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
- OCTOBER 6, 2008JapanDEATH PENALTY
JAPAN. 42 DEATH-ROW INMATES ARE SEEKING RETRIALS
a survey by a Japanese citizens' group opposed to capital punishment found that at least 42 of some 100
- SEPTEMBER 16, 2008JapanDEATH PENALTY
JAPAN: SUPREME COURT UPHOLDS DEATH PENALTY FOR 'EXORCIST' OVER DEATHS OF 6
the Supreme Court in Tokyo, Japan, upheld rulings by lower courts that sentenced a self claimed exorcist to death for the deaths of six followers, tossing out her not-guilty appeal.
- SEPTEMBER 12, 2008JapanDEATH PENALTY
EU CONCERNED BY EXECUTIONS IN JAPAN
the European Union released a statement saying it was "deeply concerned at the Japanese authorities' announcement that three people under sentence of death – Mr Yoshiyuki Mantani, aged 68, Mr Mineteru Yamamoto, aged 68, Mr Isamu Hirano, aged 61 – were han
- SEPTEMBER 11, 2008JapanDEATH PENALTY
JAPAN EXECUTES THREE MEN FOR MURDERS
Japan hanged three death-row inmates, officials said, bringing the number of executions this year to 13
- AUGUST 1, 2008JapanDEATH PENALTY
in the reshuffled Japanese Government, Justice Minister Kunio Hatoyama...
in the reshuffled Japanese Government, Justice Minister Kunio Hatoyama...
- JULY 24, 2008JapanDEATH PENALTY
HANDS OFF CAIN CRITICISES JAPANESE JUSTICE MINISTER
Hands Off Cain criticised Japanese Justice Minister Kunio Hatoyama in its annual report, describing him as an ''outspoken supporter of the death penalty'' who broke taboos maintained in Japan over executions.
- JULY 7, 2008JapanDEATH PENALTY
Japan's justice minister, dubbed the "grim reaper" for ordering...
Japan's justice minister, dubbed the "grim reaper" for ordering...
- JUNE 17, 2008JapanDEATH PENALTY
JAPAN HANGS THREE MEN FOR MURDERS
Japan hanged three men convicted of murder, the Justice Ministry said in a statement.
- JUNE 12, 2008JapanDEATH PENALTY
Japan expressed readiness to maintain...
Japan expressed readiness to maintain...
- JUNE 5, 2008JapanDEATH PENALTY
JAPAN. TOP COURT UPHOLDS DEATH PENALTY FOR DOUBLE MURDER
the Japanese Supreme Court upheld a lower court decision that sentenced a 47 year
- MAY 28, 2008JapanDEATH PENALTY
AMNESTY SLAMS INCREASE IN JAPANESE HANGINGS
Amnesty International voiced "great concern" about a recent increase in the number of executions in Japan as well as the secretive nature of police investigations.
- MAY 27, 2008JapanDEATH PENALTY
JAPAN: VICIOUSNESS OF GANGS FACTOR IN DEATH SENTENCE
the ultimate penalty imposed by the Nagasaki District Court in Japan on the defendant in the murder of a mayor seemed to show that judges had no other choice, given the vicious nature of his crime and his unreasonable motive behind it.