Reports

In 2020, Amnesty International recorded 483 cases of capital punishment worldwide; the true extent of execution is believed to be drastically higher. While China remains the country with the highest number of executions in 2020, the number of executions is considered a state secret, making the numbers unreliable. Amnesty International expects the true number to be higher by thousands (Amnesty International, 2021). Globally, a trend towards the abolishment of the death penalty can be witnessed; 75 percent of UN member states have abolished the practise. Japan is one of the few countries standing by it (Ogura, 2022). This article will explore the current developments in the country, national support and criticism for the practice, its unintended consequences, as well as its legality under national and international law.