Saiban-In Seido (the Lay Assessor System), Kensatsu Shinsakai (Prosecutorial Review Commission (PRC)), and Okinawa's Quest for Self-Determination and Political Sovereignty

Okinawan Journal of American Studies, 2008, 5: 31-42

12 Pages Posted: 25 Mar 2015

See all articles by Hiroshi Fukurai

Hiroshi Fukurai

University of California Santa Cruz

Date Written: March 23, 2008

Abstract

Two new systems of lay participation in Japan -- Saiban-in saiban (the lay assessor trial) and new Kensatsu Shinsakai (Prosecutorial Review Commissions) -- will have a significant democratizing effect in Okinawa. Under the lay assessor system, local residents can become direct participants in criminal trials involving American military defendants. The new grand jury system (PRC) will have equally powerful impacts upon the prosecutor's use of discretion, largely because non-indictment decision made by local prosecutors against American military personnel or Japanese government officials will be critically assessed and may even be reversed by the citizen's panel. These lay justice systems may then help to restore a strong sense of social independence, political sovereignty, and cultural identity for the people in the island of Okinawa.

Keywords: Saiban-in Seido, Proselutorial Review, Lay assessor trial, Okinawan Political Sovereignty

Suggested Citation

Fukurai, Hiroshi, Saiban-In Seido (the Lay Assessor System), Kensatsu Shinsakai (Prosecutorial Review Commission (PRC)), and Okinawa's Quest for Self-Determination and Political Sovereignty (March 23, 2008). Okinawan Journal of American Studies, 2008, 5: 31-42, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2584195

Hiroshi Fukurai (Contact Author)

University of California Santa Cruz ( email )

1156 High St
Santa Cruz, CA 95064
United States
831-459-2971 (Phone)
831-459-3518 (Fax)

HOME PAGE: http://people.ucsc.edu/~hfukurai/

Do you have negative results from your research you’d like to share?

Paper statistics

Downloads
42
Abstract Views
483
PlumX Metrics