The Osaka District Court, in a lay judge trial on July 30, sentenced a 42-year-old man suffering from development disorder to 20 years' imprisonment, four years longer than demanded by the prosecution, for killing his elder sister.
The ruling is problematic. The judges appear to think that isolating and confining a person with developmental problems is the best policy for dealing with such people. The ruling carries the danger of encouraging discrimination against such people.
Citing the possibility that the defendant may again commit a crime, the ruling said that having him "search his conscience" over the crime for as long as possible in prison will help improve public order. Twenty years' imprisonment is the longest definite term sentence for murder.