The Dark Secret Behind Japan’s Lack of Crime

[@zedv833]

As a Japanese, I want to say that Japan's crime is not low because the justice system's trying to save face. Judges don't care about "saving face" of prosecutors. That's not why the conviction rate is 99.8%. Judges do go by the notion of "guilty until proven innocent" which is why the conviction rate is so high. Even though the constitution says "innocent until proven guilty," Judges ignore this. This kind of thing happens because the Japanese public considers "being sus" to be criminal. "Being sus" is a social death sentence in Japanese society while it is only a minor criminal sentence, so people think the criminal justice system being "somewhat strict" is no problem. This notion is shared by police officers, prosecutors, and judges, who all act accordingly following these norms. In other words, the thinking is "if you were acting sus, why were you acting sus in the first place and you mind as well have done something criminal" because being sus is already a social death sentence. That probably makes no sense to anyone in the West, but that's how this homogenous country has operated for thousands of years.

[@piergiorgioscollo7163]

Don't you think that the outright rejection of any willingness to criticise the system plays a role in its continuation?

[@niccosalonga9009]

​@piergiorgioscollo7163 but that would be sus.

[@jhanbury1968]

Japan also values a strong family bond, something we lost here an the US unfortunately.

[@davidmmm8]

@@jhanbury1968Yeah… Every man for himself in the USA.

[@niccosalonga9009]

@@jhanbury1968 I think that contributes to many people there not being able to build generational wealth, and those few with such wealth being more able to tilt the playing field in their favor.

[@VB1Koach]

I had a bunkmate when stationed in Japan in 1981 who got arrested right out of his bunk in the barracks. I had heard nothing about him thereafter. When I got stationed in Japan again in '83 I found out he was still in jail. I was allowed to visit him. During the visit, he told me he was arrested and didn't know his charge for six months. Apparently, a service man robbed a pachiko place. He was on his way into the place when the robber was coming out. The robber tripped over him and fell. He helped the robber up and helped him pick up one of the bags filled with money. He wasn't aware of what had happen in the pachiko place. When the JP was called initially, they let him go, but later arrested him. He eventually was charged with abiding the robber. They wanted him to confess, but he wouldn't because he knew he was innocent. We stayed in contact afterbI rotated back to the states. He told me he had been asked to confess 7-10 times daily. He was eventually released after five years, having never seen a courtroom. He said had it not been for his senator from Texas, he'd still be in jail.

[@TENNSUMITSUMA]

he got arrested on a u s base?!

[@VB1Koach]

@TENNSUMITSUMA Yes. The SOFA agreement allowed Japanese Police to arrest on base provided they show proof of their allegation. Not aware of the proof.

[@VesperJester]

How long was his sentence?

[@CinemaSo]

@@VB1Koach the psychological torture he endured every waking minute for FIVE YEARS is unfathomable! Didn’t know Japan was like a terrifying, lawless third world country!! 😱😵

[@Paladin1873]

Sometime here isn't right. We have a SOFA (status of forces agreement) with Japan which covers such issues. The US military would have to agree to his arrest in order for the Japanese authorities to detain him and our government would become involved in the case.

[@Sitti2300]

As someone who had lived in Japan for over decade, in my personal opinion, Japan is great place for vacation but not for living permanently.

[@paulszki]

You gotta be extra ordinarily lucky, as a westener to be living an actual happy live in japan for many years. I also lived there for a year, as a student. Obviously that was (mostly) nice because university will take care of stuff for you. But the moment you actually have to live there... wow. I do not want to do any of that. I'm super outgoing and make friends easily but man I'm not sure if I could build an actual circle of friends again if I went there again. I think even most Japanese aren't really happy anymore. It would be even more of an uphill battle for a non-japanese.

[@fuzzyschwartz]

I agree, if you have to work there, forget it.

[@joelazzLOWLY-PIMP]

@@paulszki Would you possibly be able to elaborate on your experience as a foreign student living in Japan? I am actually leaving this September on a 1 year student exchange to Japan and would be really interested to hear some insights from your time over there.

[@paulszki]

​@@joelazzLOWLY-PIMP Gladly. Do to take into account that I went from 2009 to 2010. I went to Kyoto (Ryukoku Daigaku). The first half year I lived in a student dorm and that was incredibly important for making friends, staying active and being around people. The only japanese students there were "tutors" which in that case meant that they would help you get some administrative stuff sorted out, which was very helpful, but they also couldn't be friends with every single foreign student. So here's the first thing: Your english will improve massively if you're going to be in a student dorm with lots of europeans, americans etc. but it won't really help you at getting better in japanese. That said don't be all "oh, I only want to make japanese friends!" - Do stuff with people, don't stay in your room. You'll eventually get japanese friends but since that can be hard (Japanese students have a lot on their plate and they just don't have much free time.). If your university offers a field trip. Join the fieldtrip. A 3-day trip to some village in the countryside? Do that too. Basically... do everything. Doesn't matter if it's with japanese or other foreigners. Don't isolate yourself. Stay active and make use of any events planned by the university and your fellow students. Make lots of friends and accept that most of your friends will likely be non-japanese anyway. The other half year (when I had to do an internship and couldn't live in the student dorm of my universityy anymore) I lived in a shared private apartment. A lot of students, that became friends, would leave after 6 months and since I wasn't living in the student dorm anymore, I wouldn't really spontaneously be swept up with whatever was going on. If you then also don't go to university anymore and do an internship at whatever place, you might also just not make as many new friends anymore. So for me, the first half year was really important in terms of how my daily life played out in the second half. So if you have an internship lined up (because it's necessary for your degree) and won't be able to live in a student dorm, know that it might be "less fun" than the first half. But obviously everyone is different and I don't even know, if any of this will apply to you. Food: Since the yen is so cheap now, you're probably really lucky/happy. Cooking yourself is likely still cheaper. Find out, where the cheap super markets are, if you're on a budget. A big question, when you arrive will be: Should I get a huge sack of rice? Rice is surprisingly expensive in Japan buying like a 500 gramm package of rice just really isn't a thing or it's just way more expensive than buying in Bulk. If you plan to be in japan for like a year and you like to cook, just get that 10k sack of rice. I know, sounds a bit silly. RIDE THE BIKE IF YOU CAN. Buying a bike is WAY cheaper than paying whatever monthly amount just for that one train route, because japan's train networks are so segregated by companies. It's unlikely that your monthly ticket will be useful for any other trip that getting from your place of living to university. Don't ever follow anybody into a bar, who approached you on a street and is really nice and "knows this really cool bar." - Just don't. You will get fleeced and lose so much money. Don't assume people can't be mentally ill or just plain evil, just because it's japan. They're not super-humans. And besides that, some people might still try and defraud you. Like... don't be paranoid but just be mindful when you meet someone new (popular streets, tourist destinations etc.) that are super friendly with you. If you're unlucky, you might be super lonely in japan (maybe yout student dorm sucks, or maybe you don't live in one to begin with and somehow don't connect to anyone). Don't get duped into joining any of the plenty of sects in japan. You'll not be the only unhappy person. Japan is fertile ground. If you're unhappy, you can actually always just... leave japan, even if it sucks. Better that than to become depressed and having to stick it out for like another 5 months or so. Also, if you have to get your own apartment: japanese landlords don't like foreigners. So if you DO get an apartment, there's often some catch or maybe it's illegal (e.g. you're signing a contract but it's all a bit hush hush, maybe they're evading taxes.) It's important to have this kind of stuff lined up in advance. Best case: the company from your internship will help you organizing a place to stay. Consider getting a phone now, that also works in japan. Do some research on whether it's unavoidable for you to buy a phone in japan and what the plans are. A lot of plans are for two years. Which is going to be a problem. Canceling the plan early can possibly come with hefty fees. (again, I went many years ago, a lot of this might have changed.) BANK ACCOUNT: get a card that works in japan. Something without any transactional fees. You don't want to have to pay a couple thousand yen every time you withdraw cash for the month or something. Do research, open a new bank account in your own country if you have to, just so you can get that international card. Seriously, go do some google/chatgpt research on that and find out what will work best. A paypal account also probably doesn't hurt. any more questions. I'm here.

[@paulszki]

@@joelazzLOWLY-PIMP Gladly. Do to take into account that I went from 2009 to 2010. I went to Kyoto (Ryukoku Daigaku). The first half year I lived in a student dorm and that was incredibly important for making friends, staying active and being around people. The only japanese students there were "tutors" which in that case meant that they would help you get some administrative stuff sorted out, which was very helpful, but they also couldn't be friends with every single foreign student. So here's the first thing: Your english will improve massively if you're going to be in a student dorm with lots of europeans, americans etc. but it won't really help you at getting better in japanese. That said don't be all "oh, I only want to make japanese friends!" - Do stuff with people, don't stay in your room. You'll eventually get japanese friends but since that can be hard (Japanese students have a lot on their plate and they just don't have much free time.). If your university offers a field trip. Join the fieldtrip. A 3-day trip to some village in the countryside? Do that too. Basically... do everything. Doesn't matter if it's with japanese or other foreigners. Don't isolate yourself. Stay active and make use of any events planned by the university and your fellow students. Make lots of friends and accept that most of your friends will likely be non-japanese anyway.

[@JxH]

In the USA, it's called a "Plea Deal"; which is how 95%+ of the cases are dealt with. They offer you a perfectly fair and open trial, but facing 400 years. Or, "today's discount", enter a guilty plea and be incarcerated for only 12 years (out in 4-6 years). It's not as bad as Japan's system, but it's not really anything that could be described as 'ideal'. Worst aspect is that there are apparently some prosecutors don't really care about the truth, more concerned about the optics and politics of being reelected.

[@ms.annthrope415]

Nothing is ever ideal. But please deals help to move cases to conclusion and keep the system functioning. If every case goes to trial, we won't have enough prosecutors, not enough public defenders, or enough judges, and certainly not enough potential jurors in the community to hear every case.

[@ms.annthrope415]

Yes, there are prosecutors who are more.concerned about optics and politics. GIlil Garcetti, LA County DA, of OJ Aimpson fame comes to mind. Mike LaFong thr DA who prosecuted th3 Duke University lacrosse players for rspe even though th3 evidence pointed to their innocence all because the complaining party was a black woman. Lafong was later disbarred.

[@rongill1234]

never forget when i was attacked by someone and i defended myself someone called the police and when they showed up arrested me..... when i asked why i was arrested when i was attacked first i was asked did it hurt and then they arrested the other guy.... then after being in a holding tank and having them try to get me to plea when i defended myself i went for over a year going to court dates to just be told they weren't ready yet and when my lawyer finally asked judge about the length of time wasted when they don't have any evidence cops showed up to the person that called police and that person told them they would be happy to testify that i defended myself and city went nevermind we don't want you after all i was finally free after i went again and they still were not ready.... judge actually got mad because the majority of the people there the city didn't have anything on just wanted to waste peoples time and money but they tried to give me plea deals many times lol

[@fordhouse8b]

Plea bargaining should be outlawed. Prosecutors should simply ALWAYS be required to decide what is the appropriate charge, and then have to try it in court, unless the person charged pleads guilty.

[@fordhouse8b]

@@ms.annthrope415 Then we need to streamline the judicial process. As of now, every case that is plea bargained is basically a miscarriage of justice. EVERY time the judicial system accepts an untruth as the basis for a sentence, then the system is corrupted. Establishing truth should always be one of the primary goals of any judicial process, and without truth there is no justice. Sending a man to prison for manslaughter when he has not committed an act that meets the legal definition of that crime is obscene. If he as committed first degree murder, and the prosecutor can prove that, this is the crime that the person should be punished for. Accurate figures are difficult to come by, but estimates I have seen indicate that about 4% of state and local expenses are for police, 2% on prisons, and only 1% on courts. We should be able to spend as much money on court proceedings as we do on police and prisons.

[@bababababababa6124]

I love Japan but that country needs to stop being idolised by western media, it isn’t the utopia you think it is. Same goes for Korea and Taiwan

[@MegaGFreak]

Same for Scandinavian countries. Yeah they do a lot of things right, but there is no perfect country.

[@excripto1]

Not true about South Korea. Everybody who has been there says it’s the true utopia and it is exactly like how it is portrayed in the K-dramas.

[@ZawTunAung-ng4ww]

@@excripto1 Nobody says that. With its long working hours and high cost of living, not to mention racism against other Asians and non white immigrants. if you are not good looking there nobody cares abt u.

[@fajaradi1223]

​@@deepestsleeep Mostly south east asian young girls. It's kinda hilarious tho. Especially after finding out how some Koreans thinks about them.

[@r.s.4554]

If my memory is correct, indictment rate is lower than other western societies due to prosecutors favoring winnable cases. Arrests > indictments > convictions. If there is a gap between number of arrests and number of indictment, that could explain an aspect of why Japan has such high conviction rates. Case in point: Johnny Somali. He was arrested in Japan but where is he now? (Hopefully NOT in Japan; we have no necessity for the man)

[@ch44227]

I don't how you can call Japan safe, if law enforcement doesn't care about finding the true criminal.

[@alexferrana3979]

And Yakuza there is thriving

[@davidgonzalez-herrera2980]

I thought there power had been diminished?

[@14Penfold88]

The cops can’t help it. They all look alike

[@SplendidNinja]

You go up the chain of command high enough and you realize they all really dont

[@rwalker0130]

ever consider that people call a country "safe" by using crime stats?

[@CropCircleSystems]

“Tis better that nine guilty men go free than one innocent man suffer, for if innocence were to be lost as a shield, then it would be the end of the very society we endeavor to protect.”

[@csachen3823]

An important point is missing: only charged cases affect the conviction rate. The conviction rate doesn't tell you how many arrested suspects are dismissed without being charged.

[@r.s.4554]

If my memory is correct, the indictment rate is lower than that of most western society due to prosecutors favoring sure-win cases.

[@ramadhanisme7]

What do you mean? So most of the arrest are dismissed even if the suspect is actually guilty?

[@v.d.2738]

This is same as countries like Canada. I'm shocked these sloppy vids still keep saying virtual misinfo like this without any shame, besides discriminatory stereotypes. U've never seen Canada pointed out for it.

[@v.d.2738]

​@@r.s.4554 The indictment rate is about 50% iirc.

[@coleslow5519]

@@v.d.2738 Agree with canada, and actually US is not so different especially with hate crimes. Hate crimes committed by black has been under reported, or not reported as such. It's basically non existent in canada. lol

[@EinsamPibroch278]

Lesson in Japan: don't even dare draw attention to yourself or your Life will be ruined.

[@aminububa851]

Why is that? Is it the effect of the nukes on people's brain in WW2? We need to make a study.

[@ImRezaF]

​@@aminububa851 It's called East Asian culture, mate.

[@bullettime1116]

​@aminububa851 it's east asian culture, not being a nail sticking out, and conforming to normalcy is the norm there, individualism isn't as important there as the west

[@duckymomo7935]

That is why Japanese are very avoidance to each other especially foreigners

[@SniperPIKACHU]

@@ImRezaF as an East Asian, I found this bs. I don't care about faces. I care about efficiency and accuracy.

[@davidtherwhanger6795]

I don't think their legal system has that much to do with the low crime rate. Other countries with even more draconian methods have higher crime rates. I think it has much more to do with the culture of Japan. Especially the Public Face stuff. A Japanese person who really is all in for this Public Face thing won't want to do anything that would bring shame to that.

[@silverhawkscape2677]

It helps they pull some statistics technicality as well.

[@toddsmith1617]

Still?

[@paul_fredrick]

I agree: it's the culture. And of course, their culture is strong because it hasn't been watered-down by other cultures. Japan doesn't have the self-destructive multiculturalism that Europe has fallen for. This is exceptional and commendable for a relatively free country like Japan.

[@DJcyberslash]

​@@paul_fredrickyou do realize the richest country on earth is literally the United States which is very diverse?

[@bernardoj54]

​@@paul_fredrickyou're just a delusional and brainwashed poor guy

[@MarcDonis]

Why even have judges? Seems all they do is rubber stamp convictions.

[@HerbertPollard]

Somebody got to sign the paperwork.

[@igorthelight]

"You're guilty. Next!"

[@ronlugbill1400]

I am a retired attorney from the US. In many areas of the US, this description is not that different. Everyone charged is presumed to be guilty. Lots of people are held hostage pending trial by being held in jail and coerced into taking plea deals to get out. 99%of cases are resolved by plea deals. If you take your case to trial, you will likely be found guilty. You are arraigned before a judge within 72 hours though. Your lawyer probably won’t see you before your court date.

[@MegaGeorge1948]

Wouldn't that court date be for a hearing first?

[@LegendStormcrow]

Yes, but the Japanese goes so much further than the US.

[@InexpiateShade]

@@ronlugbill1400 Having to hear a justice system proclaim to operate on a basis of “innocent until proven guilty” and a Due Process Clause stating any conviction of an individual requires proof beyond a reasonable doubt with the burden of proof being on the prosecutor, is insulting. It’s absurd attempting to purport integrity in those ethics when the scales of justice find themselves exchanging balances in weight towards judgment in now it’s “not what you can prove” but instead “who can make the better case”. No system of justice will ever be created by mankind to be infallibly just, regardless in our level of aspirations to do, but that is a most ideal hypothesis and the reality we have wrought into existence for ourselves is shameful. In my eyes at least

[@walterbrownstone8017]

Are you willing to admit that the lawyers union has complete control over all government services and bank accounts? Nope. There's the problem right there. Selling the law can only result in widespread exploitation and misery.

[@bryanho6830]

What are you talking about?? This country is so soft on crime and had become lawless. We need to protect noral citizens and not criminals. Why do you think we have so many criminals repeating the same crime over and over again??? We are soft.

[@theprofessional155]

What a lot of western people do not understand is the Ace attorney games are capcom making fun of how broken the Japanese legal system is

[@Zertemis]

Crazy to find you here. I'm getting aware that most people I watch I find them on another channel. Also ty for your gta5 guides. 😂

[@georgebrown1543]

I was told that in Japan, the people are polite, but not friendly. I live in Portland now and it's the same way here.

[@Jiraiyashouse666]

As a ex-Portland resident of 40 years, you are one of the few that see thru its veil of woke acceptance. It truly is the other word they use there and not acceptance. It's actually "Tolerance ", which they think is evolved. When you "tolerate " things you really don't accept you eventually become neurotic, insincere and suspicious... that's the vibe I feel in Portland.

[@duckymomo7935]

The people in Japan will act friendly ONLY if they need to meaningfully that they will try to avoid contacting you if they can unless you either approach them or you know each other In Korea, they don’t even acknowledge that you even exist unless you approach them

[@rickmarsh8379]

I will start off by saying that it is difficult to make an assumption about all Japanese. However, after a long time in the country, I can honestly say that it is quite difficult to develop actual friendships here. Most of the Japanese friends I have made have only been out of convenience or benefit for them. So, while I thought we were forming friendships that would last, a lot of them saw a friendship with me as only being necessary until it wasn't. Do not confuse this with being an adult and having other responsibilities. I have non-Japanese friends who I still meet or stay in contact with in Japan despite the distance or circumstances in our lives. Japanese, with the exception of the elderly, our becoming more and more isolationists. They will often say that they are introverts, but it is not the case as they will actively meet friends from preschool that they have kept in touch with out of social obligation. So, the truth is that you are no longer serving a purpose for them and thus you are expendable. Sure, you will get that message out of nowhere from a Japanese friend, but wait long enough and you will find the reason they reached out to you. It is not to reconnect or catch up...they will do that of course...but it is because they need you to do something for them but are just going through the motions necessary to get to that goal. I do not think I am the first to find this to be true as some opinion pieces in newspapers from years ago mentioned the same thing and I scoffed at them. I was naive. When I look back at my Japanese friendships, it was always the English factor. They needed to pass a class in university, they wanted resume help, they got back from some random country and were worried about losing their ability to speak English, they wanted to meet other non-japanese or impress their actual friends by showing up with some oaf, or they needed translation work that they themselves couldn't do and had no trouble asking their friend to look over. Their politeness is superficial. They aren't really polite the moment no one is watching and they can get away with saying some truly rude stuff. And, I would argue that the men are worse than the women. I enjoy my life, but I have slowly restricted who I actually interact with outside of certain situations until I am fully aware of their intentions. Unfortunately, the ones that have no need for me are friendly and seem genuine, but they respond the least and will eventually fade out of your life almost as fast as they entered.

[@heron6462]

@@rickmarsh8379 True. With a few refreshing exceptions, all social life in Japan follows an office politics model. As a dissident Japanese friend once told me, the principle is 'Use and throw away.'

[@utzfedericohoeser6809]

@georgebrown1543 Spot on! I wish more people would understand the difference between the two notions.

[@ImmmaI]

This reminds me of how the justice system for witches in the states and europe worked

[@peterc4082]

It actually didn't work like that. If you do actual research on the Inquisition you'll find that it's what we base our modern Western justice system on. But you don't have to go to witches and stuff, you can merely look at the 20th century- as in Soviet occupied Eastern European states, Germany in the 1930s-40s and even Russia today. So it's no reason to say 'europe' with witches when more contemporaneous examples exist.

[@igorthelight]

Exactly! Looks like it didn't changed since were Shoguns were in power

[@Mr-Spork]

I've lived in Tokyo for over 20 years. Got arrested once (for a fight with a Japanese geezer who instigated the whole thing). However, several points put me at an advantage: 1. I'm a prof at a well-known, respected university; 2. There were witnesses (who the police had questioned); 3. I had no issues with the police in the past; 4. (most importantly) the other guy was drunk & I was completely sober - which was probably the biggest advantage I had (they gave both of us breathalizer tests). I had also admitted my guilt (punching him in the face a few times) & told the police I would apologize to the man (moron), for not saving his face but cracking it with my fist. I was not charged & was released, BUT was told that my name was on record so if I committed any future transgressions, I would not get off. So I can't say that I was treated unfairly, but I definitely got away with that one. I'm finally leaving Japan in a few months. Can't wait to get out.

[@robotnikkkk001]

....AND YOU'VE ACTUALLY PLAYED PERSONA5,RIGHT?? ......ABOUT IF THIS A KINDA "FAIRYTALE" ,WHAT REALITY ACTUALLY is

[@johnadams9106]

I lived in saitama prefecture for almost a decade,l left Japan in 1997 and am not going back for good,residing in Japan is something else

[@rafae5902]

Why you leaving because of this incident?

[@wkdgytjr88]

​@@rafae5902because he spent one chance.

[@Sho7_]

You should know this if you've lived in Japan for 20 years. You absolutely cannot fight in Japan, even if the other person starts it. LIKE JUST DON'T. In Japan the first person to punch loses because of the legal repercussions and you happen to be the person who got physical. This is especially true when you are a foreigner (police like to take the Japanese person's side) either because of language miscommunication or prejudice.

[@andrewb8548]

It was explained to me like this... The Police are expected to ignore 90% of the crime they witness (they arrest the most egregious offenders). The Prosecutor then is expected to ignore 90% of the cases brought by the Police (the most airtight paperwork etc). Then the 1 of 100 is punished for everyone.

[@Graeme_Lastname]

Legality and justice are not synonyms, anywhere.

[@moneykingmm9298]

.……..

[@igorbednarski8048]

Just because Japan is safe doesn't mean it's because of this system. There's plenty of countries with a comparably low crime rate without such a pathological legal system. The US also has the highest incarceration rate in the world and a very high crime tate. Russian legal system is on paper more lenient than the Japanese one, but in practice it's not that different due to corruption and it doesn't seem to be helping either. There are many contributing factors to whether a country is safe or not, I would say that Japan is safe not because of, but DESPITE its legal system.

[@velvetcroc9827]

The US has a high crime rate because it's so racially and culturally heterogenous.

[@duckymomo7935]

The US is very safe in white areas

[@SusCalvin]

Russia has a few charges they can apply flexibly. Like hooliganism. Pussy Riot was jailed for hooliganism.

[@hgu123454321]

I had no idea Phoenix Wright handled 0.2% of all cases in Japan. The guy is a lot busier than the games make him appear.

[@Stro2101]

I get the feeling that Ace Attorney is just a criticism of the real legal system in Japan, since it is pretty bad.

[@adzi6164]

I've heard that this is exactly the case

[@nicholasmorgan7609]

Ace Attourney, come for the humor, stay for the scathing critique of Japan's "justice" system

[@SuigaRou]

​@@Stro2101 Your feeling is on the mark. I recall a pretty good article from a number of years ago that did a pretty good job covering just how much of the game was a satirical take on the Japanese justice system. Gumshoe, for example, is kind of portrayed as a bumbling fool because of the low public opinion of the police force at the time the game was made.

[@duckymomo7935]

Japan has a 98% conviction rate

[@nooneshome8746]

So that is why in the anime detective Conan the suspect always confess at the end

[@robotnikkkk001]

..OR WHY PEESONA5 DOES EXIST AT 1ST PLACE,THO ......WITH A DESCRIPTION ABOUT "THAT'S NOT DIFFERENT FROM LIVING IN A PALACE" THING...

[@neltymind]

Calling a country "safe" in which you can be arrested indeifnetely without any charges by every cop who feels like it, is pretty weird to say the least.

[@ChineduOpara]

It's "safe" not "just".

[@lachlanraidal5100]

​@@ChineduOpara no, it still isn't safe. One bad cop on a power trip could have your life destroyed for no reason - that's nightmare fuel!

[@HACKER-ct6hd]

@@ChineduOpara you when you run into a racist cop who hates foreigners:

[@Wicked_Knight]

@@lachlanraidal5100 do you have to worry about being stabbed or shot? Compared to most other countries, in Japan no you don't.

[@YAHGOA]

What about being kidnapped for 20 days lol

[@tk-fu7ow]

I’m a Japanese law school student. While it’s true there are issues with Japan’s hostage justice system, some parts of this video are inaccurate. In Japan, people who are arrested are informed of their right to remain silent and can immediately call a lawyer, either privately or at the counry’s expense. So it’s not like they are detained without any chance to meet a lawyer. Also, the 99.8% conviction rate is because prosecutors only indict when they’re sure they can win. In reality, the indictment rate is less than half of all the cases.

[@mmotsenbocker]

thank you tk-fu7ow, another point which is overlooked is that if the district attorney decides to try you and loses his case, then you can sue for his mistake (and he loses his job). Thus it is rare to try a case unless he is sure of a win.

[@51_cent]

Hey Dom, thanks for shedding light on this topic. I had no idea Japan's legal system operated like this-I always assumed it was more Westernized. Knowing that you can be arrested without immediate charges and that the conviction rate is so high is eye-opening. It definitely makes me rethink any plans to visit without knowing the laws inside out. Thanks for taking the time to make this video and educate us on this important issue. Your efforts are appreciated!

[@IncrediGeorge]

So the Yakuza is a philanthropic organization now is it

[@mightyone3737]

Historically it was in part, the Yakuza are not the mafia, just like the ninja clans were in part helping the majority vs an incredibly oppressive social order.

[@90taetaeya]

if u think Japan is bad，wait till u hear about the Malaysian legal system

[@corgansow6173]

Care to elaborate?

[@danielch6662]

@@corgansow6173 I disagree with 90taetaeya. Malaysia's legal system is just bad in the normal way. Innocent people get convicted. Guilty people gets off. By corruption. By hiring smart lawyers who game the system. Etc. The normal way everybody is familiar with. Some countries have it worse, some have it less so. But they are good and bad in the same way. it's just a question of degrees. _Guilty until proven innocent_ isn't Japan. It is France. The continental system is different from those that derived from Britain, which includes the UK, USA, Australia, practically all countries that used to be part of the British Empire. Japan takes it one step further than France. As the video says, everybody arrested is already considered guilty. You need to persuade the cops to NOT arrest you in the first place. Think of it like a Judge Dredd situation. They investigate the crime, determines who is guilty, and arrest that person. If you get to that stage, it's difficult to prove you are not guilty. On the plus side, Japanese cops do try to do their job as well as they can, and not arrest the innocent. In the US, they don't care so much. They'll just let the courts work it out. So they do not lose any sleep over arresting people who are not guilty. _You're innocent? Yeah, OK, prove it in court later. Get a lawyer. If you can't afford one, you'll even get a PD for free._ Do more people get railroaded in Japan than in the US? Who knows. There's no proper study. And a proper study would be hard to even formulate. How do we KNOW if somebody is really innocent or not, and substitute our decision for the courts/cops.

[@corgansow6173]

@@danielch6662 that's why I wanted the poster to elaborate instead of maybe sprouting something he/she heard online without research. Malaysia's legal system isn't perfect but it's no worse than most countries.

[@paulszki]

Whataboutism. This video is about people having illusions about japan being this spotless perfect country. Nobody goes to Malaysia thinking it's some kind of utopia.

[@alfredpaquin3563]

Don't get caught with drugs there!

[@gandalfstormcrow8439]

No, it's cultural. I remember watching tsunami victims. It looked like the crowd was looting. No, everyone was putting items BACK INTO THE STORES

[@TheShotgunShovel]

"There's no crime in Japan because the moment someone commits one, it's basically a death sentence." Yup. It lines up with everything else I've seen and heard.

[@mariembuenaventura1278]

Its not as thorough as Detective Conan? My childhood is ruined..

[@fajaradi1223]

How about Ace attorney? They're real, right? Right? Right ...

[@gargoyle7863]

Did Detective Conan ever catch the wrong guy?! ... no, of course not. Can't be what mustn't be.

[@nooneshome8746]

The suspect always confess in the end

[@ankokunokayoubi]

Interestingly, the series kind of mocking Japanese police/justice system as being incompetent throughout the show (aside from the culprits being kinda smart or try to outsmart the detectives and Conan being the genius always end up solving the crime). Plus, the 'guilty before proven innocent' stuff is obvious when a dead body gets found in the episode, Conan or Kogoro always say that none should leave the scene. I watched the series and really gets bored since they try to milk the show more and more by fillers recently 😂

[@moneykingmm9298]

.…….

[@CropCircleSystems]

In many common law countries it is not permissible for a plea bargain to have more than 33.3% reduction of penalty from the maximum allowable sentence for the alleged crime. That ensures the right to confront one’s accuser and defend oneself cannot simply be threatened or bargained away. As an American who faced up to 48 years of prison for a crime i didn’t commit i took a plea bargain to spend 29 days in jail instead along with a year probation. Funny i had to sign a document along with my plea of “guilt” that said i hadn’t been threatened with anything detrimental (which anyone imaginable would immediately reason includes unjust incarceration) or promised anything beneficial (expressly including “leniency”). The public defender also advised me prior that my case was “unwinnable” due to my gender and the nature of the accusation, despite the non existence of any material evidence, before i spent $75,000 to get the “deal” with a well connected lawyer who admittedly is a “horse trader” whose profession does not include taking justice to trial. She informed me i was a “donkey” in such negotiations due to the particularly heinous accusation against me (baseless or not) along with my ability or lack thereof to pay my way out of the predicament. Her associate asked $100k retainer to prepare for trial and estimated 200k to 250k total with no assurance of limit and dubious assurance of outcome. His nickels worth of free advice was don’t waste my money and that my fate was sealed when the accusation was made! Of course the tone going into that exchange was that I could not afford that sort of defense in the first place and his associate was already well into negotiating my plea after getting two thirds of my payment by that point.

[@scotthart7294]

Name the person who accused you. She needs to pay for that and until more women start to pay for these lies the lies will continue. Name her.

[@vishipsherrah]

Being wrongly send to jail for years is worse that having your bike stolen. And there is nothing you can do to avoid being arrested. At some point, having strict laws becomes worse than having crime

[@chevy4x466]

I would prefer the Japanese brand of justice

[@jakepullman4914]

​@@chevy4x466 Until you were falsely arrested. It's easy to be in favor of an awful thing that doesn't affect you.

[@kingkazuma2239]

​@@chevy4x466ok then go live there and tell us how you like it

[@chevy4x466]

@@kingkazuma2239 don’t act like an entitled idiot, u won’t have a problem. U will be less likely to encounter criminals that want to victimize u. Now, if u enjoy victimizing others, Japan won’t be ur cup of tea. Stick to American cities.

[@poladelarosa8399]

Had to escape this interesting subject at [0:49] because of the tortuous unrelenting background sound loop. STOP IT!!. please.

[@craigwilliamsSeekTheLord]

A friend once asked me why I didn’t live in Japan with my beautiful bride. This is just one of many reasons. By the way, we recently celebrated our 28th wedding anniversary! I love my bride, but we will never live in Japan.

[@scronx]

That is absolutely bizarre. Thanks for these revelations.

[@Zulu369]

Well, punishment has not been proven to be an effective deterrent for crime anyway. This video is missing the point. It is the Japanese education system and cultural values that explain its low crime rate.

[@clivematthews95]

I love Japan, but I don’t really believe it’s a democracy.

[@briangulley6027]

No country has a democracy, the rich and powerful are the "king" makers. Look at the US right now the democrats threw out Biden because the rich and powerful knew he would lose, meaning they would lose. The republicans are just as bad, the big money donors decide who the king will be. Look at France's last election results, the conservatives got the most votes but didn't win due to politicians gaming the system.

[@ObamaoZedong]

It's run by the Yakuza and the illegal whaling fleet.

[@byronryan4216]

😮

[@afterschok6627]

It's not.

[@LazyRecap32]

“I don’t believe it’s a democracy” 😂 What democratic country actually is one where people didn’t exploit and abuse the ideal intend of the ideology. They all technically are but based on the democracy index you can get an impression on how good each countries democracy is functioning..Japan is ranked 20-25ish and the US around ~30 as deficient democracy so there is a lot of room for improvement each country should do but don’t. Almost no democracy feels like one but I guess the label democracy is a “good enough for me” on peoples minds

[@kshiray]

So Japan is Cardassia from Star Trek

[@ChineduOpara]

Yeah but with smoother foreheads

[@LaikaLycanthrope]

You think they made Cardassians up out of nowhere? Everything is based on something.

[@moneykingmm9298]

.…

[@donparnell309]

The Klingon Empire was based on WWII Japan. Cardassia was based on the Soviet Union.

[@ChineduOpara]

@@donparnell309 And the Ferengi were based on...? (I'm not gonna say it, but maybe someone else will, jajaja)

[@ThePallidor]

This is bull. Very few people in Japan are even aware of how the legal system is; they avoid crime because any impulse in that direction at all just never leads anywhere good. All your support and everything yoiu relied on so far to live is pretty much immediately gone if you even get involved with any suspicion of a crime or really anything else shade. The actual prison sentence is trivial in comparison. Also the overall health and harmony of the society is high and people are always dreading being a nuisance to others in even the smallest way.

[@KRW628]

If the legal system in Japan is doing all of this, then how has the Yazuka existed for more than 300 years?

[@Enclave_Communications_Officer]

They are on government leash and always have been

[@argusy3866]

Ever heard about the word "corruption"? Old as society itself.

[@silverhawkscape2677]

They work hand in hand.

[@DeAthWaGer]

Look into the Pachinko or other "gambling" industries. They're all owned by the Yakuza. Both the legal and mafia sectors operate similarly.

[@DragoonCenten]

Obviously the cops are in the gangster's pocket. Don't be naive.

[@someguy861]

Removing "Visit Japan" from bucket list. Thank you for the video.

[@chillstorm2341]

What crimes you boutta be committing my man. (I'm kidding, this system is pretty brutal, ngl)

[@tomodomo1000]

I've removed the US because they are on the other side of the spectrum. No respect for the law.

[@cachondorider]

this kinda explains the Detective shows I watch base on Japan.

[@robotnikkkk001]

...AND WHATS YOUR HONEST OPINION ABOUT PERSONA5,THO?? .......

[@VolcyThoughts]

So all this happens just because people don’t wanna be embarrassed?? Jesus tap dancin Christ

[@LeodiAstoriaXIII]

Saving face culture is HUGE in East Asian countries like Japan, China and Korea.

[@VolcyThoughts]

@@LeodiAstoriaXIII no wonder Chozen wanted to kill Daniel-san

[@sboinkthelegday3892]

And what is the reason that USA has 20% of all the world's prisoners? Naturally evil population, or that prosecutors are entirely gormless by prosecuting 10x the same ratio? Or just the fact that you will cycle out anyone you can get, to fill up he for-profit labor camps that they are? Lot sof room to let people off on good behavior when there's a secure supply of more coming up.

[@weiSane]

That sepuku mentality never really left them

[@AddictedGamer-tt6xn]

Dumbasses​@@LeodiAstoriaXIII

[@billwhite1603]

Some of Japan's low crime is the Monoethnicity of the country. Other countries, like some in the EU, that previously were mostly monocultural and monoethnicity with low crime, have seen their crime rates increase with citizens from other EU states moving there, and large increases in immigration from very differently polarized cultures.

[@richatlarge462]

There are countries with a high crime rate and close to mono ethnicity - in Africa.

[@SusCalvin]

Japan is pretty wealthy, even after a downturn. The other side is to simply not report crimes that are embarassing or would make them lose face. Same if you are homeless, you should hide it.

[@vmoses1979]

​@@richatlarge462Yeah you just don't know much about Africa. Practically every country south of the sahara had artificial borders drawn up by the colonizers and they are a jumble of ethnicities and languages. Monoethnic is the norm in East Asia and mainland Europe till the recent immigration wave.

[@richatlarge462]

@@vmoses1979 I guess those new African nations did not appreciate that gift of diversity, the greatest strength of any nation.

[@vmoses1979]

@@richatlarge462 No sweetheart - you don't get it but then your type is not known for high IQ.

[@gta4everrr]

This is similar to plea bargaining, coupled with mandatory minimum sentences, works in the US. Less than 5% of criminal cases actually go to trial because prosecutors will threaten people with sentences 3 to 4 times worse than the offer they give to plead guilty and forgo a trial.

[@ukyorulz]

I have heard these stories before which is why I was surprised about how Johnny Somali was freed.

[@ThorsMartell]

Same thing in Germany, especially Bavaria: You can be held in custody without prosecution for 6 months, if the prosecutor says the investigations are difficult, they can extend to 5 years. The accusitions can be ridicules to any extend, once you have been arrested they will always find you guilty, so they dont need to admit locking up someone innocient. It is almost ridiculously easy to construct evidence against someone and have that person prosecuted if you want to take revenge for anything. The only reason why the system works is because the general popules doesnt know about it and wont believe it until they have experienced themselves.

[@stewartmillen7708]

If many innocent people are in fact being held captive by Japan's legal system, then Japan does NOT have an actual low crime rate. It's just that government crimes are as large or larger than privately committed crimes.

[@vmoses1979]

A low crime is about the incidence of crimes not about the process of the justice system.

[@stewartmillen7708]

@@vmoses1979 Only if you don't think that wrongful imprisonment is a crime. Japan has about 40,000 people in its penal system. The last data I've seen for the number of crimes committed is 915,000 (2017). If you assume that, say, one quarter of those 40,000 is innocent and has been railroaded into confessing to a crime they did not commit, then correcting for the number of days (most crimes are a one-day thing, while imprisonment is a many-day experience): 10,000 x 365 = 365,000 Adding that to the 915,000 mean you've actually increased Japan's real crime rate by 25 %. If the number of wrongfully incarcerated is higher, then that 'real crime rate', factoring judicial crime, would go even higher.

[@edofarido3175]

To normal non problematic tourist, if you dont deliberately ignorant about common law or conduct etc you wont need to worry to be arrested randomly. They do shokushitsu(random stop and questioning) more to foreigners but it's not that serious.

[@arkhe1n107]

Imagine having your life unjustly ruined because someone didn't want to be mildly inconvenienced.

[@anonymousdogg1559]

The US should make crime punishment harsher. Not Japan insane but definitely needs to make it harder on women as I’ve seen many cases where both a man or women both commit the same crime, yet the man is 100% always going to get something more serious than for women. Not fair at all.

[@superatgame1637]

Junko futura case, the criminal still exists

[@asnierkishcowboy]

I laughed so hard on the stock manipulating part. "You're now charged with manipulating the price for 1 month...12 times. " Hahha whats the next level? I mean a year has 365 days and a day has sooo many minutes hahha

[@ChineduOpara]

Oh I am sure they can figure out how to re-arrest someone INFINITY TIMES for the same crime. Remember, these people are FANTASTIC at Math! 😅

[@KongnyuElvis]

Did you watch this video?

[@rickstalentedtongue910]

@@KongnyuElvis Yes, you?

[@nobodynothing00000]

This is why I laugh at internet nerds on KZbin who say shit like “Japan is crime free”

[@reflex9238]

It is, but for the most dystopian of reasons.

[@InexpiateShade]

Corruption doesn’t count

[@silverhawkscape2677]

Technically speaking.

[@InexpiateShade]

@@nobodynothing00000 I do see some positive merits with the amount of importance being placed on actually enforcing defamation of character and reputation. I don’t agree with some aspects of its application in Japan but I ain’t nobody, I’m somebody. So until they ask for somebody’s opinion, what I think don’t mean jack shhhh. Cuz Japan asking nobody right now and that’s not me Edit- 😂 I realized you are nobody right after I posted this. Ironic but while we’re here what is it you keep asking ppl that has them so mad?

[@robotnikkkk001]

....SAE'S PALACE FROM PERSONA5 IS SELF EXPLAINATORY WHY THEY'RE WRONG,TO BE EXACT ...HEHE

[@aisforapple2494]

Wow! Incredibly informative video!

[@herzogsbuick]

the conviction rate IS NOT arrests divided by convictions, it's prosecutions that go to trial divided by convictions. the numbers are still terrifying, but dude if you lead off with bullshit like that, a) people like me click dislike and move on, and b) you're actively hurting others' understanding of the situation. please consider these things. until next time.

[@IrishCarney]

From the Japanese Constitution's Article 37 (emphases mine): "In all criminal cases the accused shall enjoy the right to a *SPEEDY* and public trial by an impartial tribunal." and " *AT ALL TIMES* the accused shall have the assistance of competent counsel ..." From Article 38: "No person shall be compelled to testify against himself. Confession made under compulsion, torture or threat, *OR AFTER PROLONGED ARREST OR DETENTION* shall not be admitted in evidence. No person shall be convicted or punished in cases where the only proof against him is his own confession."

[@tecopa]

This video stated that in the US people can only be held for 2 days before going to court, that is incorrect, it's 3 days (72 hrs).

[@Norm475]

That is also BS. There are people who were arrested for the January 6 incident that haven't seen the inside of a courtroom.

[@Danimalpm1]

@@Norm475They’re not being held without a charge. Do you have a name or should we just take your word?

[@Norm475]

@@Danimalpm1 You can be charged without going to court. Police arrest and charge you, at a hearing the court determines if the charge is valid. If it is, you go to trial or settle without trial.

[@Danimalpm1]

@@Norm475 Once you’re charged with a crime, you’re arraigned in most cases within 48 hrs. That’s your first court appearance and it’s often done through video conference. A public defender is appointed at that time if you can’t afford an attorney and a bail determination is made. It can take years for a case to reach its conclusion based on complexity and delays in scheduling are often requested by both the defense and prosecution to further their case. That’s not the same as being held without charge as discussed in the video.

[@UserDontiAS]

Nice video. Ive learned lot i thank you man.

[@NeilForshaw]

What's the evidence that this justice system is the reason for low crime? Just because it's got a harsh near guaranteed conviction rate doesn't mean it's got low crime (Just look at Russia. Also near guaranteed conviction rate yet crime is high).

[@kokosnh1170]

There’s something similar in Poland, you can be arrested without charge „areszt wydobywczy”, and your arrest can be extended by 3 months each time indefinitely by judge „areszt tymczasowy”. Then after some time you are presented with a choice, confess and you are free to go ( as your arrest time will be counted as whole punishment ), or go to trial. There’s also a new problem with rape/violence accusation, as you can be evicted from your house, without any personal belongings, money, and even life saving medications (insulin etc). Just with one call, without any proof ( you don’t even have to know the "victim", and yes there were cases like that, the „victim” didn't this how the guy looks like ) The same with rape accusation, you have to proof your innocence, last week a guy was found guilty, even though his cell phone was logged to connect to cell tower in other part of town, and the dna samples found was not his. It’s insane there was no witness, no CCTV no anything, just accusation from „victim”, it’s lottery to what judge you will get, and the rest of your life is gone. You can appeal the, but it take time like literal years sometimes.

[@CinemaSo]

@@kokosnh1170 that’s insane! I will never travel outside of Scandinavia ever again!! 😱

[@GlennDuke-yc5ky]

I don't believe Japan is a good country to visit. Maybe some good people there. But I will never meet them in this world. I remember WW2. They mistreat their women and get off on it.

[@onesimpleclik]

That isn't a justice system.. that's an injustice system.

[@ejhockey]

It works. Japan is the safest country in the world as a result.

[@ChineduOpara]

​@ejhockey ...until you're falsely accused of a crime.

[@caojidan8913]

Infinite Arrest? Sounds like free shelter, food, and water with extra steps. Sometimes I wonder why homeless is a thing.

[@silverhawkscape2677]

Because of the Face thing. Who wants to be arrested for infinity. 😂

[@caojidan8913]

@@silverhawkscape2677 When you're poor and extremely hungry, you'd be surprised what you'll do. Moral wouldn't even come to mind.

[@ichaukan]

2:23 Correction: In the US you absolutely can be held in jail for more than a day without being charged. There are some folks who have been sitting in jail for a year or more without being formally charged.

[@BriefNerdOriginal]

Torture has been proven counterproductive centuries ago. This approach to "justice" is just another form of torture.

[@jakepullman4914]

Torture is ineffective at getting the truth. It's highly effective at getting confessions.

[@SusCalvin]

Feudal Japan, centuries ago, used to allow legal torture with the same goal in mind. Extracting confessions. But legal torture was not uncommon in contemporary Europe either at the time.

[@KramerPacer83]

This piano music in the beginning is really putting me in a good mood before learning about Japan’s dark underbelly

[@R_W_Goodson]

The Yakuza: We disagree.

[@RichardLuye-kb1qj]

It's situations like this one that points out that this type thing happening in America, against the current laws of the land, in this case, hibiscus corpus right/law/fairness, protection for defensive against un fair un justified treatment is so important.

[@dr.python]

I would rather take that over a place where firearms are legal

[@Danimalpm1]

It’s interesting to me that whenever I watch a video on any other country in the world, I can’t go more than a few comments without someone taking a subtle or not so subtle shot at the U.S., even when the video is completely unrelated.

[@ForestTekkenVideos]

I wonder if they go easier on foreigners who are there for vacation. Very informative video!

[@v.d.2738]

Just another sloppy video abt Japan that parrots myths like the 99% conviction rate and discriminatory stereotypes.

[@elliot2177]

I live in Japan and Japan isn't as safe as it is portrayed on the national stage.Eaoecially, for women.

[@jeungbou]

Cherry picking at its best. What about incarceration rate? Pretty low. Number of police per capita? Pretty low. So there may be other reasons for the low crime rate. Maybe the same reason which also apply for Taiwan and South Korea, which have a different justice system. Japan is a risk avoidance culture. The police won’t put in any work if they know the probability for conviction is low. If you had ever dealt with crime in Japan you would know how frustrating this can be.

[@SusCalvin]

Sexual assault or corruption charges seems easier to not pick up than prosecute. Then things look nicer

[@taemien9219]

This reminds me of a video about Native American Proverbs. One of them stated something that went like, "we do not have prisons, and had no delinquents." To most this would indicate that prisons breed crime (which in many cases they do), but to the astute who have studied history, they would know that they most likely executed or exiled those accused of crimes. Its very easy to have a low crime rate without a system of incarceration if you execute or otherwise remove offenders entirely. However such a system is unjust and unfriendly.

[@CropCircleSystems]

When innocence is lost as a shield, rational thinkers choose criminality

[@Gabriel-Kazu]

My loophole, gets arrested; keep name of officers arresting. Go to jail. Collect names of guards. Wait patently for trial that may never come. Inform guards that arresting officers tried to solicit to you and arrested you upon your denial. That should get them arrested. Then when you speak with a judge inform him of the guards attempts to bribe you for money and of their secret talks with you about breaking you out of jail or smuggling things in for you. Get them all to stand trial as accused. And since evidence of a crime isn't a requirement they'll be wrapped up in internal investigations and litigation they'll literally eat themselves apart. Random 9pm thoughts do not attempt.

[@SusCalvin]

The other side of Japan is refusing to investigate crime when uncomfortable or embarassing.

[@NMalteC]

Please lose the background piano and I may be able to watch for longer than 60 seconds

[@virginiamoss7045]

Yeah, that "music" makes it very hard to follow the dialogue. And it makes me increasingly anxious. Lots of videos make this mistake; they think it makes people attentive when it really makes them anxious.

[@moneykingmm9298]

…….

[@argusy3866]

​@@virginiamoss7045 You may have an attention deficit, such simple tune shouldnt affect you that much...

[@virginiamoss7045]

@@argusy3866 I'm not the only one, as witnessed here; I have encountered many people who are annoyed by video "music" selections and their volume. And "simple" can be mind-numbingly repetitive. If content is good enough, no "music" is needed. When used, it says the creator is not confident that it's enough or good enough. Now, music is certainly used professionally to elicit emotion all the time to manipulate the viewer. I don't like being manipulated.

[@DeAthWaGer]

Yeah it's also way too loud. Turning the volume down you still hear the chords over the voice over. Compress your audio and add a low pass filter.

[@FrankCostanza-u4b]

You can't "save face" by confessing to something you didn't do. Actually, staying in jail for 14 months was truly him saving face.

[@venktechsolution7956]

The thing is Japan's people doesn't protest against anything. From the unreasonable expectations at work to social injustice. No one bats an eye. If you don't protest nothing will ever change. Ironic they claim themselves as brave with their samurai history and all but scared of protesting against anything

[@dmac7128]

The comparison of conviction rates between Japan and the US lacks some context. Typically the conviction rate is calculated using the number of cases that actually go to trial and result in guilty verdicts. In the United States, the Federal conviction rate averages 85-90 percent (based on the number that go to trial). BUT there is one very important number, the number of indictments that end in plea deals. When factoring them, the conviction rate in the Federal system is 99.8 percent, nearly the same as in the Japanese system (assuming the same metrics are applied). The United States also uses a hostage justice system. Its based on the bail bond system. If charged you can remain in jail indefinitely until either going to trial or taking a plea deal. Very few cases actually end up going to trial especially for minor offenses that don't result in lengthy jail sentences. People will take the deal just to get out of jail.

[@AlbertBormant]

A lack of mass immigration helps lower the crime rate

[@vanguardas9927]

bingo

[@geraldarnoult]

Nothing to do with migrants, migrants are less likely to couse crime then native born Americans, those people YOU THINK ARE migrant, are Americans

[@PxThucydides]

Myth. Immigrants are 70% less likely to commit crime

[@Danimalpm1]

Oh yes, the argument that immigrants are all violent criminals. Someone watches way too much right wing entertainment.

[@SusCalvin]

Japan has a lot more labour migration than they pretend to. In practice it has broken up over the years. It depends if your country would be safer with less koreans. Japan likes to think it is so outstandingly special that koreans simply can't understand it. Meanwhile, we can look at their super special customs and think "You open up only when drunk" and "You are afraid to confront seniors" and then it's not longer as mysterious.

[@juliewoods6534]

The only way to reduce crime is to not report it.

[@robotnikkkk001]

....ENTIRE PLOT OF PERSONA5,BY THE WAY ............

[@-Raylight]

Turns out Ace Attorney was real all along. But we have no Phoenix Wright to fix the Edgeworth(s) or the judicial system 😭

[@Miraihi]

So much crazy stuff happens in Ace attorney it's easy to believe that "Guilty until proven innocent" part of its juducial system is fantasy as well.

[@steffski1946]

sounds like plea bargaining in the US, not unlike Japan - like Japan, people in jail also don't receive their meds or other medical services - equally dark

[@robgronotte1]

If that were true, people would be dying all the time from lack of medicine and it would be a huge scandal. Why don't we hear about it?

[@Danimalpm1]

You’ve no idea what you’re talking about, do you?

[@SathyaswamyS]

Funny fact: Modernisation of police forces scheme existed since 1969 and the Bureau of Police Research and Development existed since 1970, but the Indian police forces are still primitive. On a serious note, India seriously needs to bring about massive reforms and modernisation of the police forces and build a force that a real emerging superpower must have. Looking at the current state of the police forces, bragging that India is a future superpower is so laughable. If the police are not fixed as fast as possible, movements to abolish the police may rise. Watch and learn from Dubai police how a modern police force should be like.

[@windnet9565]

No problem. All you have to do is not commit a crime.

[@aaaaaaaaooooooo]

This practice does not help keep crime low. If crime is low it's because of some other factor of Japanese society. Catching the wrong person and forcing a confession does not reduce crimes.

[@NseEkong]

Everything I know about the Japanaes legal system I learned from Phoenix Wright. Also, could aomeone explain how Japan having an unfair leagal system means that it's not a democracy? The word democracy does not mean American legal system/Constitution.

[@MrElliotc02]

Would you rather live in Japan or Oakland?

[@johngiles132]

The mobs of shoplifters in Oakland and San Francisco definitely prefer the Bay Area. They're out in a couple of days and back at it again. LOL

[@AndreRodriguez-BlkRican]

@@johngiles132japan has also had a reocr dhigh amount of smash and grabs last year. The only reason the ginzomafked smah and grab went veialmwa sbecuas eit was recorded by bysatmders. In Japan the polcie we enkt allowed to show or else videos of of shoplifring or violent crimes. Eveyht8ng is investogefed privaltley to keep a sense of security.

[@zshah3107]

I vote 🇯🇵 !!

[@Danimalpm1]

Well one is a country and one is a city, so your question is terrible.

[@MrElliotc02]

@@Danimalpm1 My question is just fine, turdbreath.

[@Oceaniac]

Play the video game ‘Judgment’. It explains all of this REALLY well. Shows you the dark side of the Japanese legal system and how broken it is. It’s a fantastic story based on a real problem that exists in Japan. Highly recommend. If you don’t like playing video games, just search for a playthrough or story cutscenes on youtube.

[@jaybrown6174]

I was recently in Japan and I was amazed how nice the place is. Every place is so clean and well organized and the people were very polite. I don’t know if this video about the justice system is true or not but I doubt it is as extreme as they make it sound. I can say I felt very safe in Japan unlike the big cities in the US. Also the DOJ in the US is fairly corrupt too especially if you don’t have the right political leanings so maybe you should do a video on us.

[@virginiamoss7045]

Been drinking that cool aid, I see.

[@jaybrown6174]

@@virginiamoss7045 No cool aid just telling it like I see it and anyone that really pays attention to our government’s bad acting also sees it.

[@heron6462]

This is the impression that most visitors to Japan get, and it"s mostly by design.

[@virginiamoss7045]

@@jaybrown6174 The DoJ is not corrupt. It may be biased toward conservative principles from time to time, but it's not outright corrupt.

[@h.h.c466]

Wow, this happens when being too nice and anxious for a society ?: So the criminals are actually working in the justice system in Japan ? This method sounds really disturbing of re-arresting.

[@geebashiri3315]

As a bIk man in the USA. We can get arrested and sentenced to death over total lies lol. So I can definitely understand a system that is completely unfair to its citizens.

[@Danimalpm1]

If you’re sentenced to death, it’s because the evidence was pretty compelling. In some cases, black men get off free when they’re obviously guilty. Remember OJ?

[@KwamePenny]

I fucking love this system they run in Japan omg . As a Ghanaian living on the Bronx ,NYC and who believes in living in an ideal society, I wholeheartedly support this system. The intro alone was freaking music to my ears . Imagine employing that system in the Bronx or even in Ghana omg . A conversation I have with my brother daily is about the constant crime rate here in the Bronx like everyday it’s one thing or the other and these kids just won’t stop. They make bail and go commit the same crimes again smh

[@Rundark-]

NY is a shitehole due to democrat policies and the bleeding hearts that vote for them. Add to that you can't exercise your God given right to protect yourself. And if Mrs. Gigglesworth, A.K.A. Kamalalalala Harris gets elected it will be even worse. You've obviously been here a while as your writing skill is better than some who were born here, lol. But they don't have cash bail in NY anymore, Bragg got rid of that when he took office, if you can move out of there that would be your best option. But if you can't I understand, I to live in a liberal ran into the ground shitehole, however I retain my rights to self defense and I carry everywhere I go. It's funny though, I've stopped two stores from being robbed, and a bunch of other strong armed robberies and assaults on myself and others and the only time I had to pull my gun is when a guy tried to carjack me. But like the saying here goes, "I'd rather have it and not need it than need it and not have it." Be safe out there.

[@maydoe-u7h]

Recently, especially under LDP(conservative) administration, Japanese government has been ruling nation with an iron fist like. Administrative and judicial branches of the government cooperate with each other, and mass medias are under its control, Though "Hostage justice" is criticized in and out of Japan, It ignores them.

[@SusCalvin]

From what I understand, they have rules for most of the 20th century.

[@CinemaSo]

Tokyo has been at the top of my travel goals list for years, but no more.

[@Danimalpm1]

Tokyo is an amazing city. I spent 10 days in Japan right before the pandemic started and it was the best vacation I’ve had. The people were great and I can’t wait to go back. Why would you let a YT video change the course of your life?

[@CinemaSo]

@@Danimalpm1 that sounds great! I’ve always been drawn to the atmosphere there, the lights, futuristic architecture, food, cleanliness and polite culture. But I’ve also watched a lot of those “jailed abroad” shows with horrific justice systems. One of my biggest (ir)rational fears is getting mistakenly mixed up with the law in a foreign culture with corruption and/or harsh laws while not having the language to communicate well. I’ll never set foot in an islamic or African country for that very reason. I read dozens of comments here on this video criticizing Japanese justice, and my heart sank. Some of the stories are awful - innocent people suffering years of incarceration without trial over a mistake 😞 Japan is out.

[@BerndBausch]

Don't get yourself manipulated by people on the internet who pretend to be experts for likes.

[@bentonryer]

Unless your name is Johnny, apparently.

[@gijbuis]

I think the case of Nissan boss Carlos Ghosn is a typical example of guilty until proven innocent. Luckily he succeeded in escaping from the claws of the Japanese (in) justice system!

[@MorbidBlessing]

If the UN is against something, there’s a good chance that it’s the right thing to do for your society and culture. Charges are typically not brought without exceptionally strong evidence. The results of Japan’s justice system speak for themselves.

[@peterc4082]

UN was against the North Korean invasion of the south. So you're saying North Korea is good?

[@vesna639]

An aquaintance who lives there says that if kid's hair isn't black enough (even in kindergardent) the parents are expected to dye the kid's hair. Conformity is kind. Not quite the jolly place the cartoon mascots the country is plastered with suggest.

[@BerndBausch]

I have heard of such cases, but they are rare and universally criticized. None of this has happened to my children throughout their schools. My youngest daughter had classmates with hair colours that span the entire spectrum.

[@mitsubishi777]

You think Japan is not a democratic country, but it is completely wrong. According to Democracy Index by Country 2024, Japan's democracy index is 8.4. Incidentally, Germany is 8.8. Canada is 8.69. United Kingdom is 8.28. France is 8.07. United States is 7.85. Italy is 7.69.