Former Tokyo District Public Prosecutor Tatsuro Tatsumi has taken on the defense of Akio Kanai, a man with a prior criminal record, in a case involving alleged intrusion and assault. The assignment marks a return to criminal defense operate for Tatsumi, who left the prosecutor’s office after an incident involving the use of force during an interrogation.
Kanai is accused of entering a residential building and assaulting a female resident. The case has drawn attention due to Tatsumi’s past, as he was previously a superior to prosecutor Kitazawa, who is now handling the prosecution. According to sources, Tatsumi’s departure from the prosecutor’s office stemmed from striking a suspect during questioning.
Tatsumi operates his own law office, having established it 15 years and nine months ago, though his firm recently relocated after the demolition of its previous building. His practice has faced financial challenges, with reports of delayed rent and staff salaries. Sakashita Michiko serves as an assistant and office administrator at the firm.
The television drama series “Hamidashi Bengoshi Tatsuro Tatsumi” (roughly translated as “The Outspoken Lawyer Tatsuro Tatsumi”), which aired on the Television Asahi network’s “Saturday Wide Theater” from 1996 to 2012, featured Tatsumi as a central character. The series consisted of 12 episodes and was produced by ABC and Toho Planning. The show depicted Tatsumi as a “yameken bengoshi” – a former prosecutor turned lawyer.
Upcoming broadcasts of the series on the Tele-Asahi Channel include episodes airing on March 7th and March 21st, 2026. The March 21st schedule features episodes focusing on a murder case linked to escort services and a scandal involving a prominent political family.