The lay judge system that debuted last year on May 21 has had a smooth first year, and a 100 percent conviction rate, thanks largely to the conscientious efforts of the de facto jurors, prosecutors said Thursday.
With more cases on the way, the Supreme Public Prosecutor's Office vowed greater efforts to speed up trials and more honing of trial skills.
"So far, the lay judge trials, including the selection process, have gone smoothly overall, with the lay judges actively participating, and their opinions are reflected in the trials," said Shozo Fujita, director of the Supreme Public Prosecutor's Office's department in charge of the "saibanin" lay judge trials.
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