Today, Monday, at 1:30 Tokyo time, final closing arguments took place in the appeals case of Yaakov Yosef ben Raizel. In attendance were Yaakov Yosef’s father, Rabbi Edery, Chabad Shaliach to Tokyo, and askanim R. Aron Nezri and R. Meilech Bindinger. Yaakov Yosef himself was also present, with an interpreter giving him brief explanations of the proceedings on the presiding judge’s direction.

After a behind closed doors session between the defense team and the judges, proceeding opened with defense lawyer Goto presenting the court with evidence which cast aspersions on the documents submitted by Ms. Suzuki last week. Defense lawyers Honda and Ozawa then summarized the defense arguments, following by Mr. Takano who condemned Ms. Suzuki’s underhanded manner in trying to downplay the relevance of the valid polygraph tests.

The verdict date has been set for May 16th at 2:30 PM Tokyo time.

Askanim visited with Yaakov Yosef after the conclusion of the hearing. Yaakov Yosef was in good spirits, and described how the detention center shook like a boat during the March 11th earthquake. Askanim also visited with Yoel Zev ben Mirel Risa Chava before the hearing in the detention center, and he also described his fear of the earthquake. Both boys displayed tremendous emuna and bitachon. Closing arguments for Yoel Zev ben Mirel Risa Chava have been schedule for May 9th.

On Motzei Taanis Esther, over 1,000 attended a gathering in Bais Faiga on behalf of the boys.

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