A Novel Perspective on the Contributions of Legal Outsiders in Japanese Criminal Justice (Won an Honorary Mention by the 2020 ALSA Distinguished Book Award Committee)

Abstract

Erik Herber ’ s latest book, Lay and Expert Contributions to Japanese Criminal Justice , provides us with a novel perspective on the recent drastic reform of the Japanese criminal proceedings, including the introduction of the victim participation system and the lay-judge ( sai-ban-in ) system. The author focuses on the roles and contributions of non-legal professionals in Japanese criminal justice and in particular on the recent social and legal changes that either gave birth to or affected the roles played by these “ outsiders. ” In this book review, first, the reviewer introduces the book in brief; second, examines “ legal outsider ” or “ lay (individuals) ” as the key concept of the book; and third, suggests the possible ways for promoting the development of the research in the book