JAPAN'S HOSTAGE JUSTICE SYSTEM

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Key Insights

The report investigates the systematic denial of due process in Japan's criminal justice system.
Suspects are often subjected to questioning without legal representation and face repeated detentions, which aim to obtain confessions.
Denial of bail and limited communication with the outside world are common practices.
These practices can lead to coerced confessions, wrongful convictions, and overall abuse within the system.
Human Rights Watch calls on the Japanese government to reform the system to ensure that due process and fair trial rights are respected.

Japan’s “Hostage Justice” System
Denial of Bail, Coerced Confessions, and Lack of Access to Lawye…

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Summary............................................................................................…

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III. Japanese Law and International Legal Standards ...............................................…

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(Japanese original)
Received on March 2, 2023
国際 NGO ヒューマン・ライツ・ウォッチ様
平素よりお世話になっております。
先般、御送付いただ…

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hrw.org
© 2023 Takeshi Miyatuka for Human Rights Watch
Japan’s criminal justice system systematic…

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JAPAN'S HOSTAGE JUSTICE SYSTEM

1. Japan’s “Hostage Justice” System Denial of Bail, Coerced Confessions, and Lack of Access to Lawyers H U M A N R I G H T S W A T C H

4. Summary...............................................................................................................................1 Key Recommendations....................................................................................................... 28 Methodology...................................................................................................................... 30 I. Japan’s Criminal Justice System .......................................................................................31 II. Violations of Due Process............................................................................................... 48

5. III. Japanese Law and International Legal Standards .......................................................... 87 IV. Recommendations ........................................................................................................ 95 Acknowledgments.............................................................................................................100 Annex 1 .............................................................................................................................102 Annex 2............................................................................................................................. 105

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110. (Japanese original) Received on March 2, 2023 国際 NGO ヒューマン・ライツ・ウォッチ様平素よりお世話になっております。先般、御送付いただいた調査結果に関する報告書につきましては、参考として拝受いたしました。もっとも、御依頼いただいた件につきましては、法務省において貴団体の調査に携わっておらず、大変申し訳ございませんが、事実関係を含め、調査結果に関する見解を責任をもって回答することは困難であり、対応いたしかねます。御理解いただけますよう、よろしくお願いいたします。法務省刑事局広報担当 (English translation) "We have received your report on the results of your research for our information. Regarding your request however, the Ministry of Justice is not involved in your organization's research, and we are very sorry that we cannot respond to it as it is difficult to responsibly provide our opinions on your research results, including the facts. We appreciate your understanding. Public Relations, Criminal Affairs Bureau, Ministry of Justice"

111. hrw.org © 2023 Takeshi Miyatuka for Human Rights Watch Japan’s criminal justice system systematically denies due process to thousands of people by subjecting suspects to questioning without a lawyer, repeated detentions to obtain confessions, and denial of bail. These practices—often called “hostage justice” — lead to widespread abuse, coerced confessions, and wrongful convictions. Japan’s “Hostage Justice” System documents the abusive treatment of criminal detainees, including stripping them of their right to remain silent, and coercing them to confess through repeated arrests to prolong pre-indictment detention. This mistreatment is facilitated by the detention of most suspects in cells inside police stations, where there is almost constant surveillance, including during mealtimes and at the toilet, instead of holding them in specialized detention facilities. The report documents how Japanese courts routinely issue “prohibition of communication” orders, under which detainees can meet and communicate only with their lawyers and are not allowed to meet with anyone else, including their family members. Human Rights Watch research found that judges routinely allow investigators’ requests for arrest and prolonged detention. Investigators often use detention for separate, minor crimes, or splitting up charges based on the same set of facts, as an excuse to rearrest and detain suspects repeatedly for extended periods. Detainees are not allowed to request bail while in pre-indictment detention. Even when the detainee is indicted, those who have not confessed or who have remained silent have a harder time getting bail, resulting in even longer detention. Human Rights Watch calls on the Japanese government to urgently reform its criminal justice system to ensure that the rights of all persons to due process of law and to a fair trial, including access to counsel and bail, are fully respected in line with international standards. Japan’s “Hostage Justice” System Denial of Bail, Coerced Confessions, and Lack of Access to Lawyers