Opinion ID: 721069
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Other practical problems of prosecution.

Text: 34 Tennecal argues that discovery will be inadequate in Japan and will entail higher costs because it will have to hire Japanese counsel and provide for translations. Although these are relevant factors to consider, the district court's balancing of them was not unreasonable. Under the district court's conception of the case, to litigate this matter in the United States would include high costs of transporting witnesses and documents from Japan, as well as translation costs. 35 One issue relevant to the private interest factors which the district court did not mention is Mr. Geiger's (Tennecal's CEO) fear of personal safety if he were to go to Japan. The evidence to substantiate this fear appears in the verified complaint and three affidavits. It is asserted that when Tennecal attempted to collect on one of the notes in London, Sakura Bank claimed the notes were fraudulent. As a result, Mr. Geiger, his secretary, and English counsel were arrested. They were detained for 13 hours, and the notes were detained for 72 hours. When Mr. Geiger was released, he states he personally received information of threats to his life and that of his family by the Yukuza, the Japanese Mafia. 36 A significant threat to one's personal safety is a proper consideration when assessing the private interest factor of a plaintiff's practical problems of bringing suit in a particular forum. In the present case, however, the evidence offered to support the asserted threat to Mr. Geiger's person was inconclusive. The failure to accord substantial weight to Mr. Geiger's fear does not render the district court's balancing of the relevant factors an abuse of discretion. 37 The district court's dismissal on the basis of forum non conveniens is AFFIRMED.