Saul Lehrfreund, co-founder and co-executive director of the Death Penalty Project, a British non-governmental organization, recently shared his thoughts on Japan’s continued use of the death penalty in an interview in Tokyo. Despite a global trend towards abolishing capital punishment, Japan remains one of the few developed nations to still carry out executions.
While Japan considers its allies as partners who share similar values, the issue of the death penalty creates a discrepancy. Takako Suzuki, a lawmaker from the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, has raised concerns about Japan’s stance on capital punishment, especially when criticizing autocracies for human rights violations.
As of the end of 2023, 144 countries have abolished the death penalty, highlighting Japan’s isolation on this issue among industrialized nations. The lack of transparency surrounding executions in Japan, with limited information available to the public, has led to calls for a review of the death penalty system.
Lehrfreund emphasized that public support alone should not dictate the continuation of executions, pointing out the importance of providing support to victims of crimes. He suggested that an independent survey conducted by international experts would offer a more representative assessment of public opinion on the death penalty.
In the past, Japan’s use of capital punishment has caused diplomatic tensions, as seen in defense cooperation talks with Australia. Concerns over the potential application of the death penalty to Australian service members in Japan led to negotiations and compromises to address these issues.
The method of execution in Japan, hanging, has also faced criticism, with comparisons to historical practices like lynching in the United States. The lack of public debate on this matter has raised questions among both supporters and opponents of the death penalty.
Overall, Japan’s stance on the death penalty remains a complex and controversial issue, with implications for its international relationships and human rights reputation. As the country navigates diplomatic challenges related to this practice, the debate on capital punishment continues both domestically and globally.