Law and Institutions in Japan: Current Issues in a Historical Context

In May 2009, the people's jury was introduced in Japan to restore confidence in the judiciary and to realize the rule of law. The introduction of the people's jury is an important step in a fundamental reform of the judiciary that should help Japan out of a deep socio-economic crisis. Traditional Japan with a paternalistic state and the group at the center no longer meets the economic needs of the second largest economy in the world. Privatization, deregulation and individualization became the central slogans for the reform of political and legal institutions that started in the 1990s. The country must, as it were, reinvent itself in order to maintain its prominent place in the world.

This book deals with the impact of recent legal reforms on a broad spectrum of themes, such as the recently introduced people's jury, the death penalty, (in)dependent judges, the environment, the relationship between political leaders and the people, human rights and prosecution. In addition to a socio-legal and political analysis, the historical context of the current debate is also discussed. The central question in this book is how and why the political administration in Japan can implement fundamental reforms today and what this means for the future of this economic superpower.

This book aims to provide a broad audience with insight into the political dynamics and functioning of justice in Japan.