In order to discuss the future of the death penalty system, a private study group was established with the participation of lawyers, former prosecutors general, families of crime victims, and others.
They plan to compile their recommendations and submit them to the government by autumn.
The study group was established at the request of the Japan Federation of Bar Associations, which calls for the abolition of the death penalty, and held its first meeting in Tokyo on the 29th.
The committee consists of 16 members, and participants come from a wide range of fields, including lawyers, former attorneys general, and other members of the judiciary, as well as families of crime victims, the business community, and members of the Diet.
From now on, we will hold interviews once a month with experts, crime victims, and other people with a wide variety of ideas, and discuss how countries around the world think about the death penalty and whether it deters crime. about it.
The government plans to compile recommendations on the future of the death penalty system and submit them to the government by autumn.
Regarding the death penalty system, in a public opinion poll conducted by the Cabinet Office in 2019, when asked whether the system should continue,
80.8% of people answered that
the death penalty is unavoidable. 9% of people said yes.
Furthermore, when asked whether the number of violent crimes would increase if the death penalty were abolished,
58.3% answered ``increase''
and 13.7% answered ``no increase.''
Professor Ryo Ida of Chuo University, who chairs the study group, said, ``I recognize that the death penalty system is the biggest legal and human rights issue in Japan, but I don't think there has been a deep discussion until now. "I would like to bring together people with a variety of ideas, including those who have not yet decided their positions, and to have deep discussions based on the current situation."