Justice Minister Hideo Usui indicated Thursday that he supports lowering the minimum age at which people can be penalized for crimes as adults, which currently stands at 16.
His comments come as the nation reflects on a string of high-profile crimes committed by teenagers.
Speaking before a plenary session of the Lower House that began formal debate on a controversial bill to revise the Juvenile Law, Usui said the age issue is "an important issue that requires swift study."