The Upper House is discussing bills that will allow crime victims and their family members to sit with prosecutors and question defendants and witnesses in trials for serious crimes such as murder, manslaughter, rape, kidnapping and confinement. If the accused are found guilty, crime victims and their family members will be able to ask the same court to decide on compensation by using evidence presented by prosecutors in the criminal trial.
The proposed system responds to complaints from victims that their voices and feelings have not been properly reflected in criminal trials. It also will lighten their burden in seeking compensation from perpetrators. But since the bills will greatly change the traditional system of criminal proceedings, the Upper House lawmakers must carefully deliberate them.
Under the bills, victims and their family members will first ask the court to allow them to take part in the proceedings. Those whose requests have been accepted will be able to question defendants concerning facts and to ask witnesses about defendants' circumstances. But the questions must be examined by prosecutors beforehand. Victims and their family members will also be able to demand punishment for defendants although the demand will be viewed as an informal opinion.