The so called 98% conviction rate in Japan is not what it may seem.

Hope this generates some proper discussion around this misunderstood and misrepresented figure.
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#japanese #kominka #akiya #emptyhouse #ruraljapan #inaka #japanesecountryside #abandonedhouses #farminginjapan #cafejapan.
Early next year i plan to expand my rural Japan cafe to include rescuing stray cats in my area to turn it into a unique Cat Cafe. Any help is very much appreciated.
www.buymeacoff...

[@RealRuralJapan]

Early next year i plan to expand my rural Japan cafe to include rescuing stray cats in my area to turn it into a unique Cat Cafe. Any help is very much appreciated. www.buymeacoffee.com/realruraljapan

[@Mr.NotImportant-qu5rx]

Chris Broad's Cat Nation video might be amusing and helpful. He could also probably give advice on the phone as part of his Abroad In Japan Podcast.

[@RealRuralJapan]

I don't know him and i am such a small channel!

[@Mr.NotImportant-qu5rx]

@@RealRuralJapan Everyone starts small. The Cat Nation video that Chris Broad did is available at kzbin.info/www/bejne/f2m5o6tvhLmngtEsi=SJ0iHDWy2vvRb5hp. Chris Broad is actually allergic to cats but an Australian film company hired him for this iconic video shown on many planes in flight movies.

[@Mr.NotImportant-qu5rx]

@@RealRuralJapan Chris Broad recently published a book Abroad In Japan. I think that both of you could help each other. Sort of a synergy thing.

[@Mr.NotImportant-qu5rx]

@@RealRuralJapan Chris Broad has an extensive Wikipedia page if you want to do some online research before you contact him.

[@marksilcock2961]

I got into some trouble on one of trips to Japan nearly ten years ago. Naturally I won't go into too much detail, but basically drunkenly caused some property damage & was caught out with cameras, found via our accom, & had to report to the Police. My cohorts & I were facing multiple years jail-time if the owner of the property wished to press charges, but instead we had to formally & personally apologise & pay all the damage costs......In return, once we fulfilled our duties, we had our charges placed 'on hold', & we were free men who could still leave & re-enter Japan without any charges or black mark against our names. My understanding is if we ever get into any more trouble in Japan, big or small, these charges will be reinstigated & i'll be heading for a 'holiday' based on the previous charges. It was a very harrowing time but it caused me to be very careful whenever in Japan, & still have a deep love for Japan & it's culture.[i've returned many times since then]. The Police were excellent.....totally human & unlike their western paramilitary style counterparts. My story shows how 'the figures' don't always show the reality & complexity of Japanese culture. If I meet you in person on a future trip, or when I retire to Japan shortly, i'll give you the full story................a B-grade action move could be made I tells ya. P.S. I've totally given up drinking 3 years back & that minimizes, if not eliminates the chance of messing up like I did in the past.

[@RealRuralJapan]

The usual low IQ and low info muppets will be around shortly to say how you don't know anything from the comfort of having never left their armchairs. You can bet on it!

[@manojfernando1028]

wonderful

[@thadtuiol1717]

A British guy I used to work with once went on a drunken rampage in a shotengai, turning over stalls and smashing shop windows (he was almost blind drunk and beyond reasoning with), and ended up punching a J-cop in the face and putting a dent in a squad car door by kicking it. Needless to say, he was in a world of trouble. To avoid jail, he had to apologize both orally and in writing to all the shop owners, apologize to the cops and pay all costs. I thought he was lucky to get away with that - in many countries he would have literally been killed that night, never mind going to jail for a long time.

[@borisselbstadler3209]

He would have gotten worse in the UK for a rampage like that too

[@EngineerSTG]

Plea deals should not be a thing in America. I remember my dad complaining about that 30 years ago. Getting off on a lesser charge than what was committed is dangerous on society.

[@RealRuralJapan]

Of course, it is but you mention... Getting off? While that is a big thing how about.... Confessing to something you didn't do under duress and coercion of bigger sentence? Both is what happens under the plea system.

[@weeklyfascination]

Well said! My favorite part is where you talk about the jury of KZbin commenters.

[@stratocastit]

Great video. Could you please do a video about Japanese forestry management? I have heard there are issues with cedars during the summer.

[@RealRuralJapan]

My friend Omo is coming in a few weeks to help do some firewood so ill ask him what he knows as he is a tree feller. Other than getting this info i know less than you about it.

[@Avantime]

1) Prosecutors (DAs) in the US are often elected officials, and they need to be seen by the public to tackle big crime cases, even if they fail in the end. 2) A criminal record in Japan, no matter how small, will severely dent your options for work, tenancy and social relationships, and for your family/children as well i.e. "Kids raised by crims will become crims themselves". It brings huge shame to the family, potentially for generations. 3) Japanese police have fallback charges they can use e.g. public nuisance, and that can easily become "he said, she said", except the other party is the police. This is often used in interrogations, in order to get a confession. 4) Racial profiling is common in Japan, for example ethnic Chinese and South Asians. e.g. police searches you far more often if you're in one of those ethnic groups and are not wearing business attire. It's always good to have a rock solid alibi when living in Japan as a foreigner, such as Google location history.

[@RealRuralJapan]

This another thing that irks me. Even fast-food joints check criminal records nowadays in the US and many jobs require a drug test too why do you think that is? It is so you go to the bottom of list. Go to rent an apartment? The realtor wants to know almost everything about you. Japan could be a little harsher in this regard, but people talk like it is a world apart but it's not.

[@wangxiaoming8989]

It's sad that an innocent person doesn't hold onto their innocence until the end (come what may) but instead gives it away by forcefully pleading guilty, out of fear, for a lesser sentence. People used to live by their principles, these days people live only out of their self interest.

[@non1503]

Yeah plea deals are big thing in the US. Sucks when you have to decide. More money and more money. For years potentially. Then the police target you and family in your town. because you just wont take the charge. Or take a lesser charge. Just to get it over with. So you can take care of your family or life. Another crazy thing, is they say average us citizen commits 3 felonies a day unknowingly.

[@monogramadikt5971]

excellent topic, that idea about a jury made up of facebook commenters is a pretty scary thing to imagine yeah lol

[@RealRuralJapan]

That is the system. To make matters worse prosecutors have a hand in picking them too!

[@user-of1mg1bu3b]

at last some honest perspective.. its wonderful :)

[@TkyoSam]

Another great video. Agreed, Japan isn't perfect, but you gotta look at the overall perspective.

[@Simple_Minded]

14:00 thank you for this masterpiece sir the video was quite informative, me like. its very weird that people don't take in mind that the culture of a place will have affects on everything that it comes in contact with. and most of the time bullet point information are almost always incomplete.

[@CurtisSound]

If you are arrested in the US you have the right to a speedy trial which means you have to be charged or let go generally within in 72 hrs. In Japan you can be held for 23 days without being charged. And when a foreign resident is told they will be let go ( suspended sentence) if they simply confess to some crime they didn’t commit they will also risk losing their visa status by doing so.

[@RealRuralJapan]

That is why foreigners dig their heels in even when they have the evidence and then complain when they get convicted 98% of the time when it eventually goes to trial. The usual people then grab the figure and run with it. Fact is if you are innocent the chances of a prosecutor taking it to trial would be almost nonexistent because they like to have irrefutable evidence before doing so. 20 odd days in limbo is not good but neither is an overzealous prosecutor trying to make a career for themselves like in the west at your innocent expense either. Both have flaws and positives, and the video was about this really.

[@greenbriar07]

The four times I've been called to serve jury duty in the US, none of the trials proceeded past the initial jury selection. We were only told on two of the cases that plea bargains were involved, not sure about what happened for the other two. At least here, I don't think the social concept of inconveniencing or taking up people's time is high on the list of considerations when it comes to going to trial, though. I will say being at the court house is an interesting experience, but not one I'd like to be involved with outside of a juror's chair 😔

[@user-cx1yb4ug9t]

To me it's understood when in Japan not to get into trouble with the law , their country, their rules. They couldn't care less about our standards of what's fair. I'm not making excuses, it's just how it is.

[@RealRuralJapan]

You are assuming your culture knows what is fairer and they don't and that their system is somewhat less fair. This is the feeling i get reading this statement. If so, it has a tinge of arrogance about it.

[@jakemarquez3118]

I've always thought that if the conviction rate is truly that high, the word "trial" is no longer appropriate

[@jonmarshall1502]

I’ve heard too many stories about how it works here, so I’m on my best behaviour whenever I’m here. Nothing to be achieved by acting like a dickhead.

[@TactDB]

Kitty crossing the street, risky. If you ever need a topic talk about bugs man. I guess for an Australian maybe they aren't anything bad relatively speaking. Like how bad is the bug situation in Japan? How about mosquitoes? Cockroaches? Any seasonal infestations? Bugs are all over the world but some places have managed them better than others. Go to rural Canada and you'll be eaten alive by mosquitoes in the summer but go to the UK and mosquitoes are uncommon (maybe the odd bite here and there). I rarely see (if ever) cockroaches in Western nations (save for the pit known as New York City) but whenever I visit South East Asia cockroaches are the small fry of intimidating bugs that skitter about. France has issues with bed bugs, does Japan have it's own issues should someone be neglectful? What's the word big bird? A Pacific Island that gets tropical-like weather... I imagine there are some kind of massive bugs that are a nuisance and mosquitoes galore thanks to all those rice fields? (edit: auto correct wrote mosquitoes as misquotes. Ughh)

[@RealRuralJapan]

I live in a snowy cold area in winter, so cockroaches aren't a big thing. Hot areas have the insect problems and the only thing here that is a pain are the stinkbugs because they hibernate in winter. I'll do a video someday but it pales in comparison to everywhere else.

[@simonj5004]

Got eaten alive whenever I have visited Japan in the summer. The mozzies are small,silent and fast. Good to know there are some places in Japan that aren't so badly affected. UK mosquitoes are fewer ,harmless,large and slow in comparison thankfully .we need some benefits.love Japan though

[@steveota9629]

Not to be snarky, it's calked a criminal justice system . Many such terms in our "western" Judicial system. Recently found Your wonderful channel, am really liking the variable topics such as thus . Final question, how does nepotism effect modern japan, economy if at all ? thanks so much Steveo T .

[@RealRuralJapan]

Nepotism is everywhere that is why i encourage people to work for themselves and get on the startup business visa.

[@manojfernando1028]

nice area

[@jetnavigator]

Not keen on the Japanese or Australian legal systems. Note I did not use the word 'justice'. But if you are wrongly convicted I think the Australian prison system is more relaxed as long as you're not in maximum security...

[@RealRuralJapan]

Aussie prisons make the problems worse. In Japan you work, and you shut your mouth no lazing about doing nothing.

[@jonmarshall1502]

@@RealRuralJapanI’d say it’s much the same in NZ

[@RealRuralJapan]

@jonmarshall1502 I have a couple of friends who work in the prisons in NZ and its very similar.

[@FilAmRecipes-mj5qo]

Keep safe my friend

[@GeoffSeeley]

@3:40 bad kitty!

[@chadgarcia983]

"they'll let you out in 48 hours." LOL. no. I had to pay 5 grand for a "felony assault" I didn't commit. They told me I'd see the judge on Tuesday when taken in on a Friday night. Never saw any judge after release and found the charges were dropped or dismissed.

[@RealRuralJapan]

Details are missing here i don't even know where this happened with this post!

[@richardletaw4068]

I think it unfair to call non-Japanese “lazy” because they are unaware of the intricacies of Japanese law and culture. I am only aware of some of the details owing to excellent reports by Chris Broad (Abroad In Japan) and the Decoy Voice channel’s excellent reports on odious streamer “Johnny Somali,” as well as other sources. I spent hours watching these and other video articles. But I wouldn’t berate others for not having the same degree of interest or time available to research this or any other topic. Incidentally, two articles on Japanese prisons were enough to persuade me NEVER to misbehave while in that country. As civilized as they appear in most ways, human rights organizations in and out of Japan decry conditions in those institutions. Research THAT (if you can-I came upon this information by chance) and get back to me.

[@RealRuralJapan]

You are talking to a guy who has deported more criminals than you have had hot dinners. It was my job to know about all this and much more.

[@richardletaw4068]

@@RealRuralJapan Super! So you have specialized knowledge far beyond what ANY layman might be expected to possess. Sir, I take no exception to any of your knowledge or experience; in fact, I commend you for having it. My only issue is your use of the word “lazy” to characterize non-specialists for lacking that inside information. Hell, knowing what I know now, I’d love to sit down with you over a jar and hear war stories about your deportees. You truly piqued my curiosity with THAT one! Thanks for your broadcasts, and for engaging with me here. I am truly grateful.

[@bobaloo2012]

It's never a good idea talking about subjects you know nothing about. This is a good example.

[@RealRuralJapan]

I used to deport criminals for the Australian immigration dept what about you? Nothing? I thought so.

[@garcurran5079]

Lol, 😂 that sorted that then, by the way Stevie, you done a good job deporting yourself! Not a bad place to be sent 😂

[@scout2nut]

Sorry to disagree with you about US plea-bargaining system, but no there are NOT 75% innocent people going to jail, not even a extremely small percentage of that number, our system is renowned for under charging crimes by the process off plea bargaining, many very nasty criminals are let off on lesser charges just to save money of trial by jury, are there people that have got railroaded by the system and agree to the lesser charge just to get on with their lives because of the risk and cost? certainly yes, these people usually have existing criminal records and are not trustworthy defendants and they know a jury may convict them due to their past more so than the current criminal charge. From what I have watched from other channels concerning Japans conviction rate, is they use forced confession more so than jury trial, and a case that has even a minor chance of failing to convict, that the suspect will not confess to, many times is never tried, so the likely guilty suspect walks without punishment.

[@RealRuralJapan]

but no there are NOT 75% innocent people going to jail, I didn't say that at all. I said 75% never go to trial and of course innocent people plea out to avoid higher sentences. This is something you also just stated so we actually agree on this not disagree.

[@Megamibunny]

I live in the USA and I disagree. State by state laws are a thing and money is king. people used to go to jail over possession of weed and abortions as well as other cases. My friend went to jail over their autistic kid wandering even though the ex was watching the child when they escaped and was not jailed. My friend did a plead deal and suffered like Rural said. Meanwhile a lady got probation over burning her own newborn. A teenager.

[@debuggedcode7436]

"75% of the cases in the US don't even go to trial." That's what he said, *not* that 75% of innocent people are going to jail. I see the point about people not watching the video or listening is ironically lost on you. You have much too much trust in the American judicial system and the 'memory' of your peers in a jury trial, considering how often police and witnesses misremember details (intentionally or otherwise) or outright lie on the stand with no punishment.

[@RealRuralJapan]

@debuggedcode7436 It's scary just how people don't listen and even scarier that when they do they totally forget what they heard even 5 minutes later and state the opposite! This is just a quick example of why a 3-man judge system i would take over a jury trial any day of the week.