Japanese politicians are generally not very vocal when it comes to their views on capital punishment, mainly because a large majority of the public supports the death penalty.
But among those who clearly express their positions on the way the state punishes people found guilty of the gravest crimes, Kokumin Shinto (People's New Party) lawmaker Shizuka Kamei stands out. Not only does he strongly oppose capital punishment, he is proud of the fact that he does.
"Without a doubt, all lives are precious, and they should be respected. That's why the state works to improve health care, maintain order and makes efforts so that murders don't occur in society, right?" says Kamei, 71, a former prominent Liberal Democratic Party member.