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
MARCH 30, 2011JapanDEATH PENALTYJAPAN: DEATH SENTENCES FINALISED FOR 3 MEN
the death sentences for Masato Kobayashi, 36, Atsushi Okura, 35, and Masayoshi
- MARCH 24, 2011JapanDEATH PENALTY
JAPANESE MAN SENTENCED TO DEATH FOR STABBING 7
Tomohiro Kato, 28, a former temporary auto plant worker, was sentenced to death in Japan by presiding judge Hiroaki Murayama of the Tokyo District Court.
- MARCH 15, 2011JapanDEATH PENALTY
JAPAN: MAN GIVEN DEATH SENTENCE
the Tokyo District Court handed down the death sentence to Kazuo Ino, 60, to death for stabbing a 74-year-old man to death when committing a robbery in Tokyo in November 2009.
- MARCH 10, 2011JapanDEATH PENALTY
JAPAN: DEATH SENTENCES TO STAND FOR 3 MEN OVER 1994 MURDERS
Justice Ryuko Sakurai of the Japanese Supreme Court upheld the 2001 Nagoya District Court and the October 2005 Nagoya High Court death sentences handed to Masato Kobayashi, Atsushi Komori and Masayoshi Haga, all 35.
MARCH 10, 2011JapanDEATH PENALTYJAPAN: DEATH ROW INMATE, 75 TODAY, SHOULD BE GRANTED A STAY OF EXECUTION
a man in Japan who has spent 43 years on death row and is 75 today, should be granted
- MARCH 8, 2011JapanDEATH PENALTY
JAPAN FORMALISES DEATH SENTENCE FOR SARIN ATTACK CONSPIRATOR
Japan's Supreme Court on completed legal preparations for the execution of the Aum Shinrikyo chemist Masami Tsuchiya, 46, who helped the Japanese cult develop the sarin nerve agent it used to kill nearly 20 people in the 1994 and 1995 subway attacks.
MARCH 8, 2011JapanDEATH PENALTYJAPAN: TOP COURT UPHOLDS DEATH PENALTY FOR SERIAL KILLINGS
Presiding Justice Kiyoko Okabe of the Japanese Supreme Court upheld the death penalty
- FEBRUARY 15, 2011JapanDEATH PENALTY
JAPAN: DEATH SENTENCE FOR AUM'S TSUCHIYA TO BE FINALISED
Presiding Justice Kohei Nasu of the Japanese Supreme Court turned down an appeal from Masami Tsuchiya...
JANUARY 21, 2011JapanDEATH PENALTYJAPAN: JUSTICE MINISTER TO CONSIDER ABOLISHING DEATH PENALTY
Justice Minister Satsuki Eda said a study group set up by the justice ministry would
- JANUARY 14, 2011JapanDEATH PENALTY
JAPAN: NEW MINISTER OPPOSES DEATH PENALTY
Japan has appointed a new justice minister who opposes the death penalty, raising hopes
- JANUARY 1, 2011JapanDEATH 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 29, 2010JapanDEATH PENALTY
Japan: 14 sentenced to gallows in 2010
Courts sentenced 14 people to hang in 2010, down 20 from the previous year, reflecting a decrease in heinous crimes, particularly murder, a Kyodo News poll showed.