Shueisha Shinsho's 'An Introduction to Public Interest Litigation: Our Tool to Move Society' to be Released on Friday, May 15. Our Voices Through Public Litigation Will Change This Society and Create the Future!
When we feel something is 'wrong' in society, what can we do? 'Public interest litigation' is a way to question and reform society through the courts on issues like discrimination, labor, and the environment. This introductory book uses real cases to explain its history and role, showing the process and potential for individual voices to change society.
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When we feel that something is "wrong" in society, or when we hit an absurd wall, what can we do? For various issues such as discrimination, labor, environmental problems, gender, and social security, "public interest litigation" is the act of questioning the state of society and advocating for change through the method of trials.
This book explains its history and role, using actual cases and stories of the parties involved as clues. How has public interest litigation changed society through strategy and solidarity? It is an introductory book that treats trials as a "tool to move society" and shows the process and potential for individual voices to change institutions and society.
[Endorsements]
To everyone who doesn't want to give up on a better society.
Here is the circuit that connects me and the public.
──Philosopher 朱喜哲 (Shu Kitesu)
The pain of the few is easily dismissed as "not a big deal."
A desire for "how things should be" is glanced at as a matter of emotion.
Public interest litigation is the hope that pries open the door of such a society.
──Momoko Nojo, Founder of NO YOUTH NO JAPAN
Isn't it the best that we can make society better and better with our own hands?
──Novelist Mariko Yamauchi
Table of Contents
Introduction
Chapter 1: People Raising Their Voices, Their Stories──Knowing Public Interest Litigation
Chapter 2: How Public Interest Litigation Changes Society
Chapter 3: The Birth and History of Public Interest Litigation
Chapter 4: Public Interest Litigation in Data
Chapter 5: Why Are They Few and Hard to Win?──The Hurdles of Public Interest Litigation
Chapter 6: New Movements Create New Solidarity
Chapter 7: The Future of Public Interest Litigation
Conclusion
Author Biographies
Daisuke Igeta
Lawyer. Secretary-General of LEDGE. Focuses on public interest litigation. Co-author of "Snowden: A Warning to Japan" (Shueisha Shinsho).
Michiko Kameishi
Lawyer. Representative of LEDGE. Has won acquittals in many famous trials. Co-author of "The Criminal Defense Lawyer" (Kodansha Gendai Shinsho).
Motoki Taniguchi
Lawyer. Co-representative of CALL4. Director at LEDGE. Improving access to justice is his life's work.
Orie Maruyama
Co-representative director of CALL4. Serves as creative director at CALL4 and LEDGE.
[Book Information]
Title: An Introduction to Public Interest Litigation: Our Tool to Move Society
Authors: Daisuke Igeta, Michiko Kameishi, Motoki Taniguchi, Orie Maruyama
Release Date: May 15, 2026 (Friday)
Price: 1,012 yen (10% tax included)
Pages: 224
Format: Shinsho (paperback)
ISBN: 978-4-08-721410-9
Shueisha Shinsho
Details here
*E-book version also released simultaneously
(c)Shueisha
[About Shueisha Shinsho]
A label launched in December 1999 with the catchphrase "A guide to the waters of knowledge." Its concept is to be a "truly practical book" that provides "wisdom backed by knowledge" for navigating the sea of information that flows in abundance. While delving into旬 (shun, timely) figures and topics, it also challenges projects that connect Shueisha's unique entertainment quality with "knowledge," aiming to be a new book format that is accessible to a wide range of generations.
This book explains its history and role, using actual cases and stories of the parties involved as clues. How has public interest litigation changed society through strategy and solidarity? It is an introductory book that treats trials as a "tool to move society" and shows the process and potential for individual voices to change institutions and society.
[Endorsements]
To everyone who doesn't want to give up on a better society.
Here is the circuit that connects me and the public.
──Philosopher 朱喜哲 (Shu Kitesu)
The pain of the few is easily dismissed as "not a big deal."
A desire for "how things should be" is glanced at as a matter of emotion.
Public interest litigation is the hope that pries open the door of such a society.
──Momoko Nojo, Founder of NO YOUTH NO JAPAN
Isn't it the best that we can make society better and better with our own hands?
──Novelist Mariko Yamauchi
Table of Contents
Introduction
Chapter 1: People Raising Their Voices, Their Stories──Knowing Public Interest Litigation
Chapter 2: How Public Interest Litigation Changes Society
Chapter 3: The Birth and History of Public Interest Litigation
Chapter 4: Public Interest Litigation in Data
Chapter 5: Why Are They Few and Hard to Win?──The Hurdles of Public Interest Litigation
Chapter 6: New Movements Create New Solidarity
Chapter 7: The Future of Public Interest Litigation
Conclusion
Author Biographies
Daisuke Igeta
Lawyer. Secretary-General of LEDGE. Focuses on public interest litigation. Co-author of "Snowden: A Warning to Japan" (Shueisha Shinsho).
Michiko Kameishi
Lawyer. Representative of LEDGE. Has won acquittals in many famous trials. Co-author of "The Criminal Defense Lawyer" (Kodansha Gendai Shinsho).
Motoki Taniguchi
Lawyer. Co-representative of CALL4. Director at LEDGE. Improving access to justice is his life's work.
Orie Maruyama
Co-representative director of CALL4. Serves as creative director at CALL4 and LEDGE.
[Book Information]
Title: An Introduction to Public Interest Litigation: Our Tool to Move Society
Authors: Daisuke Igeta, Michiko Kameishi, Motoki Taniguchi, Orie Maruyama
Release Date: May 15, 2026 (Friday)
Price: 1,012 yen (10% tax included)
Pages: 224
Format: Shinsho (paperback)
ISBN: 978-4-08-721410-9
Shueisha Shinsho
Details here
*E-book version also released simultaneously
(c)Shueisha
[About Shueisha Shinsho]
A label launched in December 1999 with the catchphrase "A guide to the waters of knowledge." Its concept is to be a "truly practical book" that provides "wisdom backed by knowledge" for navigating the sea of information that flows in abundance. While delving into旬 (shun, timely) figures and topics, it also challenges projects that connect Shueisha's unique entertainment quality with "knowledge," aiming to be a new book format that is accessible to a wide range of generations.