement in the “Hague Incident,” the occupation of the French Embassy in the Netherlands in ’74. He was sentenced to 20 years in prison for attempted murder and other crimes.

A large number of press gathered in front of the East Japan Adult Correctional Medical Center where he was being held. Other supporters of Shigenobu held a banner that read “WE♡FUSAKO”. In addition, supporters of Shigenobu held a banner that read “WE♡FUSAKO,” and a town propaganda van protested in the surrounding area, creating a “prison release frenzy.

After his release from prison, Shigenobu gave a 10-minute interview in a nearby park. He apologized for past incidents, saying that he had harmed innocent people by putting his own fighting first.

During his 20 years in prison, Shigenobu underwent four cancer surgeries. His physical strength had deteriorated considerably, and “he collapsed on the day of his release and later received an intravenous drip at a hospital,” according to Adachi. How will Mr. Shigenobu live after his release from prison? Kyoko Otani, the lawyer representing Mr. Shigenobu, said, “For the time being, he is expected to concentrate on his medical treatment.

He was found to have polyps in March, but since it was right before his release from prison, we decided it would be better to operate on them after his release. He wants to live alone with his daughter, so I think we will focus on supporting her from now on.”

On the other hand, there are some concerns. Although nearly half a century has passed since the Dhaka Incident and many other incidents involving the JRA, seven JRA members are still on the run.

Even at the time of her release from prison, some media outlets were ‘lifting the lid’ on her, introducing her as having ‘expanded the organization through her skillful control of people’s hearts and minds. Senior investigators are wary that some young people may be inspired by her, as was the case when the Islamic State expanded its influence.

Mitsuhiro Suganuma, former director of the Public Security Intelligence Agency’s Investigation Department No. 2, said, “What the girls were working on was the Middle East.

Mitsuhiro Suganuma, former director of the Public Security Intelligence Agency’s Investigation Department II, said, “The girls worked on the Palestinian issue, which is the biggest challenge in the Middle East. I wonder if there are any young people in Japan today who are willing to fight for Palestine. I think it is safe to assume that they have no influence.”

Half a century has passed since the political season, and both she and Japan have changed a lot.

From the June 17, 2022 issue of FRIDAY