OSAKA -- An imprisoned motorcycle gang leader filed a 23 million yen damages suit against an Osaka TV station Monday, claiming he was sent to prison for a reckless driving incident that was staged for a program by the broadcaster.
The 22-year-old man filed the suit with the Osaka District Court against TV Osaka Co., the program's director and others, claiming he was convicted of violating the Road Traffic Law because he organized and took part in the nighttime biker rampage in summer 1999 at the request of the director.
Lawyers representing the plaintiff claimed he is serving a prison term because he had found the request very difficult to refuse.