Japan halts book with police terror data

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TOKYO, Dec. 1 (UPI) -- A Tokyo court is blocking publication of a book that gives details of terrorism investigations.

The provisional injunction against publisher Dai-San Shokan was issued Monday, the Yomiuri Shimbun newspaper reported.

The book reveals personal details -- including names, photos and family data -- about people under investigation that are believed to have been leaked online from the Metropolitan Police Department. The book also has personal information about police investigators and informants.

The book, "Leaked Police Terrorism Info: All Data," was released last week and has been sold in Tokyo bookstores.

Dai-San Shokan boss Akira Kitagawa said, "I'll consider what we should do from now on."

A lawyer for the petitioners read their statement: "Freedom of expression should not be exercised unconditionally nor in an irresponsible manner. Isn't freedom without responsibility a kind of violence?"

It is rare for Japanese courts to ban books since the constitution guarantees freedom of speech.