Contrary to widespread expectations, the Tokyo District Court on Wednesday acquitted Takeshi Abe, former vice president of Teikyo University in Tokyo, of professional negligence resulting in the death of one of his patients.
It is believed the court strictly abided by the rules of the criminal justice system -- if there is even a slight doubt about guilt, the accused should not be convicted.
However, some medical experts voiced concerns that the ruling will work against efforts to change a long practice in this country of not holding individual professionals accountable.