Japan's Cabinet Approves Revised Retrial Law

On 15 May, Japan’s cabinet formally approved a revision to the retrial law. The draft, prepared by the Ministry of Justice, was amended three times after criticism from the Liberal Democratic Party’s internal committee, resulting in a main‑text amendment, a supplemental amendment and a further supplemental amendment. The government’s version now proceeds to Diet debate, where opposition parties – including the Constitutional Democratic Party, the Democratic Party for the People and the Japanese Communist Party – have submitted their own alternative proposals.

The revised law seeks to tighten rules on evidence disclosure during retrials, a point highlighted by media such as Asahi Shimbun and Tokyo Shimbun. Lawmakers are expected to scrutinise the changes in the upcoming parliamentary session.