The dark cloud over Japanese criminal justice : abuse of suspects and forced confessions

The article sets out a number of deep seated concerns about Japan's criminal justice system including the very heavy weight placed on confession evidence in courts; lengthy pre-trial detention up to 23 days; bail as a reward for confession; a suspect's heavily controlled access to persons outside, especially lawyers during pre-trial detention; inadequate judicial review of detention; and insufficient opportunity for the defence to prepare for trial.