Japan Hangs (Literally)

A Japanese radio station will broadcast a recording of a 1955 hanging as part of a wider project to raise awareness of the Japanese government's recent increase in hangings. This public education precedes Japan's implementation of a lay judge system next year. A lay judge system sees everyday citizens interacting with legal professionals (including regular judges) to hand down verdicts for serious crimes. Obviously Japan wants citizens to understand the severity of hanging, the preferred system of execution. Since last August Japan has hung 10 inmates. Japan's lay judge system is quite novel; such a system in the U.S. would draw fears of mob rule, especially in an otherwise politically lazy populace. Some American states still allow hangings (notably Utah) but the practice remains taboo to modern eyes.