LDP Split Over Japan Retrial Reform on Prosecutor Appeals

Overview

• The Liberal Democratic Party, which opened debate Tuesday, heard repeated calls to ban prosecutor appeals against orders to start a retrial.
• Justice Ministry officials outlined a bill based on a February advisory finding that keeps appeals for prosecutors.
• Lawmakers left the session without agreement on whether to retain that right to appeal.
• A cross-party group has a rival plan that would widen evidence disclosure to defendants and bar prosecutor appeals.
• Scrutiny rose after the Supreme Court cleared a retrial in the 1984 Hinocho murder case last month and posthumous photo negatives suggested key images were misdescribed.