Future of youth justice in Japan

Suzuki, M ORCiD: 0000-0002-7925-2141Japanese youth justice has experienced several reforms to date. Currently, a radical revision is under consideration: to lower the age of criminal majority from 20 to 18 years. Japanese scholars and practitioners have since been engaged in debates over this proposal. Drawing on existing empirical research on youth offending and juvenile justice, the purpose of this article is to advance a critical analysis on (in)appropriateness of lowering the age of criminal majority. By focusing on its potential consequences, we also discuss what the future of youth justice in Japan would look like. We conclude with offering research implications

Myths of restorative features in the Japanese justice system and society: the role of apology, compensation and confession, and application of reintegrative shaming

Restorative justice (RJ) has experienced rapid growth. Along with its development, myths about RJ have emerged. Although several scholars have challenged these, two myths about restorative features in the Japanese justice system and society—(1) the role of apology, compensation and confession; and (2) the application of reintegrative shaming—arguably remain pervasive. In this paper, we aim to advance a critical analysis of these two ostensibly restorative features of the Japanese justice system and society. We argue that the reality is more nuanced. We conclude by analysing why these myths have emerged and what functions they have performed.Arts, Education & Law Group, School of Criminology and Criminal JusticeFull Tex