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
- DECEMBER 19, 2017JapanDEATH PENALTY
JAPAN HANGS 2 INMATES; FIRST EXECUTIONS SINCE JULY
Japan hanged two death-row inmates in the morning, including a 44-year-old man who killed four people when he was a minor, the Justice Ministry said.
NOVEMBER 7, 2017JapanDEATH PENALTYJAPAN: ‘BLACK WIDOW’ SERIAL KILLER SENTENCED TO DEATH FOR MURDERING THREE PARTNERS WITH CYANIDE COCKTAILS
A serial killer dubbed Japan’s “black widow” received a death sentence for the murders of her husband and two common-law partners, as well as the attempted murder of an acquaintance, between 2007 and 2013.
- JULY 13, 2017JapanDEATH PENALTY
JAPAN EXECUTES PAIR ON DEATH ROW
Japan’s Ministry of Justice announced the execution of two male convicts on death row, reports the Sankei Shimbun.
APRIL 14, 2017JapanDEATH PENALTYJAPAN: TOP COURT UPHOLDS DEATH PENALTY FOR ‘BLACK WIDOW’ WHO MURDERED THREE MEN SHE MET ONLINE
Japan’s top court upheld the death sentence given to a 42-year-old woman for killing three men she met through an online dating service in the Tokyo area in 2009.
MARCH 22, 2017JapanDEATH PENALTYJAPAN: MAN SENTENCED TO DEATH FOR KILLING 5 PEOPLE IN HYOGO PREFECTURE
The Kobe District Court sentenced a 42-year-old man to death over the killing of five people in Hyogo Prefecture in 2015, dismissing lawyers' arguments that he was mentally ill.
- JANUARY 1, 2017JapanDEATH PENALTY
The death penalty in Japan is provided for 13 crimes
The death penalty in Japan is provided for 13 crimes
NOVEMBER 11, 2016JapanDEATH PENALTYJAPAN: DOUBLE MURDERER EXECUTED; 2ND UNDER CITIZEN JUDGE SYSTEM
A man convicted of two murders was hanged at the Fukuoka Detention House in Kyushu, the Justice Ministry announced.
SEPTEMBER 21, 2016JapanDEATH PENALTYJAPAN: BAR FEDERATION TARGETS ABOLISHING DEATH PENALTY FOR 1ST TIME
The Japan Federation of Bar Associations will propose for the first time to its members next month that they work for the abolition of capital punishment so that even the worst offenders can be rehabilitated.
SEPTEMBER 13, 2016JapanDEATH PENALTYJAPAN: DEATH SENTENCE UPHELD FOR KILLER OF FIVE
The Hiroshima High Court upheld the death penalty for a 66-year-old man convicted of killing five neighbors and setting fire to two of their homes in a remote community in Yamaguchi Prefecture in 2013.
JULY 21, 2016JapanDEATH PENALTYJAPAN: TOP COURT UPHOLDS DEATH PENALTY FOR KILLER TSUTSUI
The Supreme court rejected an appeal against a lower court decision to give the death sentence to 31-year-
- JUNE 8, 2016JapanDEATH PENALTY
The Supreme Court rejected an appeal from the defense team of Yutaro Chiba, 24, for murders he committed when he was a minor (he was 18 years and 7 months old). The decision was supported by all five justices.
The Supreme Court rejected an appeal from the defense team of Yutaro Chiba, 24, for murders he committed when he was a minor (he was 18 years and 7 months old). The decision was supported by all five justices.
- MARCH 25, 2016JapanDEATH PENALTY
JAPAN EXECUTES TWO MURDERERS RESPONSIBLE FOR SEVEN DEATHS
A convicted serial killer and the mastermind of a murder-for-insurance scheme were executed on March 25, bringing to four the number of inmates hanged since Justice Minister Mitsuhide Iwaki took office in October.