ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the attempts to implement the jury system in occupied Japan and Okinawa. It begins by looking at the historical background and outlining the major developments in mainland Japan and Okinawa following the conclusion of World War II, and then turns to the case of mainland Japan. This discussion first briefly describes the major legal reforms that were carried out under the Allied occupation and then outlines the proposals to introduce the jury system in post-war Japan authored by individuals and organizations, by the Japanese government, and by the lawyers working for the Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers (SCAP). The next section focuses on the experience of occupied Okinawa with jury trials. It describes the political and judicial structure established in Okinawa under the occupation and outlines the features of the civil and criminal jury systems that were implemented on the islands, followed by a summary of two cases tried by jury in Okinawa. The concluding sections analyze the experiences of Japan and Okinawa with the institution of jury service and summarize the findings of this chapter.
