JAPAN COURT DELIBERATES HANGING'S CONSTITUTIONALITY

in Japan, the Osaka District Court began two-day deliberations on the constitutionality of capital punishment as part of the murder trial of Sunao Takami, 43. The defense argued that execution by hanging is cruel and runs counter to the Constitution that forbids the infliction of torture by any public officer and cruel punishments. The prosecution said it does not plan to argue in court about the issue as Supreme Court rulings in the past have already made clear the constitutionality of capital punishment.