世論 What Japan Thinks

The Cabinet Office Japan recently published the results of a survey into the lay judge system to be introduced in 2009. Over ten days in the middle of December last year they selected a random sample of 3,000 people aged 20 years or older, of which 1,795, or 59.8%, chose to respond to the survey. More detailed demographic information is yet to be published.

This is another topic where I translated a survey last year. I was always disappointed that I never got selected for jury duty when I was back home.

Q1: Do you know about the soon-to-start lay judge system? (Sample size=1,795)

Yes (to SQ)	80.7%
No	19.3%

Q1SQ: Regarding the lay judge system, which of the following do you know about? (Sample size=1,449, multiple answer)

Lay judges will decide along with the full-time judges on guilt and innocence, and the strength of any penalties	68.2%
When performing lay judge duties, there are matters you cannot discuss with others	50.7%
You don’t need knowledge of the law to become a lay judge	31.5%
If a vote is required, lay judges’ votes have equal weight to those of the full-time judges	30.3%
You can take the required work leave if you become a lay judge	30.2%
Lay judges get a daily allowance, including travel	18.4%
Lay judges will participate only in trials of serious crimes	15.5%
Those over 70 years old can refuse to be a lay judge	10.1%
Other	0.3%
None of the above	13.0%

Q2: Lay judges are selected by a random lottery from all citizens aged 20 years old or more. Would you want to be chosen to participate? (Sample size=1,795)

Want to particpate	5.6%
Wouldn’t mind participating	15.2%
Don’t really want to participate, but would fullfil my obligation to	44.5%
Even though it is an obligation, I don’t want to participate	33.6%
Don’t know	1.2%

Q3: Assuming you were participating in a trial as a lay judge, what things might you feel unsure about? Select from the list below. (Sample size=1,795, multiple answer)

Would feel heavy responsibility for deciding the defendant’s fate	64.5%
Not confident I could cooly judge	44.5%
Don’t know the workings of trials	42.0%
Not confident I could express my own opinion in front of a professional judge	40.5%
Physical safety issues regarding undue resentment from the defendant’s side	39.1%
Not confident I could maintain my duty of confidentiality	20.3%
Difficulties with work due to participating in trial	18.7%
Difficulties with childcare or nursing due to participating in trial	10.3%
No particular worries	3.7%
Other	0.4%
Don’t know	2.3%