Japanese pharma firm denounces “defamatory” vaxx claims; Launches Taiwan subsidiary
Tokyo-headquartered pharmaceutical company, Meiji Seika Pharma has filed a lawsuit against Kazuhiro Haraguchi, a Lower House member of Japan’s Constitutional Democratic Party, for reportedly spreading unsubstantiated claims about its mRNA-based Covid-19 replicon vaccine. The company is seeking 10 million yen (about US$63,500) in damages for reputational and financial harm caused by Haraguchi’s remarks.
According to the Tokyo District Court filing, Haraguchi repeatedly referred to the replicon vaccine as a “bioweapon” on social media and likened Meiji Seika Pharma to Unit 731, a World War II group notorious for human experimentation.
According to an information published in Lancet Japan recently administered the world’s first self-amplifying mRNA vaccine, known as the replicon vaccine, to combat SARS-CoV-2. However, misinformation about the vaccine has spread, including false claims that its components multiply indefinitely in the body or can be transmitted to others. This has led to some businesses, such as beauty salons, gyms, and restaurants, refusing entry to vaccinated individuals, and even medical clinics barring them from access. The Japanese Ministry of Health has refuted these claims, stating the vaccine’s safety. Experts warn that such actions, based on misinformation, are ethically unacceptable and could lead to vaccine hesitancy, undermining public health efforts.
The pharmaceutical firm reported spending 1.2 million yen addressing public backlash and estimated a loss of over 5.5 billion yen in potential vaccine sales. Despite issuing a warning letter in October, the company said Haraguchi continued to make defamatory statements, prompting legal action.
Meiji Seika Pharma stressed the importance of combating misinformation, noting that Haraguchi’s statements as a lawmaker exceed acceptable bounds of opinion or commentary.
Category: Pharmaceuticals
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