Inside Japan’s “Hostage Justice” System: A Former Executive’s Harrowing Detention Experience
Japan’s criminal justice system,often referred to as “hostage justice”, has long been criticized for its prolonged detention practices aimed at extracting confessions. Fumihiko Kadokawa,the former president of KADOKAWA,recently shared his harrowing experience of being detained for seven months in connection wiht bribery charges tied to the Tokyo olympics and Paralympics scandal. His story, detailed in his new book Proof of humanity: 226 Days of Detention and My Right to Life, sheds light on the dehumanizing procedures and psychological toll of Japan’s justice system.
the Arrest: A Theatrical ritual
On September 14th, kadokawa was summoned to the Westin Hotel Tokyo in Ebisu for what he believed was a routine interrogation. Instead, he was met with a shocking arrest. “I’m under arrest,” declared Prosecutor Kuboniwa, as Kadokawa was handcuffed and bound with a brightly colored rope. the scene, he recalls, felt like a “ritual” designed to intimidate and disorient.
“The handcuffs were heavy, and the whole exchange was strangely theatrical,” Kadokawa writes. “It seemed like a ritual to make the suspect realize they were trapped.” Stripped of his belongings—his bag, wallet, and smartphone—he was left scrambling to contact his family or office. The arrest, he notes, felt like a rite of passage for the prosecutors, a way to assert dominance over the accused.
the Detention Center: A Loss of Dignity
Kadokawa was then transported to the Tokyo Detention Center, a sprawling grey facility housing approximately 3,000 suspects and prisoners. Upon arrival, he was subjected to a humiliating physical examination.Stripped naked, he was searched for scars, tattoos, and hidden objects, including a degrading inquiry about foreign objects inside his body.
“This treatment strips you of your self-respect,” Kadokawa reflects. “It’s the first baptism of the detention center ideology.” The experience, he says, was designed to break down the pride and dignity of those who had lived as law-abiding citizens.
The Broader Implications of “hostage Justice”
Kadokawa’s ordeal is not unique. Japan’s “hostage justice” system has been widely criticized for violating human rights, with suspects often held for extended periods without trial. The system, critics argue, pressures individuals into confessing to crimes they may not have committed, undermining the principles of due process and fair trial.
| Key Aspects of Japan’s “Hostage Justice” System |
|—————————————————–|
| Prolonged Detention | Suspects can be held for months without trial,often in solitary confinement. |
| Psychological Pressure | extended detention is used to extract confessions, irrespective of guilt. |
| Humiliating Procedures | Physical examinations and other degrading practices are common. |
| Lack of Due Process | Critics argue the system denies suspects their basic legal rights. |
Kadokawa’s story is a stark reminder of the human cost of this system. “They were deprived of their rights, and their anxiety was fueled by their long-term detention,” he writes. His book serves as both a personal account and a call for reform, urging Japan to address the systemic flaws that perpetuate injustice.
A Call for Change
As Kadokawa’s experience highlights, Japan’s criminal justice system remains in dire need of reform. The psychological and physical toll on detainees, coupled with the lack of clarity and accountability, raises serious concerns about the country’s commitment to human rights. For those like Kadokawa, the fight for justice extends beyond their own cases—it’s a fight to ensure no one else endures the same ordeal.
For more insights into Kadokawa’s journey, consider reading Proof of Humanity: 226 Days of Detention and My Right to Life, a powerful testament to resilience in the face of systemic injustice.
