Amnesty International highlighted reports of torture...

Amnesty International highlighted reports of torture and ill treatment of people while in custody in Japan. In its annual report, the human rights group noted a recent report of the Japan Federation of Bar Associations which reported over half of 91 complaints regarding prisons related to violence and cruelty by warders. Amnesty also voiced concern about the treatment of suspects in pre-trial detentions and inadequate interpretation facilities for non-Japanese speaking detainees. The report once again highlighted Japan's use of the death penalty and claimed that one prisoner, who was reportedly suffering from mental health problems, was executed in September. Amnesty also raises concern about prisoners who were on death row for long periods. It highlighted the case of 86-year-old Tsuneki Tomiyama who died of kidney failure after spending 36 years on death row.