The quick trial of a Peruvian man that ended Tuesday is an example of what to expect with the new legal steps to speed up proceedings.
The Hiroshima District Court's quick sentencing of Jose Manuel Torres Yagi, 34, to life for sexually assaulting and killing a 7-year-old girl followed a trial that spanned only 50 days and reflects new pretrial procedures introduced to speed up trials in preparation for the May 2009 debut of the "lay judge" system, in which members of the public will rule on trials along with sitting judges.
The new rules narrow the points of argument before a trial starts. In the pretrial huddle, lawyers for each side meet with the judge, a plea may be entered as well as evidence, although this may close the door on later evidence being presented during a trial.