Japan Pharma To Sue Lawmaker Who Called New COVID Vaccine A "Biological Weapon"

A Japanese pharmaceutical firm is considering filing a lawsuit seeking damages from a lawmaker who criticized the company’s new coronavirus vaccine, describing it as “like a biological weapon” in a post on X (formerly Twitter), Yoshimi Nakamura reported for Mainichi Japan.

According to Meiji Seika Pharma and other sources, Haraguchi described the replicon vaccine, which is designed to replicate messenger RNA in cells, as “like a biological weapon” in a post on his X account. I Photo: Meiji Group

The replicon vaccine, sold by Meiji Seika Pharma Co. under the brand name “Kostaive,” has been included in routine COVID-19 inoculations this fall for the first time.

Meiji Seika Pharma is reportedly considering demanding compensation from Kazuhiro Haraguchi, a House of Representatives member from the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan (CDPJ), claiming that he has damaged the company’s reputation by repeatedly criticizing the vaccine without scientific evidence.

According to Meiji Seika Pharma and other sources, Haraguchi described the replicon vaccine, which is designed to replicate messenger RNA in cells, as “like a biological weapon” in a post on his X account.

The company sent him a written warning in early October. However, in his campaign bulletin for the Oct. 27 lower house election, Haraguchi wrote, “It is no exaggeration to say that we are being used as guinea pigs when an unknown vaccine is approved only for Japan.”