JAPAN: JUSTICE MINISTER SAYS ABOLISHING DEATH PENALTY "NOT APPROPRIATE"

November 4, 2008: Japanese Justice Minister Eisuke Mori said it is not acceptable to abolish the death penalty. "It is not appropriate to terminate capital punishment," he told a press conference after the Cabinet meeting.
His comments came after the UN Human Rights Committee urged Japan last week to consider the termination of the death penalty regardless of public opinion that favours its maintenance.
In its first report on Japan in 10 years, the UN panel said it is the Japanese government's responsibility to stir the debate for abolishing capital punishment, urging the country to educate its people and make them realize that the abolishment of capital punishment is desirable. (Sources: BBC, 04/11/2008)