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 Setsuko Kamiya

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Setsuko Kamiya
Setsuko Kamiya is a staff writer and editor covering local news, including legal issues, and has been following the ongoing judicial reform. A 2005 Fulbright journalist grantee, she studied the American jury system in California.
For Setsuko Kamiya's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:
Japan Times
JAPAN / EXPLAINER
Mar 30, 2010
Capital crimes soon to lose statute
The Democratic Party of Japan-led government recently approved a bill to abolish the statute of limitations on crimes that could be punishable by hanging in a move experts say signals a major shift in the justice system.
JAPAN
Mar 27, 2010
All interrogations must be taped: Sugaya
Toshikazu Sugaya, convicted of murder in 1993 and freed from prison last June, and others believed wrongfully convicted are calling for full videotaping of police interrogations to help prevent crime suspects from being forced to make false confessions.
JAPAN / ANALYSIS
Mar 27, 2010
Deck stacked against defendant from the get-go
Had legal professionals over the past two decades followed the basic principles of law and given accused killer Toshikazu Sugaya the benefit of the doubt, he may not have suffered the miscarriage of justice that put him behind bars for more than 17 years, experts say.
JAPAN
Mar 13, 2010
Sea Shepherd activist arrested
The Japan Coast Guard on Friday arrested a member of U.S.-based antiwhaling group Sea Shepherd Conservation Society for trespassing in connection with his boarding of a whaling fleet vessel in the Antarctic Ocean last month.
JAPAN
Mar 6, 2010
Sex offender rehab takes new tack
Since its introduction three years ago, Japan's correctional program for sex offenders, modeled after Canada's system, has made great strides, a leading expert on rehabilitation from Ontario says.
JAPAN
Feb 26, 2010
Lay judges off to solid start
It's been roughly a half year since the first lay judge trial, and many in the legal profession agree the new criminal trial system has gotten off to a smooth start, and the public is taking its new civic duty very seriously.
JAPAN
Feb 18, 2010
Teacher gives dropouts free helping hand
Shotaro Namekata is one of many who believe education holds the key to stepping up the social ladder and obtaining a better job. But in reality, children from lower income households end up in low-paying jobs themselves because of their limited schooling.
JAPAN / EXPLAINER
Feb 16, 2010
Steeped in tradition, Shinto, sumo is also scandal-stained
The national sport of sumo traces its origins to an early Shinto ritual to pray for a bountiful harvest, and the professional tournaments of today date to the 17th century during the Edo Period.
JAPAN
Jan 29, 2010
Kato sorry for Akihabara massacre
Tomohiro Kato pleaded guilty Thursday to murdering seven people and injuring 10 in Tokyo's popular Akihabara electronics district in June 2008.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Dec 22, 2009
Many lessons learned by students at climate talks
COPENHAGEN — A Japanese university student who attended the climate talks here as a member of an international nongovernmental organization says everything at the conference was a learning experience, even if he was disappointed with the outcome.
JAPAN
Dec 21, 2009
Japan finds a little to crow about
COPENHAGEN — The political agreement on climate change formally recognized Saturday has been roundly condemned, but the Japanese government sees it as a diplomatic achievement for including China and the United States, the two largest emitters, and paving the way for a future framework to reduce...
Japan Times
JAPAN
Dec 19, 2009
Japan, Australia, Canada hit for falling short
...
JAPAN
Dec 18, 2009
Japan, U.S. vow cash to gain climate deal
COPENHAGEN — In a last-minute attempt to achieve a breakthrough at the U.N. climate summit in Copenhagen, Japan and the United States announced Wednesday and Thursday short- and long-term financial pledges for developing countries to mitigate the effects of climate change over the next three years...
Japan Times
JAPAN
Dec 17, 2009
Green Key inns are all eco-stars
COPENHAGEN — Whenever climate change comes up for discussion, many industries say going green and reducing their energy consumption would be bad for business, even affecting the quality of service and products they provide.
JAPAN
Dec 17, 2009
Gridlock threatens to doom COP15
COPENHAGEN — U.N. negotiators at the COP15 conference worked through the night Tuesday, increasingly desperate to reach agreement before more than 120 world leaders gather Thursday night and Friday and following an official warning that the stalemated negotiations could doom the conference.
Japan Times
JAPAN / EXPLAINER
Dec 15, 2009
Protecting biodiversity to be key '10 goal
The United Nations has declared 2010 the International Year of Biodiversity to promote conservation and sustainable biodiversity. In October, Japan will host the 10th U.N. Convention on Biological Diversity, an event held every two years.
JAPAN
Dec 11, 2009
Japan climate role crucial: U.N.'s Nwanze
the baseline as 1990. It sends a signal to the rest of the world," he said. Japan has maintained its leadership with respect to food and agriculture in Africa, Nwanze said, pointing to its commitment to African development through the Tokyo International Conference on African Development that began in...
JAPAN / COP15 COPENHAGEN SPECIAL
Dec 7, 2009
A brief history of climate talks: looking back, looking forward
Industrialization in the 19th century brought many of the benefits we enjoy in the modern world, changing the structure of society, industry and economy. But nearly two centuries later, one of the downsides of the Industrial Revolution is gaining more attention: global warming.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Dec 3, 2009
Environment minister prepared for ringmaster's role at COP15
Environment Minister Sakihito Ozawa said Wednesday he is ready to exercise leadership as Japan's negotiator at next week's international meeting in Copenhagen on climate change and to work to ensure China and the United States commit to setting new reduction targets from 2013.
Japan Times
JAPAN / ATMOSPHERIC PRESSURE
Nov 26, 2009
CO2 cuts will require nation's transformation
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