“Lawyer will attend interrogation” Japan Federation of Bar Associations will start support system from April. If a lawyer such as a public defender attends an interrogation during detention or after release, the fee will be 20,000 yen.
Private investigations and voluntary investigations that do not involve arrests are not covered. The Criminal Procedure Code does not specify whether a lawyer can be present during an interrogation, and currently it is left to the discretion of the investigating agency. Investigative agencies have voiced that sufficient statements from suspects will no longer be obtained, which will impede uncovering the truth.