The Supreme Court on Monday dismissed an appeal by a Buddhist monk found guilty by the Tokyo High Court of trespassing at a Tokyo condominium complex to distribute Japanese Communist Party leaflets.
The top court's decision will stir controversy because it could be seen as conflicting with the constitutionally guaranteed freedom to express political beliefs.
Yosei Arakawa, 62, was accused of entering the condo complex Dec. 23, 2004, and distributing JCP leaflets containing reports from local assembly members of the party the despite the presence of a notice banning the delivery of leaflets and fliers.