Comparative Criminal Justice System- Japan

Comparative Criminal Justice System- Japan
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Comparative Criminal Justice System- Japan
The diversities that are evident in the various sectors across the globe are also depicted in the criminal justice system. The complexities and the diversities in the different justice systems across different nations give room to have a comparative analysis of the policing and the processes that are undertaken in different jurisdictions. The comparative criminal justice system seeks to identify the strengths, weaknesses, and strategies used by law enforcement and the justice system in different jurisdictions across the world (Dammer & Albanese, 2013). Japan, one of the model nations as referred to by Dammer and Albanese, depicts a unique justice and law enforcement system, despite having some attributes of both the western and the American cultures. Many factors influence the nature and the design of the criminal justice system in different countries, including the dominant demographic, social, and political factors that are prevalent in a particular jurisdiction.
In the second half of the 19th century, the onset of urbanization and industrialization marked a rapid population growth in Japan, with the population density leaning towards the urban areas as more Japanese moved to more industrious urban areas in search of jobs and better living standards. As of the most recent census, Japan’s population has grown to over 125 million people, and the female gender is dominant due to their high life expectancy. The overall decline in the fertility rates among the Japanese and the aging population has significant implications on the population growth and other microeconomic aspects, including nominal interest rates, inflation rates, and GDP (Han, 2019). Japan’s social inequality status is on a worrying trend despite the country’s tremendous economic growth in the recent past and the adoption of the Abenomics economic policy. Inequality exists on almost all fronts, including gender inequality and socio-economic inequality. The representation of women in the decision-making organs is still minimal, compromising the status of human rights and gender equality despite the guaranteed equality by the constitution (Iida, 2018). Japan has established itself as one of the most stable democracies in the world, which has led to the establishment of a legal and justice system that is primarily based on civil law.
Under the general provisions of the Penal Code (Act No. 45 of 1907), the Constitution of Japan provides some guidelines on criminal law and sentencing for crimes committed within the country’s territory and even in a foreign country by and against a Japanese. Violent assault on Japanese soil is a criminal offense punishable by law. In the case of violent assault, some provisions such as the Police Act and the Police Official Duties Execution Act may take the course to allow police officers to prevent the assailant from causing any further harm to the victim. According to the Japanese laws following the verdict from a court of law, a guilty assailant is punished based on the different classes of punishment, including imprisonment with or without work, ...