“Japan death row inmates sue over same-day executions”というBBCの記事*1に曰く、
Two death row inmates in Japan are taking legal action against same-day executions.Prisoners on death row are only notified hours before they are to be executed. Capital punishment is conducted by hanging.
Their lawyer has argued such short notice was "extremely inhumane", local media said.
Rights groups have long criticised the practice, saying it affects the mental health of prisoners.
"Death row prisoners live in fear every morning that that day will be their last," said the lawyer for the two death row inmates Yutaka Ueda, according to a Reuters report.
"The central government has said this is meant to keep prisoners from suffering before their execution, but that's no explanation. Overseas, prisoners are given time to contemplate the end of their lives and mentally prepare."
NHKの報道によると、1975年以前は死刑執行の前日に通告され、死刑囚は家族との最後の面会ができたという。しかし、前日に通告を受けた死刑囚が死刑が執行される前に自殺するということが起こったために、現在のように執行の数時間前に通告するという慣行に変わったのだという。法務省側の言い分は「前日の告知は、かえって本人に過大な苦痛を与えかね」ないというものである*2。1975年以前は当日の通告ではなかったということは知らなかった。殺すだけじゃなくて、ひょっとしたら今日吊るされるんじゃないかというひやひやを毎朝味わさせるのも刑罰としての死刑に含まれていると主張する文章を以前に読んだことがあっただけど、執行直前の通告というのが比較的新しいことじゃないか！
The prisoners filed a suit in district court in the city of Osaka on Thursday, in what is believed to be a first, arguing the short notice doesn't give them time to file an objection.They have asked for 22 million yen ($193,500, £143,000) in compensation, according to their lawyer.
There are more than 100 people on death row in Japan but none have been executed for nearly two years.
*1:https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-59173259
*2:「死刑執行 “当日直前の本人告知は違法” 死刑囚2人が国を提訴」https://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/html/20211104/k10013334801000.html
