The government has announced that the lay judge system will take effect on May 21, 2009. The new system will be used in criminal cases in which suspects are indicted on and after that day. Trials using lay judges are expected to begin in late July or early August 2009.
Marking a drastic change to the nation's criminal trial system, ordinary citizens' views will be reflected in judgments and sentencing. It is hoped that the Supreme Court, the Japan Federation of Bar Associations and the Justice Ministry will fully cooperate and make preparations to ensure the new system will start without a hitch.
The introduction of the lay judge system was proposed by a government panel for reform of the judiciary on June 12, 2001. The Diet enacted the Lay Judges Law on May 21, 2004. In the new system, six citizens chosen at random will, together with three professional judges, hear initial trials dealing with such serious crimes as murder, burglary leading to injuries, arson and dangerous driving causing death.