The launch of the lay judge system for criminal trials is being observed with great interest overseas, where public participation in court cases is well established, a prominent expert on the U.S. jury system said.

"It's a very important moment, not just for Japan but for many people who look at lay participation and think about it as a valuable part of society," Cornell Law School professor Valerie Hans said during a recent visit to Tokyo.

Hans was vacationing with her family in Japan while the first "saibanin" lay judge trial took place at the Tokyo District Court from Aug. 3 to 6.