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 3, 2014JapanDEATH PENALTYJAPAN: COURT FINALIZES DEATH SENTENCE FOR MAN OVER 3 MURDERS IN TOKYO, YAMAGATA
The Tokyo High Court turned down an appeal against a death sentence by a man convicted of three
- SEPTEMBER 19, 2014JapanDEATH PENALTY
the Tokyo District Court sentenced to death Tsuyoshi Watanabe, 44, who had pleaded not guilty in the trial,
the Tokyo District Court sentenced to death Tsuyoshi Watanabe, 44, who had pleaded not guilty in the trial,
SEPTEMBER 11, 2014JapanDEATH PENALTYJAPAN: MATSUSHIMA STAYS COURSE ON DEATH PENALTY
Newly appointed Justice Minister Midori Matsushima backed the death penalty as a deterrent against crime
SEPTEMBER 2, 2014JapanDEATH PENALTYJAPAN: SUPREME COURT UPHOLDS DEATH PENALTY HANDED DOWN BY LAY JUDGES FOR FIRST TIME
The Supreme Court of Japan upheld the death sentence handed down by lay judges for the first time since
AUGUST 29, 2014JapanDEATH PENALTYJAPAN: TWO DEATH-ROW INMATES EXECUTED IN SENDAI AND TOKYO
Japan executed two multiple killers, bringing to 11 the total number of death sentences carried out since Prime Minister Shinzo Abe took power in 2012.
- AUGUST 11, 2014JapanDEATH PENALTY
JAPAN: LAWMAKER GROUP SEEKING END TO DEATH PENALTY TO RESUME ACTIVITIES
JULY 25, 2014ChinaDEATH PENALTYCHINA: JAPANESE MAN EXECUTED OVER STIMULANT DRUG SMUGGLING
Chinese authorities executed a Japanese man in his 50s who had been sentenced to death in connection with
JUNE 26, 2014JapanDEATH PENALTYJAPAN: KILLER HANGED IN FIRST EXECUTION THIS YEAR
Japan hanged a man, in the nation's first execution in 2014, and the ninth since the conservative government of Shinzo Abe came to power in December 2012.
MARCH 27, 2014JapanDEATH PENALTYJAPAN: WORLD'S 'LONGEST-SERVING' DEATH ROW INMATE GRANTED RETRIAL
A man believed to be the world's longest-serving death row inmate was granted a retrial in Japan over multiple murders in 1966, decades after doubts emerged about his guilt.
MARCH 20, 2014JapanDEATH PENALTYJAPAN: DEATH PENALTY UPHELD FOR WOMAN
The Matsue branch of the Hiroshima High Court upheld capital punishment for a woman convicted of killing
- MARCH 10, 2014JapanDEATH PENALTY
JAPAN: MAN GETS DEATH FOR 2011 ROBBERY-MURDERS IN OSAKA
The Osaka District Court sentenced a 52-year-old man to death for killing two people in two separate
- JANUARY 1, 2014JapanDEATH PENALTY
The death penalty in Japan is provided for 13 crimes
The death penalty in Japan is provided for 13 crimes