As Japan's death row inmate count has gone up, drastic measures have been taken. Execution is now in full effect for some unlucky persons. Just in the past ten months, Japan has executed 10, quickly catching up to their record of 12 inmates in a year. Un-witnessed executions of inmates who's lawyers were not informed of the hangings until after they were through. Who else was not informed of the up-coming execution event? The family, blood relatives, those who you would think would be told first, were actually informed last of this hasty decision. Inmates on the other hand were only informed the morning of their untimely demise.
Amnesty International Japan wishes to abolish the death penalty and has never signed an execution order, because it is "an extreme form of human rights violation." Others would disagree however, claiming that when someone is sentenced to life in prison they have no rights, they are soul-less for murdering or what have not. Maybe that is their ultimate punishment. His sucessor, agrees with the death penalty, and would sign an execution order.
Many Japanese politicians disagree with the execution orders. Coincidentally though, many execution dates have been set for Japanese holidays, therefore being unable to bring up the matter in the Japanese diet.
Seigo Hirayama, chairman of the Japan Federation of Bar Associations, wishes to cease all executions until there has been a national debate about the capital punishment system
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/article2315838.ece
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