A Japanese government survey shows about 80 percent of respondents support maintaining the death penalty.
The Cabinet Office conducted the survey on the country's use of capital punishment in November 2019, covering 3,000 people aged 18 or older. 1,572 people responded.
81 percent of the respondents said the nation should continue with the death penalty; 9 percent said capital punishment should be abolished.
Those who approved of using the death penalty were asked why they think so and were allowed to give multiple answers.
57 percent said the emotions of crime victims and their families cannot be healed by other punishments. 54 percent said criminals should pay for their heinous crimes with death.
The respondents were asked whether heinous crimes would increase if the death penalty was abolished. 58 percent said "yes," while 14 percent said "no."
The poll also asked whether the death penalty should be retained if the country introduces life imprisonment.
52 percent said the system should be maintained, while 35 percent said it should be abolished.
Source: 3.nhk.or.jp, Staff, January 18, 2020
Over 80% accept death penalty in Japan as 'inevitable': government poll
TOKYO -- More than 80% accept the death penalty in Japan as "inevitable," according to an opinion poll carried out by the Cabinet Office.
Results announced by the office on Jan. 17 showed that support for Japan's capital punishment system stood at 80.8%, 0.5 points more than in the previous poll in November 2014, while only 9% replied that they support abolishment of the death penalty system.
Support for the system has surpassed 80% in four consecutive polls.
The Ministry of Justice said the results indicate that "the present death penalty system is positively received."
The poll asked respondents to select one of three alternatives: "We should abolish the death penalty," "The death penalty is inevitable," and "No idea / It's impossible to decide."
When those who indicated that they supported the death penalty were asked to pick a reason, 56.6% chose "If it is abolished, victims and their family members cannot be at peace" while 53.6% selected the answer, "Brutal crimes must be atoned for with the person's life." Both percentages were slightly higher than in the previous poll.
Among those who support abolishment of the death penalty, the top reason for their decision, picked by 50.7% of respondents, was "There's no going back if there is an error in the trial."
The poll started in 1956 and this time was the 11th time it has been carried out.
As the voting age in Japan has been lowered to 18, the survey targeted 3,000 men and women aged 18 and over for interviews in November 2019.
A total of 1,572 people responded, for a response rate of 52.4%.
Source:
mainichi.jp, Takakazu Murakami, January 18, 2020
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"One is absolutely sickened, not by the crimes that the wicked have committed,
but by the punishments that the good have inflicted." -- Oscar Wilde
