Forced Confessions The Norm In Japan?

Known to have one of the lowest crime rates in the world, Japan also has a murder rate one-tenth that of the United States. That's even more impressive when you consider the numbers of the U.S. with the third-highest global population of 315-million versus Japan's 10th ranked 127-million people.

As well, Japan has a phenomenal 99 per cent conviction rate.

Impressive results, but does Japan owe its impeccable law and order due to its flagrant disregard to law and order?

An example: 
After five days of intense interrogation, a Japanese man says he confessed to a crime just to get them to stop and spent 29 years in jail - and a total of 44 years trying to clear his name.

If I sound vague, its because I am doing so on purpose. However, you can visit a BBC Radio 4 website and listen to the whole story via a 29-minute report (or, if you prefer, a 2:50-news clip).

Reporter Mariko Oi investigates forced confessions of suspects in the Japanese criminal justice system and asks if prolonged questioning and other dubious tactics by police and prosecutors are behind Japan's high conviction rate.

You can listen to that story HERE.

Special thanks to my new friend Vincent for the lead. It's really nice when long-time readers reveal who they are! As a small sampling, some of the readers are lawyers, librarians, curators, military personnel, factory workers, media types, coffee roasters, linguists, salary men, computer nerds and MILFS. And from all over the world, too.

Anyhow... check out the story of Japanese law and order types badgering suspects. And stay out of trouble. I am unsure if it still holds true, but I bet it does... the police in Japan can pick up anyone and hold them indefinitely without laying charges. If anyone knows better or otherwise, let me know. 

Cheers
Andrew Joseph