Japan
2026
- GOVERNMENT
- constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary government
- CONSTITUTION
- May 3, 1947
- LEGAL SYSTEM
- based on the German model with Anglo-American influences; review of legislative acts by the Supreme Court
- LEGISLATIVE SYSTEM
- bicameral, House of Councillors (Sangi-in) and House of Representatives (Shugi-in)
- JUDICIAL SYSTEM
- Supreme Court (president appointed by the King on the recommendation of the Government, others appointed by the Government)
RELIGIONS
majority of Buddhists and Shintoists; minorities of Catholics, Protestants, and Orthodox
From the country
- APRIL 11, 2012JapanDEATH PENALTY
the Fukuoka High Court, in Japan...
the Fukuoka High Court, in Japan...
MARCH 30, 2012JapanDEATH PENALTYJAPAN: PRIME MINISTER YOSHIHIKO NODA STANDS BY USE OF DEATH PENALTY
Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda defended the use of the death penalty, a day after
- MARCH 29, 2012JapanDEATH PENALTY
EU 'REGRETS' JAPAN EXECUTIONS, URGES MORATORIUM
The European Union voiced "regret" at Japan's resumption of capital punishment after a 20-month
MARCH 29, 2012JapanDEATH PENALTYJAPAN: 3 INMATES HANGED; 1ST EXECUTIONS SINCE JULY 2010
Japan hanged three death-row inmates in its first executions since 2010, reigniting the debate over capital punishment in one of the world’s richest countries.
- MARCH 15, 2012JapanDEATH PENALTY
the Osaka District Court, in Japan, acquitted a 54-year-old...
the Osaka District Court, in Japan, acquitted a 54-year-old...
MARCH 2, 2012JapanDEATH PENALTYJAPAN: TOP COURT REJECTS APPEAL, FINALIZING DEATH PENALTY FOR MURDER-ROBBERY
In Japan, the Supreme Court rejected an appeal by a 66-year-old man sentenced to death for robbing and murdering a couple in Saitama Prefecture in February 2007
- FEBRUARY 20, 2012JapanDEATH PENALTY
JAPAN: SUPREME COURT UPHOLDS DEATH PENALTY AFTER CAMPAIGN
Japan's Supreme Court upheld the death sentence for a man who killed
FEBRUARY 1, 2012JapanDEATH PENALTYJAPAN: JUSTICE MINISTER FEELS SIGNING OFF ON HANGINGS JUST PART OF JOB DESCRIPTION
Toshio Ogawa is the first justice minister to tacitly support capital punishment since the Democratic
- JANUARY 16, 2012JapanDEATH PENALTY
JAPAN: GROUP ASKS NEW JUSTICE MINISTER NOT TO ISSUE EXECUTION ORDERS
a Tokyo-based human rights group asked new Justice Minister Toshio Ogawa to continue
- JANUARY 13, 2012JapanDEATH PENALTY
JAPAN: NEW JUSTICE MINISTER HINTS AT RESUMPTION OF EXECUTIONS
Japan's new Justice Minister Toshio Ogawa indicated he could resume issuing orders for executions
- JANUARY 1, 2012JapanDEATH PENALTY
Japanese criminal law envisages the death penalty for 13 different...
Japanese criminal law envisages the death penalty for 13 different crimes but in practice death sentences are only handed down for murder.
DECEMBER 30, 2011JapanDEATH PENALTYJAPAN: MANY DEATH ROW INMATES ON MEDS
Nearly half of death row inmates in Japan are on full-time medication for mental