Latest news with #KeisukeSuzuki
Japan Times
5 days ago
- Politics
- Japan Times
Japan's prison reform focuses on rehabilitation
For the first time in more than a century, Japan has overhauled its prison system with new rules placing greater emphasis on rehabilitation over punishment to combat the country's high recidivism rates. The new system, which took effect last Sunday, marks the first time that correctional facilities undergo a reform in 118 years. Individuals subject to the new rules are those who commit crimes after the law's implementation. A Penal Code amendment passed in 2022 removed the distinction between imprisonment with labor and that without. This means prison labor is no longer mandatory, which allows more time for educational and rehabilitative programs aimed at reducing recidivism. Previously, inmates were treated largely based on their risk of reoffending — a system that opened up the possibility of elderly repeat shoplifters being treated similarly to organized crime figures. In a news conference last Friday, Justice Minister Keisuke Suzuki said that the new policy is designed to reduce recidivism and that preparations for the changes are being actively made at each correctional facility. 'It is expected that the introduction of (the Penal Code revision) will further advance crime prevention in Japan, and it will be important to implement initiatives that reflect this intent moving forward,' Suzuki said. 'We will continue to advance efforts to achieve more effective treatment for the rehabilitation and reintegration of inmates into society, with the aim of realizing a society in which every citizen can live safely and securely.' The current law now defines imprisonment simply as 'confinement in a penal institution,' with inmates to be assigned either 'necessary work' or 'necessary guidance' for their rehabilitation and improvement. The change was prompted by the country's persistently high recidivism rates. According to an Ministry of Justice report in 2023, the rate stood at 47%, with repeat offenders accounting for about half of all arrests in recent years. Under the previous system of imprisonment with labor, inmates were often burdened with mandatory work, leaving insufficient time for guidance aimed at reformation. Yuko Shiota, an official at the Center for Prisoners' Rights who is in contact with current and former inmates, said the organization welcomes the changes and commends the ministry for recognizing the need for change. The new framework will also implement treatment that combines work and guidance tailored to the characteristics of inmates by categorizing them into 24 groups according to age, background and individual needs. These include a 'Daily Care – Senior' program for inmates 70 and older with dementia and 'Addiction Recovery' for those with drug dependencies. Other programs are designed for adults age 20 to 26, and those serving sentences of 10 years or more. Older inmates will focus on maintaining physical and cognitive function, while younger prisoners may take part in education programs to support reintegration into schools after release. According to Shiota, some groups — such as those involved in the disability rights movement or advocates — argue that such categorization is discriminatory. Some point out 'that since people with disabilities must live in a diverse society, it's important for society to see and interact with them, or else discrimination will inevitably emerge,' she said, adding that she thinks it's a valid point. However, Shiota also acknowledged that in the specific context of prisons, things are different. 'When you have a mix of people, those with disabilities often move more slowly and struggle to complete various tasks. Because of that, they've often been subjected to bullying or punishment,' she said. As such, she thinks it is a good idea to separate them from everyone else in prison to keep them from continuing to be discriminated against because of their disabilities. Shiota also expressed concerns about the significant pressure that correctional officers might come under due to their new roles. 'If you look at the official materials, it always says things like 'understanding the inmate's mental state' or 'responding according to each inmate's individual characteristics,' but even professional psychologists find that kind of work challenging,' she said. 'Expecting correctional officers to do it is really a heavy burden.' That said, Shiota acknowledged it is still too early to judge how the changes will go, and that as a whole, it is a positive development that is welcomed by many who advocate for prisoners' rights. 'I'm thinking of making recommendations once I've gathered enough information,' she said. 'I already receive many letters from people in prison asking for advice. I think I'll receive letters from everyone later on saying things like, 'Things have changed like this,' or 'This has started,' so I'm thinking of (making recommendations) after reading those letters.'
Asahi Shimbun
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Asahi Shimbun
Japan to adopt U.S.-style entry system for foreign visitors
Justice Minister Keisuke Suzuki explains the proposed Electronic System for Travel Authorization program at his May 23 news conference. (Yuki Nikaido) The government announced plans to introduce more rigorous online screening to root out undesirable foreign visitors and eventually reduce the number of illegal aliens in Japan to zero. Justice Minister Keisuke Suzuki told a May 23 news conference that 'strong measures' were needed, citing public disquiet over a barrage of media reports about foreign visitors behaving badly. The Japanese version of the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) that was introduced in the United States in 2009 will be up and running in fiscal 2028. Canada and New Zealand operate a similar program, and the European Union is planning to introduce its own version in 2026. The Japanese system consists of seven major policy planks intended to prevent foreign nationals with criminal records from entering Japan as well as to swiftly deport those who have been denied refugee status. Records show there were 2,122 foreign nationals at the end of 2024 who had received final confirmation for deportation. One goal of the plan announced May 23 is to halve that number by the end of fiscal 2030, according to the Immigration Services Agency. Under JESTA, prospective visitors to Japan from 71 nations and regions who are exempted from visas for short pleasure or business trips will have to apply online beforehand. Immigration authorities will check whether applicants have a criminal record or previously were in Japan illegally. Those who do not receive authorization will not be allowed to board flights bound for Japan. The ministry is expected to expand the program to cover those who might arrive by sea to enter Japan. DOUBTS ABOUT PROGRAM RAISED Just how effective JESTA will be in reducing the number of illegal aliens is already open to question. Naoko Hashimoto, an associate professor of international refugee law at International Christian University in Tokyo, accepted that there is a need for policies to reduce the number of illegal aliens. However, she pointed out that those who end up with that status may not necessarily come from nations that are exempted from visas for short-term visits. She said the government may be needlessly stirring up public emotions about unruly foreign elements by implementing policies based on impression rather than statistics. 'The number of crimes committed by foreigners has remained the same in recent years and the government has not released figures for the visa status of those arrested,' she added. Another component of the electronic screening system is to more swiftly process refugee applications, an area in which Japan has been heavily criticized for not allowing more people to settle. In 2015, the Immigration Services Agency classified refugee applications into four categories. Since 2018, for example, those who ended up in the case B file, meaning they were clearly not refugees, remained ineligible for the 'designated activities' visa. In 2018, case B applications made up about 20 percent of all applications, but that figure had been reduced to 0.6 percent in 2024. Agency officials said the sharp decrease may be due to applications being classified as case D, a dumping ground for all others that do not neatly go into the other three cases, rather than case B. As a result, immigration authorities decided to review how case B applications are decided. Suzuki said applications that are found to contain erroneous information or were deliberately misused will be swiftly classified as case B to increase the number of individuals denied the designated activities visa. That, in his view, will deter rank dishonesty in filling out applications. In the past, case B applications concerned people facing economic difficulties or who cited vague unease with the policies of their home government or were not considered in danger of having their rights violated. Agency officials declined to divulge what the new conditions would be in deciding case B applications on grounds publicizing that information would only lead to more applications submitted with the intention of avoiding a case B decision. The ICU's Hashimoto pointed out that the move to expand the number of case B decisions would lead to an increase of illegal aliens, thereby contradicting the program's stated goal. Another aspect of the plan will be to increase government funding to allow immigration marshals to escort deportees back to their native land. Individuals who have made at least three failed refugee applications or have a record of committing major crimes would be covered under the program. Authorities said 249 deportees were escorted back to their homeland by air marshals in 2024. They said the government is seeking to double that figure in three years. 'I have doubts as to whether the plan to improve immigration control will be an effective strategy in the medium- to long-term,' Hashimoto said.
23-05-2025
- Politics
Japan to Facilitate Deportations of Undocumented Foreigners
News from Japan Politics May 23, 2025 17:55 (JST) Tokyo, May 23 (Jiji Press)--The Japanese government will expedite screenings of applications for refugee status to facilitate deportations of "undocumented" foreigners, Justice Minister Keisuke Suzuki said Friday. "We are committed to creating a society in which the people can live feeling at ease together with foreigners, by strictly dealing with foreigners who do not observe rules," Suzuki told a press conference. The plan could trigger concerns from the perspective of refugee protection. To speed up the refugee screening process, the government will present case types that do not clearly meet the definition of refugee under the U.N. Convention on the Status of Refugees. It will also front-load the introduction of a system modeled on the U.S. Electronic System for Travel Authorization, or ESTA, to fiscal 2028 from fiscal 2030, to prevent entry to Japan by foreigners with risks of staying illegally. [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.] Jiji Press
Zawya
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Zawya
Saudi Arabia, Japan sign deal to boost judicial cooperation
TOKYO — Saudi Minister of Justice Walid Al-Samaani met with his Japanese counterpart Keisuke Suzuki during an official visit to Tokyo to discuss enhancing judicial ties between the two countries. Al-Samaani highlighted the Kingdom's recent legal and judicial reforms, supported by the Saudi leadership, including the implementation of specialized legislation aimed at achieving prompt and transparent justice. He emphasized advancements such as real-time audio and video documentation of court hearings — both in-person and through virtual litigation — as well as the publication of judicial rulings and the expansion of preventive justice through notarization of enforceable contracts. During the meeting, the two sides signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at deepening cooperation in the judicial field. The agreement enables the exchange of legal expertise and best practices in areas such as legislation, capacity building, and dispute resolution. © Copyright 2022 The Saudi Gazette. All Rights Reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Saudi Gazette
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Saudi Gazette
Saudi Arabia, Japan sign MoU to boost judicial cooperation
Saudi Gazette report TOKYO — Saudi Minister of Justice Walid Al-Samaani met with his Japanese counterpart Keisuke Suzuki during an official visit to Tokyo to discuss enhancing judicial ties between the two countries. Al-Samaani highlighted the Kingdom's recent legal and judicial reforms, supported by the Saudi leadership, including the implementation of specialized legislation aimed at achieving prompt and transparent justice. He emphasized advancements such as real-time audio and video documentation of court hearings — both in-person and through virtual litigation — as well as the publication of judicial rulings and the expansion of preventive justice through notarization of enforceable contracts. During the meeting, the two sides signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at deepening cooperation in the judicial field. The agreement enables the exchange of legal expertise and best practices in areas such as legislation, capacity building, and dispute resolution.
