How Death Row Is Different Around The World

It feels somewhat surprising that Japan, so forward thinking a nation in many respects, still utilises the death penalty. More surprising still, executions are carried out by hanging in all instances, and the continued practise is supported by over 80% of the population.

Execution is used sparingly - generally under 10 per year - and almost exclusively for the most serious of crimes, namely mass murder. The conviction rate in Japan is exceedingly high - over 99% - which likely contributes to public support and makes the appeal process difficult.

Those under arrest in Japan have reduced rights compared with other developed nations - there is no right to legal representation under interrogation, leading to concerns that confessions (key to many convictions) are coerced. It is notable that Japan has the world’s lowest murder rate.

Death row prisoners are kept in solitary confinement and are afforded few privileges, with limited access to entertainment, exercise, and outside visits. The average stay on death row is six years; there are some, like Iwao Hakamada, who spent a world record 46 years waiting for the end, only for his conviction to be overturned.