As three years have passed since the introduction of the lay judge trial system, the process to review the system has started with a Justice Ministry panel, which includes legal professionals, citizens and mass media people. The review is in accordance with a supplementary provision of the Act on Criminal Trials Examined Under Lay Judge System.
Nearly 30,000 Japanese citizens have served as lay judges and more than 95 percent of them said in surveys after individual trials that serving as lay judges was a meaningful experience. The review must be done with a view to making the system more acceptable to people, thus helping it take root firmly in Japanese society.
There are many things that must be taken up in the reviewing process. Serious attention should be paid to alleviating the burden on lay judges. Specifically the gag order on them must be eased, although it should remain in effect to the extent necessary to ensure free discussions among lay and professional judges.