Citizens whose relatives have died in crimes committed by minors have banded together to ask the Justice Ministry to amend the Juvenile Law, which they say protects minor offenders through closed family court adjudication proceedings.
Ruriko Take and other group leaders plan to go to Tokyo to present their request to the ministry along with statements they have written about losing relatives in crimes involving minors.
The group is made up of nine victims' families from six prefectures. Under the Juvenile Law, adjudication, which takes the place of hearings held in adult criminal trials, is closed to the public. Family courts do not explain the proceedings, even to relatives of those murdered by minors.
The group plans to ask the ministry to introduce a new trial system to replace the adjudication system, make public information about murders and other serious crimes involving minors, and clarify the responsibilities of parents whose minor children commit crimes.
The group was formed by four families who lost relatives in crimes committed by minors and were never given explanations about family court proceedings.