Studies on Law and Social Control: The Japanese Way of Justice

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Criminal proceedings that risk life, liberty, or reputation reveal much about a society's character. In Japan, prosecutors hold significant control over these values, reflecting the nature of its justice system. David T. Johnson examines the work of Japanese prosecutors, the social, political, and legal contexts that shape their actions, and the justice delivered as a result. As the first researcher with access to both frontline and backstage prosecutors, Johnson illustrates how they often align with justice imperatives that differ from American practices, which typically emphasize individual case treatment. He highlights their success in obtaining contrite, complete confessions from suspects, but warns that this reliance on confessions can lead to troubling behaviors. Many issues within the system stem from its dependence on admissions of guilt, intertwining the achievements of Japanese criminal justice with its notable defects. Efforts to address these flaws risk undermining the system's successes. This insightful comparative analysis is valuable for students of Japan, criminology, and law and society, encouraging readers to rethink their assumptions about crime prosecution in their own legal systems.