Hardback
Japan and Civil Jury Trials
The Convergence of Forces
9781783479184 Edward Elgar Publishing
As societies around the world increasingly face complex challenges, effective solutions are at a premium. In response, reformers have advanced varied forms of jury systems as means of fostering positive political, economic, and social change. Many countries have recently integrated lay participation into their justice systems to effect fundamental societal change, advance public policymaking, and manifest popular sovereignty. This book showcases Japan’s successes and challenges in recently adopting a quasi-jury system for serious criminal trials, and advocates that the convergence of various forces makes this an ideal time for Japan to expand lay participation into the civil realm.
More Information
Critical Acclaim
Contents
More Information
With effective solutions in both criminal and civil disputes at a premium, reformers have advanced varied forms of jury systems as a means of fostering positive political, economic, and social change. Many countries have recently integrated lay participation into their justice systems, and this book argues that the convergence of current forces makes this an ideal time for Japan to expand lay participation into its civil realm.
This book offers a detailed examination of the historical underpinnings of citizen participation in Japan’s justice system, and analysis of new reforms related to Japan’s adoption of its saibanin seido or quasi-jury “lay judge system” for serious criminal trials in 2009. Its vivid and groundbreaking research includes an exploration of civil jury trials held in Okinawa after World War II, discussion of citizen participation and its potential impact on environmental civil lawsuits after the Fukushima nuclear disaster, and lessons about jury trials based on the experience of the United States and the recent proliferation of citizen involvement in the justice system around the world.
This cutting-edge book project will fascinate legal scholars and students as well as practitioners, political activists, organizations, and policymakers who are interested in citizen participation in Japan and other countries around the world, as it addresses societal harms perpetrated by the government or other entities, judicial reforms, democratic movements, and global justice.
This book offers a detailed examination of the historical underpinnings of citizen participation in Japan’s justice system, and analysis of new reforms related to Japan’s adoption of its saibanin seido or quasi-jury “lay judge system” for serious criminal trials in 2009. Its vivid and groundbreaking research includes an exploration of civil jury trials held in Okinawa after World War II, discussion of citizen participation and its potential impact on environmental civil lawsuits after the Fukushima nuclear disaster, and lessons about jury trials based on the experience of the United States and the recent proliferation of citizen involvement in the justice system around the world.
This cutting-edge book project will fascinate legal scholars and students as well as practitioners, political activists, organizations, and policymakers who are interested in citizen participation in Japan and other countries around the world, as it addresses societal harms perpetrated by the government or other entities, judicial reforms, democratic movements, and global justice.
Critical Acclaim
‘The recent development of lay participation is one of the most significant reforms in Japanese legal history. This volume makes a strong case for its extension to civil juries and beyond. Powerfully argued, and making skillful use of comparative evidence, these three leading scholars have produced a volume that will shape the debate for years to come.’
– Tom Ginsburg, The University of Chicago Law School, US
“The jury system continues to grow in popularity across the globe, and this book takes us inside the emergence of civil juries in Japan. The author provides rich detail but also recognizes the limitations of the current system. Anyone interested in understanding the challenges and promise of adopting new jury systems can learn much from this careful study, which weaves together historical, legal, and social scientific analyses.’
– John Gastil, lead author of The Jury and Democracy
Director, McCourtney Institute for Democracy, Penn State University, US
‘This book is a lucid and engaging account of the development and functioning of Japan’s system of lay participation in criminal trials, but equally, and perhaps more important, the authors provide solid arguments for the expansion of lay participation in Japanese civil disputes, and they outline how such a system might be developed. The book will also be useful for scholars and practitioners in other Asian countries interested in developing lay participation in their legal systems.’
– Neil Vidmar, Duke University School of Law, US
– Tom Ginsburg, The University of Chicago Law School, US
“The jury system continues to grow in popularity across the globe, and this book takes us inside the emergence of civil juries in Japan. The author provides rich detail but also recognizes the limitations of the current system. Anyone interested in understanding the challenges and promise of adopting new jury systems can learn much from this careful study, which weaves together historical, legal, and social scientific analyses.’
– John Gastil, lead author of The Jury and Democracy
Director, McCourtney Institute for Democracy, Penn State University, US
‘This book is a lucid and engaging account of the development and functioning of Japan’s system of lay participation in criminal trials, but equally, and perhaps more important, the authors provide solid arguments for the expansion of lay participation in Japanese civil disputes, and they outline how such a system might be developed. The book will also be useful for scholars and practitioners in other Asian countries interested in developing lay participation in their legal systems.’
– Neil Vidmar, Duke University School of Law, US
Contents
Contents: 1. Welcoming Citizen Participation into Japan’s Justice System 2. The Great Debate: Introducing a Lay Judge System 3. Advancement of the Lay Judge System and Ongoing Challenges 4. Reforms Related to the Lay Judge System 5. Overcoming Challenges Facing the System 6. Expanding Lay Participation into the Civil Realm 7. Citizen Participation in Civil Trials can be Beneficial as Demonstrated by the Experiences of Other Countries 8. Global Proliferation of Lay Participation In Justice Systems 9. Civil Jury Trials in Okinawa – Local Illustration 10. Civil Lay Participation and State-Corporate Liability 11. Final Thoughts and Necessary Preparations Index
