Japan’s justice system has a conviction rate of 99.9%. Critics say that figure isn’t proof of prosecutorial skill but the result of a system known as “hostage justice” — prolonged detention, repeated interrogations and confessions forced under pressure.

In this episode of Japan Today Spotlight, we look at how hostage justice works, the cases of Carlos Ghosn and Iwao Hakamata, and whether recent reforms are changing the system.

⏱️ Chapters

00:00 Intro: Japan’s hostage justice exposed

01:17 The arrest: How hostage justice begins

03:03 Japan’s official defense of hostage justice

04:26 Slow reforms: Lawyers and video recording

05:38 Breaking down suspects inside detention

06:45 Iwao Hakamata: 45 years on death row

08:16 Carlos Ghosn: The daring escape

09:57 The fallout from Ghosn’s escape

11:18 Global criticism of Japan’s justice system

12:23 Outro: Guilty until proven innocent

📺 Watch the full video on YouTube: https://youtu.be/HZCrnIqDrLw

What do you think — is this really justice, or just a system built to secure confessions?