Fact Check: "Japan is one of only two G7 countries still using capital punishment."
What We Know
Japan and the United States are indeed the only two countries in the Group of Seven (G7) that continue to retain capital punishment. As of 2023, Japan did not carry out any executions, making the U.S. the only G7 nation to perform executions that year. Japan imposed three new death sentences but did not execute anyone, which has led to increased scrutiny and debate about the future of the death penalty in the country (source-1). The last execution in Japan occurred on July 26, 2022, when Tomohiro Kato was executed for a mass murder in 2008 (source-1).
Analysis
The claim that Japan is one of only two G7 countries still using capital punishment is partially true. While it is accurate that Japan and the U.S. are the only G7 countries that retain the death penalty, it is crucial to note that Japan did not execute anyone in 2023. This pause in executions was attributed to various factors, including political challenges and international scrutiny as Japan held the G7 presidency in 2023 (source-1).
The reliability of the sources used in this analysis is high. The information comes from credible news outlets and organizations that specialize in legal and human rights issues, such as the Japan Times and the Death Penalty Information Center. However, it is important to recognize that public opinion in Japan still largely supports the death penalty, despite ongoing debates and criticisms from human rights advocates (source-3).
Moreover, the secrecy surrounding executions in Japan has been criticized as inhumane, with death row inmates often informed of their execution only shortly before it occurs (source-1). This adds a layer of complexity to the discussion about the death penalty in Japan, as it raises ethical concerns about the treatment of those on death row.
Conclusion
The verdict for the claim is Partially True. While Japan is one of only two G7 countries that retains capital punishment, it did not carry out any executions in 2023, which distinguishes its current status from that of the United States. This nuance is critical in understanding the broader context of capital punishment in Japan.
