In this case, the Tokyo High Court ruled whether or not the fact that inmates are not allowed to vote in national elections violates the Constitution, which guarantees the right to vote. handed down a judgment.
Inmates serving time at Nagano Prison were sentenced to seven years in prison for fraud in 2019, so their right to vote was suspended based on the provisions of the Public Offices Election Act, and they were unable to vote in the House of Representatives elections.
The inmates had requested that they vote in the next national election, arguing that the provisions of the Public Offices Election Law violate the Constitution, which guarantees the right to vote, but the Tokyo District Court, which held the first trial, said, ``The provisions of the Public Offices Election Act violate the Constitution, which guarantees the right to vote.'' '' and the inmate filed an appeal.
In the second instance ruling on the 13th, Tokyo High Court Chief Judge Toshikazu Kino said, ``The inmates violated the minimum laws and regulations that should be observed, and it can be said that they lack a sense of norms, so even if their right to vote is restricted, "It is unavoidable. It cannot be said that the provision violates the Constitution," the court dismissed the lawsuit following the first instance.
Opinions are divided regarding prisoners' right to vote, with the Osaka High Court ruling in 2013 that it was ``unconstitutional,'' and the Hiroshima High Court ruling ``constitutional'' in 2017.