A recent UN panel has urged Japan to abolish the death penalty, labeling it as 'cruel' and criticizing the methods of execution employed in the country. However, this call has been met with significant backlash from the Japanese public, who perceive the UN's stance as an infringement on their sovereignty. According to public opinion surveys, approximately 80% of Japanese citizens support the retention of the death penalty, reflecting a strong cultural and legal commitment to capital punishment [a0801943].
Since the year 2000, Japan has executed 98 inmates, with 107 individuals currently on death row. The last execution took place over two years ago, indicating a potential shift in the frequency of executions, but not in public support for the death penalty. Japan remains one of the few developed nations, alongside the United States, that continues to uphold capital punishment, standing out among its G7 counterparts [a0801943].
Amnesty International has reported that by the end of 2023, 144 nations had abolished the death penalty in law or practice, highlighting a growing global trend towards the elimination of capital punishment. In contrast, human rights activist Mario Marazziti has suggested that life sentences could serve as a humane alternative to executions; however, many Japanese citizens disagree, asserting their right to determine their legal practices without external interference [a0801943].
The UN's criticism has sparked a debate within Japan about the balance between international human rights standards and national sovereignty. Prominent figures such as Hiromichi Moteki and Ken Kato have voiced that the death penalty remains a vital aspect of Japan's legal system, supported by a significant majority of the population [a0801943].