A trial challenging Japan's lengthy and grueling detention of criminal suspects opened in Tokyo on Wednesday, with plaintiffs decrying "subhuman" treatment they say ignores the presumption of innocence.
Campaigners argue that lengthy pretrial detention is meted out too easily in Japan, especially if suspects remain silent or refuse to confess.
The lawsuit is challenging the constitutionality of the system of "hostage justice" in which confessions become a de facto condition for their release.
With your current subscription plan you can comment on stories. However, before writing your first comment, please create a display name in the Profile section of your subscriber account page.