The Supreme Court has rejected an appeal lodged by a psychiatrist over his conviction for leaking investigation records to a journalist in connection with a murder and arson case involving a minor in Nara Prefecture.
The decision, dated Monday, means the four-month prison term, suspended for three years, handed to Morimitsu Sakihama, 54, is set to be finalized.
Sakihama's case stirred controversy over the issue of press freedom after the journalist, Atsuko Kusanagi, published a book quoting statements by the 19-year-old defendant obtained from the psychiatrist.