Summary of Why Japan's conviction rate is 99%

Summary

The video discusses Japan's remarkably high conviction rate, which stands at 99%. It highlights several key aspects of the Japanese criminal justice system, including its low crime rates and emphasis on rehabilitation, which leads to fewer incarcerations compared to other wealthy nations. However, the video contrasts this with the reality that those accused of crimes in Japan are almost always convicted.

The case of Kazuo Ishikawa, who was wrongfully convicted of murder in 1964 after a lengthy interrogation, is presented as a significant example. Ishikawa, who was illiterate, confessed after 30 days of intense questioning, despite maintaining his innocence and having an alibi supported by family members. The video notes that in Japan, the chances of overturning a guilty verdict are extremely low, with 98% of appeals in serious cases failing.

The Japanese judicial system lacks juries, relying instead on a panel of judges, and since 2009, lay judges have participated in some cases. The conditions for inmates, especially on death row, are described as harsh, with long periods of solitary confinement and uncertainty regarding execution dates. Ishikawa spent ten years on death row before his sentence was commuted to life imprisonment, which he attributes to accumulating evidence in his favor.

Overall, the video paints a picture of a system that prioritizes conviction rates over justice, with significant implications for the accused.

Presenters/Contributors

Notable Quotes

— 00:35 — « Kazooie Ishikawa was convicted of murder in 1964 he signed a confession statement after 30 days of interrogation even though he was illiterate at the time. »
— 01:50 — « 98% of appeals in serious cases fail because they are either dismissed, the requests for retrial are retracted, or the accused passed away. »
— 02:18 — « Prison life is draconian; talking is prohibited for most of the day and reading is only sometimes allowed. »
— 02:36 — « Death row inmates can wait in solitary confinement for many years; they are also not told when they would be executed. »
— 02:53 — « He thinks this was because evidence had accumulated in his favor. »

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