It is estimated that there are about 50 death-row inmates...

It is estimated that there are about 50 death-row inmates in Japan. They include one who has been in detention for nearly 30 years since he was sentenced, and one who has been detained for eight years since he finalised his own death sentence by cancelling an appeal to the Supreme Court.The Criminal Procedure Law stipulates that the justice minister must sign an execution order within six months after the death sentence is passed by the court. If the death-row inmate appeals the sentence, applies for retrial or pardon, the six-month limit does not apply until the procedure is completed.However, legal experts have said that justice ministers generally try to avoid issuing execution orders until the last minute before the deadline, even if there is no application for appeal or pardon.For death-row inmates, the period just before the replacement of the justice minister is the most critical time as it is more likely that their execution orders could be issued.