The future of criminal justice in Japan: facing challenges, finding opportunities

The Europe-Japan Research Centre is proud to present a special public symposium on the future of criminal justice in Japan. Japan has long been held up as an example of effective criminal justice, with unique innovations like community police boxes and the volunteer probation officer system, Japan has achieved one of the lowest crime rates in the world and its prison population has been declining steadily for many years. But Japan’s criminal justice system is not without its challenges. The recent exoneration of the world’s longest serving death-row prisoner, Iwao Hakamata, has brought new scrutiny on Japan’s death penalty laws. Organised crime syndicates known as the yakuza still operate despite steady decline since the turn of the 21st century, opening questions about who or what will take their place. There are also opportunities: this year, Japan’s prisons will introduce new rehabilitative services, opening the door to new arts therapy programs. How can art made by incarcerated people not only prevent crime, but also raise public awareness towards destigmatizing justice-impacted people? These questions signal a possible turning point not only for Japan’s criminal justice future, but for Japanese law, politics, and society as a whole.
All are welcome to join us for this group of fascinating talks.

Guest speaker symposium (CLC 1.02, 15:30-16:30);

21st Century yakuza – the demise of Japanese organised crime
Dr Martina Baradel (Marie-Skłodowska-Curie Fellow, University of Oxford)

How can a 'prison art exhibition' open paths to social dialogue?
Yusuke Kazama (Nara Prefectural University, Prison Arts Connections Japan)

Keynote session (CLC 1.12, 17:15-18:30)
The death penalty after 2024.9.26 in Japan: What happens in the Post-Hakamata era?
Dr. Shinichi Ishizuka (Professor Emeritus Ryūkoku University, CEO Criminal Justice Futures)

This symposium is made possible through the generous support of the Great Britain Sasakawa Foundation