90‑year‑old sister of ex‑death‑row inmate condemns Japan's retrial reform

On Saturday, the 90‑year‑old^[1] elder sister of former death‑row inmate Iwao Hakamata publicly condemned Japan's Justice Ministry plan to overhaul the retrial system.

She argues the proposal could deepen wrongful convictions because prosecutors would retain the ability to appeal court decisions that grant retrials — a power she said favors the state over the accused.

Hakamata’s sister, identified only as the elder sibling, addressed a small gathering in Tokyo, urging lawmakers to bar prosecutors from filing appeals once a court orders a new trial. She also called for a legal requirement that all evidence, including exculpatory material, be made available to defense teams during the retrial process.

The Justice Ministry’s draft bill, unveiled earlier this year, aims to streamline retrial procedures and reduce case backlogs. Supporters said the changes will make the system more efficient and prevent frivolous requests for new trials. Critics said that limiting prosecutorial oversight could undermine checks and balances, potentially allowing serious errors to go uncorrected.

Human‑rights groups said the sister’s concerns, noting that Japan’s high conviction rate, over 99 percent, already raises questions about due‑process safeguards. They said greater transparency and the removal of prosecutorial appeal rights would align Japan’s criminal justice system with international standards and reduce the risk of future miscarriages of justice.

What this means: The sister’s outspoken criticism adds a personal, high‑profile voice to a growing debate over Japan’s retrial reforms. If lawmakers heed her call, the Justice Ministry may need to rewrite key sections of the bill, potentially reshaping the balance of power between prosecutors and the courts and influencing how future wrongful convictions are addressed.