Religious Groups In Japan Fret Over Lay Judges

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Religious groups fret over lay judges

Involvement in judging others, death penalty decisions pose problems

Some religious organizations have expressed uncertainty about how to deal with the nation's lay judge system scheduled to begin in May. Under the system, ordinary citizens, along with professional judges, will have to pass judgment on defendants in criminal trials.

Observers point out that religious leaders who seek to help people are unsure about whether they should play a role in bringing criminals to justice. They also note the lay judge system has stirred debate over the stance religions should take over participation in social processes such as the lay judge system, under which lay judges might have to become involved in death sentence decisions.

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