Two Death‑Row Prisoners Challenge Japan’s Last‑Minute Execution Rule
In what could be a historic first, two inmates on death row have filed a lawsuit against Japan, arguing that the government’s practice of announcing execution times only hours before the sentence is carried out is cruel and illegal.
What’s going wrong?
- Japanese capital punishment is carried out by hanging.
- Per the current system, prisoners are told the exact time of their execution on the day itself.
- International human‑rights groups claim this leaves inmates with no chance to file objections or prepare their families – a practice they describe as “inhumane.”
- All 112 death‑row inmates in Japan are currently awaiting execution; none have been executed for almost two years, a lapse that has sparked public debate.
The Lawsuit
On Thursday, the kuzu-no-chi (western city) of Osaka’s district court heard the case. The duo’s lawyer, Yutaka Ueda, claims the government’s practice violates Japan’s criminal code and deprives prisoners of the right to contest their sentences.
“Death‑row inmates live in constant dread, fearing that any day could be their last. The government’s silence before the execution is utterly cruel,” Ueda said.
He is demanding:
- A change in the notification procedure to allow inmates time to do everything they need before the execution.
- A compensation of 22 million yen (roughly S$261,624).
Why it matters
- Japan and the United States are the only industrialized democracies still practicing the death penalty.
- International bodies like Amnesty International have called for reform for decades.
- In overseas jurisdictions, prisoners typically receive advance notice, giving them time to grieve and mentally brace themselves.
- In Japan, the campaign has the title “Let Someone Know — It’s Time to End This Silence.”
Ueda says the goal of this lawsuit isn’t solely financial but to stir public conversation about a system he believes is seriously misguided.
What’s Next?
The central government has defended the practice as a means to prevent “pre‑execution suffering,” but critics say that explanation is flimsy. The court will decide whether the system should stay the same or change to a more humane approach.
Meanwhile, the 112 condemned inmates keep waking up each morning with the question: “Will I be tomorrow?” A chilling reality for a country that, according to polls, is largely favourable toward capital punishment.
