Italian group criticizes Japanese justice minister over death penalty

Friday 25th July, 06:20 AM JST

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9 Comments

OssanULTRA at 08:13 AM JST - 25th July

Whe you want to fix something you start with the biggest problems first.

"In all, the number of executions increased last year to at least 5,851, compared with 5,635 in 2006 and 5,494 in 2005, the group said in its annual report. China alone accounted for at least 5,000 executions, the rights group estimated, based on reports by the media and other human rights groups. The exact number of executions in China remains a state secret. This was the same estimate the group gave for China last year."

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,390063,00.html
hermitage at 08:22 AM JST - 25th July

Hatoyama's position seems to be supported by many Japanese, as major crime is on the increase, in these years. On the other hand, it should be reported that some Diet members are discussing the possibility of introducing the new penalty level of "life imprisonment" that has not existed in Japanese law. It is thought this will reduce the number of instances with pronouncement of death penalty.
Betting at 09:05 AM JST - 25th July

Whe you want to fix something you start with the biggest problems first.

"In all, the number of executions increased last year to at least 5,851, compared with 5,635 in 2006 and 5,494 in 2005, the group said in its annual report. China alone accounted for at least 5,000 executions, the rights group estimated, based on reports by the media and other human rights groups. The exact number of executions in China remains a state secret. This was the same estimate the group gave for China last year."

OssanULTRA, we're talking about Japan here, please stay on topic by not trying to deflect the question. The situation between Japan and China is completely different. And I feel quite safe in saying that if that Italian civic group is criticizing Japan for its death penalty policy, it is also criticizing China as well.
PrinceskaNo1 at 09:30 AM JST - 25th July

Let us not forget that Japan copied everything from China.
tkoind2 at 09:34 AM JST - 25th July

The death penalty is not, has not been and never will be a deterrent to crime. We've seen the facts again and again bear this out. It is a barbaric hold over in human culture based upon the concept of revenge. It does not serve society, it does not serve the victims or their families and it does not serve us morally.

All countries should abandon the death penalty in favor or more advanced and enlightened methods of addressing crime and punishment. As for prevention, well... Japan needs to wake up and face the very real mental health crisis that is behind a lot of this behavior.
some14some at 09:46 AM JST - 25th July

I find nothing wrong with Hatoyama who is God-fearing pigeon (hato) hearted person. He is doing his job faithfully according to the laws stipulated in J-constitution.
RepublicofTexas at 01:09 PM JST - 25th July

So long as the Japanese people and the Japanese constitution support the death penalty, I see nothing wrong. The Italians should mind their own business and deal with their own problems before criticizing others, such as the recent wave of xenophobia toward gypsies and Romanians.
Youdontknow at 01:14 PM JST - 25th July

some14some...that's just the point...he is NOT doing his job 'faithfully', he's sneaking behind closed doors and bending the rules to suit himself!! He is a known monster in his political circle and personally, I hope karma gets its own justice on this law-breaking lunatic!
hermitage at 09:59 PM JST - 25th July
Youdontknow, You really don't know the complexity of this issue. What Hatoyama is doing is 100% legal. Some ministers of Justice in the past have just been reluctant to sign an order to do execution. So, no one can say Hatoyama's conduct is ilegal.

If you are against death penalty, there are only two approaches to the Hatoyama issue, viz. that unlike ministers in the past, Hatoyama shortened the signing process and has signed many death-penalty orders recently:
1. Criticize his conducts, as ethically bad, even if it's legal.
2. Criticize the current penalty system of Japan law, which allows death penalty.
3. Propose something effective in reducing the number of people killed by death penalty: for example, add a new penalty such as the "life imprisonment" to the current system of law in Japan.
These are the most realistic approaches to the death penalty issue in Japan.

BTW, I am not against death penalty itself, though I believe there should be fewer executed criminals in future. I understand that penalty is not revenge, but there's no reason why death penalty is to be prohibited. It's possible for extremely major crimes, I believe.