crime

NPO raises alarm over possible pardons of sex offenders

9 Comments
By Toma Mochizuki

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"We (Lighthouse) often talk to the police and have noticed that fines (for child-related sexual crimes) are really common. But as long as the suspect isn't a government official or someone who works for a major company, it's unlikely that it becomes major news," she said.

Furthermore, the offenders' families and workplaces are sometimes not informed. "They pay up, nobody knows, and it's done," Fujiwara added.

There it is folks! This is how Japan keeps its 'safe country' reputation alive. Many of these offenders do not receive any conviction either, which keeps the actual statistics low. They are fined, slip a few hundred thousand yen to the victims and off they go.

2 ( +9 / -7 )

Separately, the government decided to grant special individual pardons for those fined for minor infractions within the last three years and whose job prospects have been impacted.

Yup, aging workforce, need more people to fill jobs that no one else wants!

"There is a culture in Japan which tolerates viewing children as objects of sexual desire," he said. "Pedophilia isn't a Japanese-specific problem, but it has been relatively unregulated in this country."

Always the "excuse", no need to codify the answer, everyone knows it's a world wide problem, but this is a Japan-specific situation!

There should be a national register, but because of the culture here of glorifying children as sex objects, never going to happen!

5 ( +7 / -2 )

How can the idea of pardoning a sex offender even be considered? Particularly those that have directed their acts towards children? Do they just randomly pick names out of a hat and not bother to look at what crimes these people actually committed?

6 ( +8 / -2 )

A group supporting sex crime victims has voiced serious concerns about the government's decision to pardon petty criminals on the occasion of Emperor Naruhito's enthronement ceremony last year.

Great way to commemorate your emperor! Free the rapists and pedophilles!! WoooHooo!

Unbelievable.

6 ( +8 / -2 )

There it is folks! This is how Japan keeps its 'safe country' reputation alive. Many of these offenders do not receive any conviction either,

do you even bother to read what you write or what's actually in the article? how can these ask for a pardon if they weren't CONVICTED of a crime? smfh...

3 ( +5 / -2 )

@Yubaru

There should be a national register, but because of the culture here of glorifying children as sex objects, never going to happen!

This might sound crazy but, I think the reason why there isn't a national sex offenders registry has more to do with the Japanese mindset of not wanting to publicly humiliate someone. Its ludicrous but I think that is why there won't be a list. Also, if a list were to happen, there are many sex offenders in politics that it caught would be worried about the ramifications for them.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Can't tell for the rest of you out there, but THIS is inconceivable. Abe is insane to legislate such condition as a public servant. One of his sole duties is to protect the very young from predators. He can select other options to pardon but not this! These sexual offenders must be exposed to all social medias and platforms - to never again exercise nor practice at any job related with children ever again! And for them insalubrious politicians - rack, pack and sack them too! Its a mental sickness and since Japan has no countermeasures of adequate rehabilitation much less policies lacking severe punishment to the full extent of the law!

2 ( +3 / -1 )

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