Mr . B, t he Hea d of t he Tr ea t ment

Sur el y not an Or der f or an Execut i on.

I t ha d t ur ned 5: 00 p. m. on 22

^nd

Dec ember 2001. The s t a f f member who t ook t he c a l l s a i d t o t he Seni or Cor r ec t i ona l Tr ea t ment Of f i c er B,

Mr . B, t he Hea d of t he Tr ea t ment

³

Di v i s i on wa nt s t o s ee you.

The Hea d of t he Tr ea t ment Di v i s i on?

B got up f r om hi s s eat and l ooked ar ound t he of f i ce. Nei t her t he Chi ef nor t he Super v i s or wa s t her e. B wa s i n c ha r ge of t he s ol i t a r y c el l s .

Rol l c a l l i s ov er , r i ght ?

Yes . Al l 531 a r e pr es ent a nd c or r ec t , t he Of f i c er i n c ha r ge of c l er i c a l wor k i n t he Tr ea t ment Di v i s i on r epl i ed. When meet i ng a n of f i c er of hi gher r a nk, t he one of l ower r a nk nev er f a i l s t o r epor t t he number of i nma t es .

531 pr es ent a nd c or r ec t .

B r epea t ed t he c ur r ent number of pr i s oner s a nd l ef t t he of f i c e.

Sev er a l met r es a hea d, s t a ndi ng i n f r ont of t he of f i c e of t he Hea d of t he Tr ea t ment Di v i s i on wa s t he Suppl i es Ma na ger . Under hi s a r m he wa s c a r r yi ng l a r ge- s i z ed wor k- r el at ed j our nal s . Then and t her e B s t ood s t i l l and f ol l owed hi m wi t h hi s eyes as he knoc ked on t he door , t ur ned t he door knob a nd ent er ed t he r oom. He ha d a n unpl ea s a nt pr emoni t i on.

A Tr ue Ac c ount of a Condemned Pr i s oner up unt i l hi s Exec ut i on

¹

by Sa ka mot o Tos hi o

²

C. J . A. Li s t er

(Received on October25,2010)

1 The translated passage isapartofChapter1 (pages15~38)of

Shi k e i no Sub e t e

(Everything aboutthe Death Penalty)BungeiShunju:2006

2 Sakamoto Toshio (born 1947)wasacareerprison warderworking in variousdetention houses and prisonsfrom 1967 onwards.

3 Treatment refersto treatmentofoffenders.

Tomor r ow and t he day af t er bei ng hol i days , t he Emper ors Bi r t hday f ol l owed by Chr i s t ma s Ev e, B ha d dec i ded t o t a ke hi s c hi l dr en on a n out i ng. He ha d a l r ea dy not i f i ed t he of f i c e t ha t he woul d be s pendi ng a da y a nd ni ght a wa y f r om home a nd ha d ma de a l l pr epa r a t i ons . The onl y t hi ng r ema i ni ng f or hi m t o do wa s r et ur n home.

B, i t ha s a r r i v ed.

I mmedi a t el y r ea c t i ng t o t he wor ds of t he Hea d of t he Tr ea t ment Di v i s i on, B s a i d, When?

The 27

^th

.

For gov er nment empl oyees , t he 28

^th

i s t he f i na l bus i nes s da y of t he yea r . As f or t he 27

^th

, t ha t i s t he da y f or ma ki ng pr epa r a t i ons f or t he new yea r , doi ng s uc h t hi ngs a s a f ul l - s c a l e c l ea ni ng, f i l i ng doc ument s et c .

Why a f t er bei ng pr es s ed f or t i me wi t h a l l t hi s ext r a end of yea r wor k s houl d we ha v e t o do t hi s a s wel l , B t hought ?

He di d not v oi c e hi s f eel i ngs but ev en he wa s a wa r e t ha t he l ooked di s pl ea s ed.

The key of f i c er s , t he Hea d of t he Tr ea t ment Di v i s i on, t he Chi ef a nd t he Suppl i es Ma na - ger , s i t t i ng a t t he meet i ng t a bl e t ur ned t hei r eyes on hi m. I t s eemed t ha t ev er yone wa s ha v i ng unpl ea s a nt f eel i ngs .

I ts Y, r i ght ? Tha ts r i ght .

The Hea d of t he Tr ea t ment Di v i s i on nodded.

Bel ow t he Gov er nor , t her e wer e no peopl e wi t h exper i enc e of t hi s a mong t he c ur r ent hi gher - l ev el empl oyees . B under s t ood t ha t t he key of f i c er s wer e a l l pr es ent a nd wer e r el yi ng on hi m. Pr oper l y s pea ki ng he s houl d be ea ger t o meet ev er yones expec t a t i ons but j us t t hi s t i me he c oul dnt f eel t ha t wa y .

Not e: Ranks i n t he Tr eat ment Di vi s i on ar e as f ol l ows : t he Head of t he Tr eat ment Di v i s i on; Chi ef ; Super v i s or ; Gener a l St a f f ( Seni or Wa r der ; Wa r der )

The Bobbi ng Cor pse

On New Yea rs Ev e 1983 a c or ps e wa s di s c ov er ed bobbi ng up a nd down on t he s ur -

f a c e of t he s ea i ns i de t he ba y . On t he body wer e a l a r ge number of ma r ks , t he r es ul t of

bl ows . The f a c e ha d a l s o s uf f er ed s ev er e da ma ge. The mur der ed per s on wa s a ma l e

money l ender , who wa s 39 yea r s a t t he t i me of hi s dea t h. The i nv es t i ga t i on hea dqua r -

t er s deduc ed t ha t t he mur der er wa s Y, a n exec ut i v e of a t r a ns por t c ompa ny, who ha d bor - r owed a l ar ge s um of money f r om t he vi ct i m, and opened t hei r i nves t i gat i on. I n t he c our s e of t hei r exa mi na t i on of wi t nes s es , a s a r es ul t of t he c onf es s i on of a n empl oyee of t he company , X, t he whol e s t or y of t he mur der i n whi ch he was an accompl i ce of Y, bec a me c l ea r .

Y, who ha d r es ol v ed t o mur der t he ma n pr es s i ng hi m t o r epa y hi s l oa n, l ur ed t he v i c - t i m out t o go f i s hi ng on Dec ember 25

^th

. St a r t i ng t o f i s h on a qua ys i de, Y a nd X wa i t ed f or t hei r moment , bea t t he v i c t i m t o dea t h wi t h a n i r on ba r a nd a t t a c hi ng a n a nc hor t o t he dea d body , a ba ndoned i t i n t he s ea .

Howev er t hi s wa s not t he onl y c r i me, whi c h t he pa i r c ommi t t ed. Ther e a r e ma ny c r i mes c ommi t t ed by i ndi v i dua l s , whi c h ha v e pr ov ed i mpos s i bl e t o s ol v e. Howev er i n t he c a s e of c r i mes c ommi t t ed by mor e t ha n one per s on, i t i s s omet i mes t he c a s e t ha t t he c r i mi na l i s expos ed a f t er hi s a c c ompl i c e c onf es s es . Whet her he does t hi s f r om a s ens e of want i ng t o r epent or out of s el f - i nt er es t , wi s hi ng t o r ecei ve a l i ght er puni s hment , i n ei t her cas e, t he t r ut h about pas t cr i mes i s of t en br ought t o l i ght by t he conf es s i ons of accompl i ces . As a r es ul t of Xs conf es s i ons , one af t er anot her pas t mur der s wer e br ought t o l i ght .

I n November 1979, Y t oget her wi t h hi s acquai nt ance X, who at t he t i me was 20, pl a nned t o mur der s omeone, ma ke i t l ook l i ke a n a c c i dent a l dea t h a nd f r a udul ent l y c l a i m t he i ns ur a nc e money. Lur i ng t he ma n t o go out wi t h t hem on a boa t f i s hi ng a t ni ght , one ki l omet r e out i n t he open s ea , t hey pus hed hi m ov er boa r d a nd he dr owned. Howev er t he pol i c e c onc l uded t ha t t he ma ns dea t h wa s a s ui c i de a nd t he pa i rs pl a n t o c ol l ec t t he i ns ur a nc e money wa s f r us t r a t ed.

And t hen i n J anuar y 1983, Y, want i ng t o f r audul ent l y col l ect t he i ns ur ance money f r om a n i ns ur ed empl oyee i ns t r uc t ed X t o mur der hi s c ol l ea gue D who a t t he t i me wa s 30.

X s a i d t o D Lets t a ke a br ea k a t a qui et s pot on a na t i ona l hi ghwa y. Onc e t he c a r ha d

s t opped he mur der ed D by bea t i ng hi m t o dea t h wi t h a n i r on ba r f r om out s i de t he c a r .

Pus hi ng t he c a r wi t h t he body i ns i de ov er i nt o t he bot t om of a r a v i ne he ma de i t l ook l i ke

a n a c c i dent . The pol i c e c onc l uded t ha t i t wa s a n a c c i dent a nd i n t i me t he pa i r s uc c eeded

i n def r a udi ng t he i ns ur a nc e c ompa ny out of t he money .

The Mi ni st er of J ust i ce Gi ves t he Or der f or t he Execut i on.

Or i gi na t i ng a s a r epor t f r om t he publ i c pr os ec ut ors of f i c e, t he ma t t er of t he exec u- t i on i s exa mi ned wi t hi n t he Mi ni s t r y of J us t i c e a nd a f t er bei ng c i r c ul a t ed t o t he depa r t - ment s c onc er ned i s s ubmi t t ed v i a t he Chi ef Sec r et a r y, Under - Sec r et a r y a nd Vi c e Mi ni s t er t o t he Mi ni s t er of J us t i c e f or a ppr ov a l . The number of s ea l s s t a mped on t he dr a f t doc u- ment i s no l es s t ha n 30.

Y a nd X wer e c ha r ged wi t h t hr ee c ount s of mur der a mongs t ot her c ha r ges a nd t he pr os ec ut or pr opos ed t he dea t h pena l t y . The r ul i ng of t he f i r s t t r i a l wa s gi v en i n 1985.

They wer e s ent enced t o deat h at di s t r i ct cour t N. Af t er t hi s t hei r appeal t o t he hi gh cour t N was di s mi s s ed and f ur t her mor e Ys f i nal appeal was r ej ect ed by t he Supr eme Cour t a nd hi s dea t h pena l t y wa s f i na l i z ed i n 1993. Xs dea t h s ent enc e wa s f i na l i z ed wi t h- out a ny f i na l a ppea l t o t he Supr eme Cour t a nd he wa s s ent t o t he ga l l ows i n 1998.

I nc l udi ng t he pr os ec ut or who pr opos es t he dea t h pena l t y, t he j udges who ha nd down t he dea t h s ent enc e, t he bur ea uc r a t s who s t a mp t hei r s ea l s i n a r ow on t he dr a f t or der of exec ut i on a nd t he Mi ni s t er , t her e a r e mor e t ha n 100 peopl e i nv ol v ed. None of t hes e peo- pl e s et one f oot i ns i de t he execut i on chamber

⁴

. They ar e compl et e out s i der s . Even t hough i t i s t he Mi ni s t er who s i gns her na me a nd a f f i xes her s ea l t o t he dea t h wa r r a nt , s he pr oba bl y doe s not ha v e t he a c ut e f e e l i ng of de pr i v i ng a pe r s on of hi s l i f e wi t h he r ha nd

⁵

. Fr om t he wi ndow of t he Mi ni s t ers of f i c e i n t he moder n hi gh- r i s e Bui l di ng 6 of t he c ombi ned gov er nment of f i c es i n Ka s umi ga s eki , t he I mper i a l Pa l a c e, Ma r unouc hi a nd t he whol e of Hi bi ya can be s een. Can i t be pos s i bl e t o i magi ne t he dar k, damp pl ace of exec ut i on

⁶

whi l e l ooki ng a t s uc h a v i ew?

4 On 28^thJuly 2010,Justice MinisterChibaKeiko became the firstJustice Ministerto attend an execution.(Japan Times29/7/2010)

5 Considering thatthe numberofexecutionsisso few,notwithstanding the factthatthere are a large numberofpeople involved in the decision to execute,asthe person with the finalauthor- ity to eitherauthorize ordeny the execution,Idontsee how the majority ofJustice Ministers (perhapswith the exception ofHatoyamaKunio,the so-called Grim Reaper,who solemnly [

s huk us huk ut o

]signed arecord numberof13 death warrantsduring hisone yearin office,the mostsince the mid 1970s)could failto have the acute feeling ofdepriving aperson ofhislife with his/ herhand,no matterwhattheirpersonalopinion aboutcapitalpunishmentwas. 6 Thisdescription doesnotappearto match the colourphoto ofthe execution chamberatthe

Tokyo Detention House on page 1 ofthe Japan Timesof28/8/2010.

　A da r k ba s ement .

　Ai r t ha t nev er mov es , whi c h i s a s c ol d a s i c e.

　A pl a i n wood c of f i n c a r r i ed i n s ec r et l y , out of def er enc e t o ot her s . 　A t hi c k, nyl on r ope, s t r i ki ng f or i t s unus ua l whi t enes s .

　The whi t e gl ov es of a pr i s on of f i c er i n f ul l - dr es s uni f or m.

　The c ha pl a i ns v es t ment s .

　A pi c t ur e of t he Vi r gi n Ma r y a nd a f i gur e of Chr i s t on t he c r os s . 　The c r i es of t he c ondemned pr i s oner .

　The r us t l i ng of c l ot hes a c c ompa nyi ng mov ement t o t he ga l l ows . 　The ea r - s pl i t t i ng s ound of s c r ea mi ng.

　The s pr a yi ng of body f l ui ds .

　The body a t t he poi nt of dea t h ha ngi ng i n mi da i r .

　The dea d body l a i d out on a s t r et c her a f t er dea t h ha s been c onf i r med.

　The i nv es t i ga t i on of t he f a c t s by t he pr os ec ut or . 　The c l ea ni ng of t he c or ps e.

　The pl a c i ng of t he body i n t he c of f i n.

　The of f er i ng of f l ower s .

　The t a ki ng out of t he dea d body t o t he mor t ua r y .

　The pr ea c hi ng i n f r ont of t he c of f i n. ( A f uner a l wi t hi n t he wa l l s of t he det ent i on hous e i nv ol v es t he key of f i c er s bel ow t he Gov er nor a s wel l a s t he Wa r der s i n c ha r ge of t he c el l s et c . a nd t he ot her pa r t i es c onc er ned ga t her i ng t o hol d a s er v i c e f or t he r epos e of t he s oul of t he dea d pr i s oner . )

I f I c oul d ha v e t he Mi ni s t er env i s a ge a ny s i ngl e one of t hes e t hi ngs , s ome of t he peo- pl e who a r e a t t he pl a c e of exec ut i on woul d a l s o be br ought t o her mi nd.

Why t he Anomal ous Year - End Execut i on?

Si nc e i n t he f i r s t pl a c e t hey ma ke us c a r r y out a n exec ut i on a t t hi s ki nd of per i od a t t he end of t he yea r , t hey a r e pr oba bl y not c ons i der i ng t he s i t ua t i on a t a l l .

Y ha s ma ny s uppor t er s . He i s a f a mous dea t h r ow i nma t e s o a f t er wa r ds i f i t does nt br i ng t r oubl e i t wi l l be good, howev er we s houl d not be s o opt i mi s t i c .

The medi a wi l l be bot her s ome. We ha v e t o s uf f i c i ent l y r ev i ew c ount er mea s ur es .

The key of f i c er s who us ua l l y di d t hei r bes t t o unc ondi t i ona l l y obey t hei r s uper i or s

or der s , t hi s t i me s eemed t o be r el uc t a nt .

At t he t i me when ones t hought s a r e onc e a ga i n bound t o be on s eei ng t he new yea r i n, one ha s t o c a r r y out a n exec ut i on. I t i s r ea l l y unpl ea s a nt .

Whi l e br i ngi ng t o mi nd Ys a ppea r a nc e, B s a i d, Y hi ms el f t hi nks he wi l l not be exec ut ed t hi s yea r .

Looki ng a t B, t he Chi ef s a i d Up t o t he mi ddl e of t hi s mont h ev er y da y he ha s been s end- i ng out f i na l l et t er s . I c a nt bea r i t .

Y, who ev er y da y wa s c ont i nui ng t o s end t wo l et t er s t a ki ng a phi l os ophi c v i ew t o peo- pl e on t he out s i de s uc h a s r el a t i v es or hi s l a wyer wr ot e, I t i s bec omi ng da nger ous . Suc h a ki nd of r umour i s goi ng a r ound. Ther e i s s ome t a l k t ha t t her e wi l l be a n exec ut i on.

Si nc e s omet hi ng ha s c ha nged i n t he expr es s i ons of t he peopl e i n c ha r ge I a m pr epa r ed f or t he f a c t t ha t t hi s ma y be i t a nd a m wr i t i ng l et t er s t o ev er yone. I t hi nk t ha t when I go t o t he ga l l ows , Id l i ke t o do s o i n a wa y s o a s not t o di s honour mys el f .

The c ont ent of l et t er s bei ng s ent a nd r ec ei v ed i s a l wa ys c ens or ed. The pr i s on of f i - c er a s s i gned t o t he j ob of c ens or , r ec or ds t he ma i n poi nt s on t he c or r es pondenc e l i s t a nd a t t a c hi ng i t t o t he l et t er , s ubmi t s i t t hr ough me t o t he Chi ef f or hi s dec i s i on on whet her t o a ppr ov e i t or not .

The Chi ef f eel s bot h s us pi c i on a nd ment a l a ngui s h i n t he pr oc es s of ma ki ng hi s dec i - s i on. I t i s unl i kel y t ha t a ny of t he gua r ds ev er s a i d Ther es goi ng t o be a n exec ut i on s oon. Y ha d pr oba bl y s ounded out s omeone on t he s ubj ec t .

B t hought t ha t i f he c oul d a ns wer c onf i dent l y he woul d l i ke t o s a y t o hi m, You dont need t o wor r y yet . Ev en he i s unques t i ona bl y a l i v i ng huma n a nd B t hought t ha t he woul d l i ke t o t r ea t hi m a s a huma n who i s goi ng t o c ont i nue t o l i v e. He di dnt ev en wa nt t o l ook t he c ondemned pr i s oner who mi ght be execut ed a t a ny t i me, i n t he eye, muc h l es s t o ha v e a c onv er s a t i on wi t h hi m. B di dnt wa nt t he wor ds , whi c h he exc ha nged wi t h hi m t o be t he ma ns f i na l wor ds . Ev en ma ki ng t he r ounds of t he c el l s he a ut oma t i c a l l y t r i ed t o s t ep noi s el es s l y a nd hur r y pa s t t he c el l . Condemned pr i s oner s undoubt edl y gi v e of f a s pec i a l a ur a r i ght bef or e t hei r exec ut i on.

Mor e t ha n a mont h bef or e, c onf i dent i a l i nf or ma t i on i s r ec ei v ed by t he Gov er nor of

t he Det ent i on Hous e f r om a hi gh- r a nki ng of f i c i a l i n t he Cor r ec t i ons Depa r t ment of t he

Mi ni s t r y of J us t i c e. Ther e i s a phone c a l l t o t he ef f ec t t ha t s i nc e t he exec ut i on pr opos a l

i s now bei ng pa s s ed a r ound, i t wi l l pr oba bl y be s oon. Nobody ha d a ny i dea when s oon

woul d be but i t ended up j us t bef or e Chr i s t ma s .

The per s on i n ques t i on t hought t ha t he woul d be exec ut ed by a bout t he 20

^th

, di dnt he? I n hi s r oom i t i s s a i d t ha t i t s eemed l i ke t ha t i t wa s pr oba bl y O. K. wi t h hi m when- ev er he depa r t ed f r om t hi s l i f e. He ha d a r r a nged hi s r oom i n a ppl e- pi e or der , ev er yt hi ng f r om hi s books t o hi s a r t i c l es f or da i l y us e. He ha d l ef t not es s a yi ng who he wi s hed hi s per s ona l bel ongi ngs t o be gi v en t o, r i ght down t o hi s c hops t i c ks . Howev er i t wa s s a i d t ha t t he 27

^th

woul d pr oba bl y be t he da t e f or exec ut i on. Ri ght a f t er Chr i s t ma s a nd a f ew da ys l a t er woul d be t he New Yea r . Ca nt a nyt hi ng be done a bout i t ?

B s ai d t hi s l ooki ng at t he Head of t he Tr eat ment Di vi s i on. The t one of hi s voi ce gr adual l y became hi gher and hi gher and by t he end he was s hout i ng. Anger at t he or der f or a n exec ut i on a t t hi s unr ea s ona bl e t i me, t he f i na l da ys of t he yea r , wa s now bei ng di r ect ed at t he hi ghes t - r anked per s on, t he Head of t he Tr eat ment Di vi s i on. However even he f el t t he s ame way . He f ol ded hi s ar ms acr os s hi s ches t , pur s ed hi s l i ps and mer el y nodded.

War der s at Det ent i on Houses ar e Mur der er s.

The f ol l owi ng mor ni ng B wa s hol di ng t he s t eer i ng wheel of hi s mi ni v a n. As pl a nned he wa s goi ng on a n out i ng wi t h hi s wi f e a nd t wo boys who wer e bot h i n pr i ma r y s c hool .

I n ans wer t o t he key of f i cer s who wer e wor r i ed about whet her i t was O. K. not t o begi n pr epa r a t i ons ov er t he t wo- da y hol i da y, B ha d s a i d, I ts a publ i c hol i da y f ol l owed by Chr i s t ma s Ev e. Lets l ea v e i t . Exper i enc e i s a t er r i bl e t hi ng. The mor e exper i enc e you a c c umul a t e, t he mor e t he pr epa r a t or y wor k f or t he exec ut i on wi l l be a s s i gned t o you, wi t hout peopl e gi v i ng i t a s ec ond t hought .

For B, Ys exec ut i on woul d be t he f our t h he ha d a s s i s t ed i n. He wa s r ega r ded a s s omeone a bl e t o do a j ob a nd deepl y t r us t ed by hi s s uper i or s . He ha d been i n c ha r ge of condemned pr i s oner s f or a l ong t i me. Faces of many col l eagues came t o mi nd.

When t her e ha d been t r oubl e t hey ha d di s a ppea r ed f r om hi s wor kpl a c e bef or e he ha d r ea l i z ed i t . B t hought t ha t pr ov i ded t ha t you c a n get t he s a me s a l a r y , i f you dont need t o f ei gn i gnor a nc e of i nf r a c t i ons of r ul es by pr i s oner s by s eei ng no ev i l , hea r i ng no ev i l a nd s pea ki ng no ev i l a nd dont need t o s kul k a bout t r yi ng t o a v oi d t r oubl e, i t woul d be bet - t er t o a v oi d t hi s ki nd of wor k.

B di dnt l i ke t o t hi nk a bout t he deep- s ea t ed gr udge ha r bor ed by t he dea d per s on a nd

t he ev i l c ons equenc es of depr i v i ng s omeone of hi s l i f e by exec ut i on but bot h hi s f a t her

a nd mot her ha d di ed one a f t er t he ot her whi l e t hey wer e i n t hei r s i xt i es .

I t wa s a f t er hi s f i r s t exper i enc e of exec ut i on t ha t he ha d mov ed out of t he of f i c i a l r es i - denc e f or det ent i on hous e empl oyees . Ri ght a f t er t he exec ut i on a gr oup c a l l i ng t hem- s el ves ci t i z ens agai ns t capi t al puni s hment appr oached t he of f i ci al r es i dence yel l i ng a ngr i l y i n c hor us s o t ha t t he c hi l dr en i ns i de c oul d hea r , Det ent i on hous e wa r der s a r e mur der er s . Tel l your f a t her s . St op ki l l i ng peopl e. Ca pi t a l puni s hment i s mur der by t he s t a t e.

Though t he gr oup c a l l t hems el v es huma n r i ght s a c t i v i s t s t hey ha v e no under s t a nd- i ng of huma n r i ght s . I n t he of f i c i a l r es i denc e t her e a r e wi v es a nd c hi l dr en who know not hi ng a bout exec ut i ons . When B l ooked a t t he s l eepi ng f a c es of hi s i nf a nt s ons he ha d f el t s t r ongl y t ha t he wa s no l onger a bl e t o l i v e i n t he of f i c i a l r es i denc e.

He ha d t ol d hi s wi f e on t hr ee oc c a s i ons t ha t he ha d ha d not hi ng t o do wi t h pr ev i ous exec ut i ons . Thi s t i me t oo when t he a r t i c l e a bout t he exec ut i on a ppea r ed i n t he pa per , B wa s a f r a i d s he woul d a s k a ga i n. Hi s r epl y woul d be t he s a me. He woul d s a y, I t i s nt my t ur n yet . And s he woul d r epl y , Rea l l y?

He expec t ed t ha t s he woul d l ook a t hi m wi t h a s mi l i ng f a c e mi xed wi t h s omet hi ng mor e c ompl ex. Li s t eni ng t o t he c hi l dr ens ha ppy v oi c es , he hoped a nd pr a yed t ha t no t er - r i bl e di s a s t er woul d bef a l l hi s wi f e a nd c hi l dr en.

Wher e ar e t he Condemned Pr i soner s.

J a pa ns c r i mi na l det ent i on i ns t i t ut i ons c ons i s t of pr i s ons , whi c h hous e peopl e c on- vi ct ed of cr i mes and det ent i on hous es whi ch accommodat e s us pect s and def endant s . Howev er c ondemned pr i s oner s a r e a c c ommoda t ed i n det ent i on hous es i n t he s a me l oc a - t i on a s t he r es pec t i v e hi gh c our t ( wi t h t he exc ept i on of Ta ka ma t s u) . The number s of t he v a r i ous c r i mi na l det ent i on i ns t i t ut i ons a r e a s f ol l ows :

Pr i s ons Ma i n 67 Sub 6

Adul t pr i s ons Ma i n 50 Sub 4 J uv eni l e pr i s ons Ma i n 8

Womens pr i s ons Ma i n 5 Sub 2

Medi c a l pr i s ons Ma i n 4

Det ent i on hous es Ma i n 7 Sub 110

Of t he a bov e t ot a l , t hos e

hous i ng c ondemned Ma i n 5 Sub 2 pr i s oner s

Ac t ua l number s a nd l oc a t i ons of c ondemned pr i s oner s As of Ma r c h 1

^st

2006 t her e wer e 82 c ondemned pr i s oner s .

The det ent i on hous es whi c h a c c ommoda t e c ondemned pr i s oner s a nd t he c ur r ent popul a t i on of t he l a t t er .

Det ent i on Hous e Number of Condemned Pr ef ec t ur e i n whi c h t he Fi r s t Pr i s oner s Tr i a l wa s Hel d

Sa ppor o 1 Hokka i do

Senda i 4 Aomor i , I wa t e, Mi ya gi , Aki t a , Ya ma ga t a , Fukus hi ma Tokyo 43 Toc hi gi , I ba r a ki , Gumma , Sa i t a ma ,

( i nc l udi ng 2 women) Chi ba , Tokyo, Ka na ga wa , Ni i ga t a , Ya ma na s hi , Na ga no, Shi z uoka Na goya 5 Toya ma , I s hi ka wa , Fukui , Gi f u,

( i nc l udi ng 1 woma n) Ai c hi , Mi e

Os a ka 20 Shi ga , Kyot o, Os a ka , Hyogo, Wa ka ya ma , ( i nc l udi ng 1 woma n) Tokus hi ma , Ka ga wa , Ehi me, Koc hi Hi r os hi ma 1 Tot t or i , Shi ma ne, Oka ya ma ,

Hi r os hi ma , Ya ma guc hi Fukuoka 8 Fukuoka , Sa ga , Na ga s a ki , Oi t a ,

Kuma mot o, Ka gos hi ma , Oki na wa

The De pr e s s i on Suf f e r e d by t he Pe r s on i n Cha r g e of t he Conde mne d Ce l l s .

On Dec ember 25

^th

t he Seni or Cor r ec t i ona l Tr ea t ment Of f i c er B wa s a t wor k a s us ua l .

He ma de t he r ounds of t he c el l s endea v our i ng t o l ook c heer f ul . He wa s bei ng c a r ef ul not t o di v er ge f r om ei t her hi s us ua l ma nner of wa l ki ng or s pea ki ng. Al t hough bot h hi s hea r t a nd f eet f el t hea v y , c hec ki ng hi s wa t c h he ent er ed c ondemned pr i s oner Ys c el l a t pr e- c i s el y 9: 00 a . m. Si nc e he ha d been a s s i gned t he c ondemned pr i s oner s f or hi s mor ni ng r ounds , he wa s bei ng c a r ef ul not t o v a r y t he t i me by ev en a mi nut e.

F Wi ng, whi c h c ont a i ns 33 s ol i t a r y c el l s , hous es a mong ot her s , c ondemned pr i s on- er s , whos e s ent enc es ha v e not yet been f i na l i z ed a nd t hos e whos e s ent enc es ha v e a l r ea dy been f i na l i z ed. Thes e a r e t he c el l s wher e Bs f eet f el t hea v i es t when doi ng hi s r ounds .

Seni or War der S who was i n char ge of t he cel l s s t epped up and gave a s al ut e. B r et ur ned hi s s a l ut e.

Repor t i ng a l l 28 pr es ent a nd c or r ec t . Roger .

S a nd B onc e a ga i n exc ha nged s a l ut es . Si r .

Yes . . .

B t ur ned hi s eyes a wa y f r om Seni or Wa r der S. Wha t met hi s eyes wa s t he r ow of c el l door s , no di f f er ent f r om us ua l . Per ha ps t her e wa s s t i l l a hi nt of Chr i s t ma s Ev e l i nger - i ng i n t he a i r . Ther e wa s a pea c ef ul a t mos pher e s ur r oundi ng t he c el l s . The a c ut e c hi l l y s i l enc e l i ke i c e f or mi ng, whi c h ha d been t her e unt i l l a s t week ha d di s a ppea r ed. Bot h S and he wer e awar e of t hi s . The i nmat es s t r ai ni ng t o hear t he f oot s t eps of t he war der doi ng hi s r ounds . They ha d been t hi nki ng t ha t t hi s woul d be t he mor ni ng t ha t Y woul d be l ed of f t o hi s exec ut i on. I t ha d been a s i l enc e pr oduc ed by s uc h a ki nd of a nt i c i pa t i on i n t he onl ooker s . Thi s mor ni ng t her e wa s a c ompl et el y di f f er ent , mor e r el a xed a t mos - pher e. I t a ppea r ed t ha t t he r umour of a n exec ut i on wa s f a l s e. B wa l ked a r ound l ooki ng i nt o t he c el l s one a f t er a not her . The f i r s t c el l wa s empt y . Fr om t he s ec ond c el l c a me a v oi c e of gr eet i ng a s i f t he per s on i ns i de c oul d not wa i t t o s pea k.

Mer r y Chr i s t ma s , Si r .

Y wa s s t a ndi ng wi t h a s mi l e by t he wi ndow.

Mer r y Chr i s t ma s , B r es ponded wi t h a s mi l e.

I nev er t hought t ha t I woul d s t i l l be her e a t Chr i s t ma s . I t i s by t he gr a c e of J es us . Tha ts r i ght . You f i ni s hed your new pa i nt i ng, di dnt you?

Yes . Tha nk you v er y muc h.

Toda y I gues s youl l be get t i ng c a ke.

B s a i d t hi s f a c i ng Seni or Wa r der S. He di dnt wa nt Y t o s ee hi s unea s i nes s . He wa nt ed t o mov e on f r om Ys c el l a s s oon a s pos s i bl e.

Yes .

Be gr a t ef ul f or i t , B s a i d a nd l ef t Ys c el l behi nd hi m.

Cake on Chr i s t mas Day i s a t i me- honour ed cus t om. I t i s a pr es ent t o al l of t he i nmat es f r om t he det ent i on hous e. Thi s yea r a f t er l unc h, s hor t c ake, hot t ea and one ma nda r i n or a nge wer e s uppos ed t o be di s t r i but ed.

B wa l ked a r ound s l owl y l ooki ng i nt o ea c h c el l . Cel l 33 a t t he end wa s a l s o empt y . S s t ood i n f r ont of hi m a nd opened t he door l ea di ng out of t he c or r i dor c ont a i ni ng t he c el l s a nd s a w hi m out i nt o t he c onnec t i ng c or r i dor .

Wi l l i t be c a r r i ed out bef or e t he end of t he yea r ? S s a i d, f ol l owi ng B f r om behi nd.

Seni or Wa r der S pr oba bl y f el t t her e wa s s omet hi ng di f f er ent i n t he beha v i our of t he Chi ef a nd of t he Hea d of t he Tr ea t ment Di v i s i on. The per s on i n c ha r ge of F Wi ng ( t he c ondemned pr i s oner s c el l s ) ha s t he mos t pa i nf ul , gr uel i ng a nd s t r es s f ul of pos t s . Suc c es - s i v e gener a t i ons of s uc h peopl e ha v e a l l exha us t ed t hems el v es bot h ment a l l y a nd phys i - c a l l y . Una bl e t o c ompl et e t hei r t wo- yea r t er m of dut y , t he number of s uc h wa r der s who a r e r ea s s i gned i s not s ma l l . They a r e da ma ged ment a l l y a nd phys i c a l l y by s uper i or s who t hey do not t r us t and ar e s queez ed bet ween s uper i or s and i nmat es , bot h of whom ar e i r r es pons i bl e.

Deep bl a c k ha i r bec omes whi t e.

They s uf f er f r om s t oma c h ul c er s . Depr es s i on s et s i n.

Some ev en a t t empt s ui c i de.

Bef or e c omi ng her e a nd bei ng pr omot ed t o Hea d, B ha d ha d exper i enc e of bei ng i n c ha r ge of a pr i s on f a c t or y a nd c oul dnt r emember how ma ny t i mes he ha d f el t v exed a t t he unr ea s ona bl enes s of hi s s uper i or s . Nobody c oul d under s t a nd Seni or Wa r der Ss a nxi - et y bet t er t ha n hi m.

I t l ooks l i ke i tl l be t he 27

^th

. I wi l l def i ni t el y l et you know. Im c ount i ng on you.

Af t er a l l . . . . The mos t t r oubl i ng t hi ng i s bei ng kept i n t he da r k. I ha v e t o dea l wi t h hi m f a c e- t o- f a c e ev er y da y. We l a ugh a nd c r y t oget her . Ar e you goi ng t o t el l t he per s on whos not her e wha t you know?

S.

B pa t t ed S on t he s houl der a nd t hen l ef t . He di dnt s a y t ha t he under s t ood bec a us e he

di dnt . He under s t ood bet t er t ha n t he Chi ef or t he Hea d of t he Tr ea t ment Di v i s i on. But he pr oba bl y di d not under s t a nd ev en one t ent h of wha t S di d.

Whi l e he wa s doi ng hi s r ounds of t he womens s ec t i on, t he wi r el es s c a me on. The Wa r der i n c ha r ge of t he Womens Sec t i on r epor t ed t o hi m t ha t t he Chi ef s a i d t ha t he ha d t o go up t o t he Tr ea t ment Di v i s i on.

B t ha nked hi m.

B s al ut ed a young f emal e war der . She had gone t o uni ver s i t y wi t h t he dr eam of bec omi ng a t ea c her , but a s s he di dnt ha v e a ny c onnec t i ons ei t her on t he l oc a l boa r d of educ a t i on or i n t he pr ef ec t ur a l a s s embl y , s he ha dnt bec ome a t ea c her i n her homet own but ha d i ns t ea d bec ome a pr i s on of f i c er . Al t hough her dr ea m wa s br oken, wi s hi ng t o ma ke t he bes t us e of t he peda gogy a nd ps yc hol ogy , whi c h s he ha d l ea r ned i n uni v er s i t y , s he was t r yi ng as har d as s he coul d t o r ehabi l i t at e adul t f emal es who had commi t t ed c r i mes .

The f i r s t t i me t ha t t hi s woma n ha d a s ked B a ques t i on wa s when s he a s ked a bout F, a f ema l e c ondemned pr i s oner .

F ha d ha d di f f i c ul t y i n r a i s i ng c a pi t a l f or her c ompa ny s o s he c a r r i ed out a ki dna p- pi ng f or r a ns om. Wi s hi ng t o keep t he l ov e of her bus i nes s pa r t ner who ha d a wi f e a nd chi l d, she ki dnapped a young woman but f ai l ed t o get t he r ansom, whi ch she had dema nded. She s t r a ngl ed t he woma n a f t er s endi ng her t o s l eep wi t h a na r c ot i c . I t wa s a c r i me i n whi c h t he f a c t t ha t t he dea t h wa s pa i nl es s wa s t he s ol e c ons ol a t i on f or t he v i c - t i m a nd her s ur v i v i ng f a mi l y .

Si r . Why di d F r ec ei v e t he dea t h pena l t y? I f s he c a n get t he dea t h pena l t y, I dont t hi nk i t woul d be s t r ange i f hal f of t he i nmat es of t hi s pr i s on wer e al s o condemned t o dea t h, do you?

B di d not know wha t a ns wer t o ma ke but l ooked her i n t he eye a nd s a i d,

I f eel t he s a me wa y a s you. Im ha ppy t o meet t hos e under me who I c a n c ons i der t hi s ma t t er wi t h.

Wha t s he s a i d wa s undoubt edl y r i ght . Fema l e i nma t es who ha d been c a ught wi t h amphet ami nes woul d t hr ow ever yt hi ng away t o get hol d of dr ugs . Ther e ar e s ome women i n pr i s on f or t he c r i me of c hi l d a bus e c a l l ed i nj ur y r es ul t i ng i n dea t h, who di dnt even f eed t hei r babi es mi l k. However t her e ar e many who have l os t t hei r humani t y bec a us e of a mphet a mi nes , t o s a y not hi ng of t hei r ma t er na l i ns t i nc t s .

Ther e a r e onl y f our f ema l e dea t h r ow i nma t es i n t he whol e c ount r y . Wi t h a s i ngl e

wor d f r om t hi s new unbl emi s hed wa r der who ha d begun wor ki ng i n t hi s womens s ec t i on of t he pr i s on wher e one of t he f our r es i ded, B f el t t ha t hi s mi nd ha d been pur i f i ed.

He went i nt o t he of f i c e of t he womens s ec t i on a nd pi c ked up t he r ec ei v er .

Pl ea s e wa i t f or a not her t hi r t y mi nut es . I c a nnot v er y wel l s t op my us ua l r ounds . What do you mean? The Chi efs t one became har s h. Cant you f ol l ow my or der s ?

He wa s pr oba bl y a ngr y .

I f I dont do my wor k a s us ua l , t hi ngs mi ght not go a c c or di ng t o pl a n t he da y a f t er t omor r ow.

I dont t hi nk you need t o be s o c a ut i ous . The Gov er nor i s wa i t i ng. Come i mmedi - a t el y. Ev er yone her e ha t es t hi s . A pr obl ema t i c a t mos pher e i s s pr ea di ng. I f t hi s l ea ks t o t he out s i de, we wi l l be bes i eged by t he medi a. Pl eas e come her e as qui ckl y as pos s i bl e.

O. K. Wi t hout wa i t i ng f or t he Chi efs r epl y , B r epl a c ed t he r ec ei v er . An unpr ec e- dent ed execut i on at t he years end. Mor eover Y was a condemned pr i s oner who was bei ng s uppor t ed by a gr oup of c i t i z ens c ha nt i ng, Down wi t h t he dea t h pena l t y a s wel l a s ot her s i nc l udi ng r el i gi ous gr oups .

I dont know when i t bec a me l i ke t hi s but t he exec ut i on i t s el f i s c a r r i ed out i n s ec r et behi nd t he s c enes , j us t l i ke s t a bbi ng s omeone i n t he ba c k. Ev en i f i t i s a r gued t ha t t he dea t h pena l t y i s a l egi t i ma t e per f or ma nc e of a per s ons dut y c onduc t ed i n s t r i c t s ec r ec y , i t i s a puni s hment , whi c h depr i v es a per s on of hi s l i f e. Ev en i n nor ma l t i mes t he wor k i s not s omet hi ng t ha t a per s on c a n t a l k a bout or f eel pr oud a bout a nd when he s ees how i t i s c a r r i ed out he wi l l f eel c onc er ned t ha t he s eems t o be doi ng s omet hi ng ut t er l y wr ong.

Ea c h pr i s on of f i c er wi l l f eel i n hi s bones t ha t i t i s he a l one who does not wa nt t o t a ke pa r t . When he l ea v es hi s j ob, he ma y a s s er t t hi s or t ha t pr i nc i pl e. Ther ef or e t he s el ec t i on of per s onnel mus t be c a r r i ed out c a r ef ul l y. I f t hi s i s not done a t t he l a s t moment i n s uc h a wa y a s t o a v oi d a r ous i ng s us pi c i on, t her e wi l l be t r oubl e.

Sel ect i on of Per sonnel t o Carry out t he Execut i on.

At t hi s t i me i n t he of f i c e of t he Hea d of t he Tr ea t ment Di v i s i on, t he Chi ef a nd t he

Super vi s or of t he Secur i t y Per s onnel br i ng i n f i l es cont ai ni ng t op- s ecr et per s onnel

r ec or ds a nd s el f - ev a l ua t i on r epor t s whi c h a l l s t a f f ha v e t o wr i t e ev er y yea r a nd t hey s et

a bout s el ec t i ng per s onnel f or t he exec ut i on.

I n s hor t even t hough al l s uch i ns t i t ut i ons ar e cal l ed det ent i on hous es , t hei r s i z es v a r y. Si nc e t her e a r e a v a r i et y of i ns t i t ut i ons , f r om l a r ge ones empl oyi ng i n exc es s of 500 of f i cer s i n t he t r eat ment di vi s i on t o s mal l ones empl oyi ng 100 odd, t he condi t i ons f or s el ec t i on v a r y f r om i ns t i t ut i on t o i ns t i t ut i on. Howev er t he dec i s i on r es t s s t r i c t l y wi t h t he gov er nor of t he i ns t i t ut i on a l one. I f a gov er nor c a r es a bout t he men under hi s c ha r ge he wi l l pr oba bl y gi v e t he i ns t r uc t i on, As f a r a s pos s i bl e a s s i gn t he key of f i c er s wi t h t he r a nk of Hea d or a bov e t o t he exec ut i on. Ther e a r e ot her gov er nor s who ent r us t t he hea d of t he t r ea t ment di v i s i on wi t h f ul l power s s a yi ng, Ma ke s ui t a bl e a r r a ngement s . A gov er - nor who f ea r s mi s t a kes ma y s a y , Lets a r m our s el v es wi t h t hos e who ha v e exper i enc e.

Bes i des det ent i on hous es , whi ch hous e a l ar ge number of deat h r ow i nmat es and c a r r y out ma ny exec ut i ons wi l l ha v e t hei r own c r i t er i a . The t hi ngs whi c h a l l of t hes e det ent i on hous es ha v e i n c ommon i s t ha t t he s t a f f ha v i ng t he r a nk of hea d or a bov e ha v e a l l been a ppoi nt ed a s gov er nment of f i c er s a nd t hos e i n c ha r ge of wa l ki ng t he c ondemned pr i s oner t o t he exec ut i on c ha mber a nd pr es s i ng t he but t ons a r e c hos en i n r ot a t i on f r om gua r ds a nd pr i s on of f i c er s wi t h mor e t ha n 10 yea r s exper i enc e.

Fi r s t of a l l how ma ny s t a f f do we need? Wha t do you t hi nk, Chi ef ?

I wa s wonder i ng whet her i t woul d be O. K. t o ha v e t he s a me number a s l a s t t i me he r epl i ed.

On bei ng di r ec t ed t o do s o by t he Chi ef , t he Super v i s or di s t r i but ed a c opy of a pl a n of t he bui l di ng.

Fi v e of f i c er s t o es c or t t he pr i s oner t o t he exec ut i on c ha mber . Fi v e gua r ds i n t he pa s s a gewa y – one pos t ed a t ea c h s t r a t egi c poi nt .

　　( To be s t a t i oned 10 mi nut es pr i or t o t he es c or t of t he pr i s oner t o i s ol a t e t he ent i r e r out e. )

　　Al l ot ment of wor k r el at ed t o t he execut i on ( car r i ed out by t hos e i n char ge of t he es c or t a nd t hos e gua r di ng t he pa s s a gewa y)

Thr ee peopl e a t t he pl a c e of exec ut i on on t he 1

^st

f l oor ( exc l udi ng t he key of f i c er s ) . Thr ee peopl e t o pus h t he but t ons t o c a r r y out t he exec ut i on.

Two peopl e i n t he under gr ound r oom.

Two gua r ds a t t he ent r a nc e.

Ot her s

One ext r a gua r d a t t he f r ont ga t e.

Ther e wi l l be a t ot a l of t en peopl e a t t he pl a c e of exec ut i on. We key of f i c er s wi l l pr oba bl y number f i v e. I wonder whet her s uc h a l a r ge number i s nec es s a r y .

Abs ol ut el y no mi s t a kes wi l l be a l l owed. Si nc e Ys body i s expec t ed t o be c l a i med, ev en i f t he s i t ua t i on bec omes vi ol ent , we mus t r et a i n cont r ol s o t hat peopl e do not get i nj ur ed. The bes t wa y t o do t hi s i s t o ha v e a l ot of s t a f f on dut y .

We c a nnot ma ke a ny mi s t a ke. Hmm.

The Hea d of t he Tr ea t ment Di v i s i on ha d t hought t ha t i t woul d be bet t er t o c a r r y out t he exec ut i on s moot hl y wi t h a s f ew peopl e a s pos s i bl e but s i nc e he a l s o woul d not per mi t a nyone t o be i nj ur ed, he nodded a ppr ov a l t o t he Chi efs s ugges t i on.

I f we ha v e B s uper v i s e t he es c or t of Y t o t he exec ut i on c ha mber , t ha t mea ns we wi l l need ni ne ot her s , does nt i t ?

I wa s t hi nki ng of c hoos i ng t hem f r om a mong t he gua r ds a nd t hos e of s eni or wa r der r a nk or a bov e.

I f we us e t he gua r ds ea c h t i me, wont t her e be s ome peopl e who a r e pi c ked t i me a nd a ga i n?

I wi l l s ugges t t wo na mes i n ea c h c a s e a nd t hen I t hi nk Id l i ke t o a s k t he Gov er nor f or hi s opi ni on: whet her he c ons i der s i t bet t er t o us e t hos e wi t h exper i enc e or not . The guar ds pr obabl y t hi nk t hat i t i s t hei r j ob and I dont t hi nk t her e woul d be a compl ai nt ev en i f s omeone wa s t ol d t o do t he j ob t wo or t hr ee t i mes i n s uc c es s i on.

Per ha ps your e r i ght .

None of t he t hr ee peopl e a t t he pl a c e of exec ut i on wi l l ha v e ha d a ny exper i enc e. I f B wer e her e now, hi s opi ni on woul d pr oba bl y be I t i s a n unpl ea s a nt j ob whi c h i f a per s on ha s done i t onc e he wi l l not wa nt t o do i t a s ec ond t i me.

The Wi t nesses t o an Execut i on.

Ac c or di ng t o t he l a w ( i . e. c r i mi na l l a w) i t i s onl y s t i pul a t ed t ha t t he pl a c e of exec ut i on be a pena l i ns t i t ut i on. Rega r di ng t hos e per mi t t ed t o c a r r y out t he exec ut i on, not hi ng i s s t i pul a t ed. Si nc e exec ut i ons a r e c a r r i ed out i n pena l i ns t i t ut i ons , i t c omes a bout t ha t t he s t a f f of t he s e pl a c e s do t he j ob. The onl y pe opl e de s i gna t e d by l a w ( t he Cr i mi na l Pr oc e dur e Ac t ) a r e t he wi t nes s es .

A publ i c pr os ec ut or .

A s ec r et a r y of t he publ i c pr os ec ut ors of f i c e.

The gov er nor of t he pena l i ns t i t ut i on or hi s pr oxy .

Why i n t he c a s e of t he gov er nor of t he pena l i ns t i t ut i on i s a pr oxy per mi t t ed? The r ea s on he does nt need t o a t t end hi ms el f i s t ha t no hi gh- r a nki ng gov er nment of f i c i a l i s r equi r ed t o t a ke pa r t i n a n exec ut i on. Si nc e i t i s not s pec i f i ed t ha t t he publ i c pr os ec ut or i n a t t enda nc e be t he t op of t he publ i c pr os ec ut or s of f i c e, a ny pr os ec ut or wi l l do.

The l a w da t es ba c k t o 1907. At t ha t t i me pr i s on gov er nor s ha d a s pec i a l s t a t us . I t wa s a t i me when j udges , publ i c pr os ec ut or s a s wel l a s hi gh- r a nki ng gov er nment of f i c i a l s bec a me pr i s on gov er nor s . I t us ed t o be s a i d t ha t t he c a r r yi ng out of t he puni s hment t o ki l l t he wi c kedes t a mong c r i mi na l s wa s bes t l ef t t o s ubor di na t es .

The s pec i a l s t a t us of t he gov er nor of pena l i ns t i t ut i ons ( bot h pr i s ons a nd det ent i on hous es ) c ont i nued unt i l t he end of t he wa r . The pr es ent per s onnel s t r uc t ur e i n whi c h a nyone c a n bec ome gov er nor a s l ong a s t hey a r e pr i s on of f i c er s da t es f r om t he end of t he wa r i n Augus t 1945. Ra t her t ha n t hi s bei ng a r es ul t of democ r a t i z a t i on, i t woul d be mor e a c c ur a t e t o s a y t ha t t he pos t of gov er nor ha s been downgr a ded. Si nc e t hen t he per s on- nel s t r uct ur e has been one i n whi ch nei t her gover nor s of pr i s ons or det ent i on hous es ev er l ook up t o publ i c pr os ec ut or s hol di ng hi gh of f i c e i n t he Mi ni s t r y of J us t i c e.

Tr ansl at ors Not e

The t ext ha s been t r a ns l a t ed i nt o Br i t i s h Engl i s h t hus f or exa mpl e I ha v e us ed 1

^st

Fl oor i n pl ace of t he equi val ent 2

^nd

Fl oor i n Amer i can Engl i s h or J apanes e and con-

demned pr i s oner i ns t ea d of dea t h r ow i nma t e et c . I n t he pa s t f ew mont hs t her e ha v e

been s ome v er y i nt er es t i ng ev ent s , whi c h ma y i nf l uenc e how t he deba t e a bout J a pa ns

cont i nued us e of capi t al puni s hment devel ops . Br i ef l y t hey have been as f ol l ows : ( 1)

Chi ba Kei ko, a l a wyer a nd out s poken c r i t i c of J a pa ns c ont i nued us e of c a pi t a l puni s hment

bef or e bec omi ng J us t i c e Mi ni s t er i n Ha t oya ma Yuki os gov er nment i n Sept ember 2009,

a f t er 10 mont hs i n of f i c e s i gned her f i r s t a nd onl y dea t h wa r r a nt s f or t wo pr i s oner s a nd

a t t ended t hei r exec ut i ons a t t he Tokyo Det ent i on Hous e on 28

^th

J ul y 2010. I t i s not c l ea r

why s he s i gned t he dea t h wa r r a nt s , a l t hough s he s t a t ed t ha t i t wa s pa r t of her j ob t o do

s o. I n t he pa s t t her e ha v e been s ome J us t i c e Mi ni s t er s who ha v e not s i gned a ny dea t h

war r ant s dur i ng t hei r t enur e and s ome of t hes e have gone on r ecor d t o s ay t hat t hey

woul d dec l i ne t o do s o on mor a l or r el i gi ous gr ounds . The r ea s on s he ga v e f or a t t endi ng

t he exec ut i on wa s t ha t i t wa s her r es pons i bi l i t y t o s ee wi t h her own eyes wha t s he ha d

or der ed a nd t o c onf i r m t ha t i t wa s c a r r i ed our pr oper l y. Thi s s ens e of r es pons i bi l i t y i s i n s t a r k c ont r a s t t o t ha t of one of her pr edec es s or s , Ha t oya ma Kuni o, who pr opos ed s c r a p- pi ng t he need f or t he s i gna t ur e of t he J us t i c e Mi ni s t er a s no one wa nt s t o put hi s s i gna - t ur e on a n exec ut i on or der . ( J a pa n Ti mes 26/9/2008) ( 2) J us t i c e Mi ni s t er Chi ba l os t her s eat i n t he Upper Hous e el ect i on on 11

^th

J ul y 2010. ( 3) Af t er at t endi ng t he execut i ons J us t i c e Mi ni s t er Chi ba a nnounc ed on t he s a me da y t ha t s he woul d ( a ) a l l ow t he medi a t o v i ew a n exec ut i on c ha mber ( whi c h s ubs equent l y oc c ur r ed on 27/8/2010) a nd ( b) s et up a s t udy gr oup on capi t al puni s hment . ( J apan Ti mes 29/7/2010) . I t i s i nt er es t i ng t o s pecul at e on what deal s may have been made bet ween J us t i ce Mi ni s t er Chi ba and t he bur ea uc r a t s i n her Mi ni s t r y i n or der f or t he a bov e ev ent s t o ha v e oc c ur r ed. Anywa y how- ev er t he deba t e pr oc eeds f r om her e I bel i ev e i t i s a pos i t i v e t hi ng f or a ny democ r a t i c gov - er nment and i t s bur eaucr acy t o s t r i ve f or as hi gh a l evel of t r ans par ency as pos s i bl e.

Cl ea r l y t her e i s s t i l l r oom f or gr ea t er opennes s i n bot h t he a dmi ni s t r a t i on of t he dea t h

pena l t y, t he pena l s ys t em a nd i ndeed t he whol e c r i mi na l j us t i c e s ys t em a s i s bor ne out by

t he r ec ent a r r es t of t he el i t e pr os ec ut or , Ma eda Ts unehi ko f or ev i denc e- t a mper i ng, not t o

ment i on t he s ubs equent a t t empt by hi s s uper i or s t o c ov er - up hi s c r i me. Hopef ul l y t hi s

c a s e wi l l f i na l l y mobi l i z e t he pol i t i c a l wi l l r equi r ed t o br i ng a bout l ong- c a l l ed- f or r ef or ms

s uc h a s t he ma nda t i ng of c ompl et e r ec or di ng of a l l i nt er r oga t i ons of s us pec t s .