Japan's Justice Minister Proposes New Evidence Restrictions in Civil Trials
By Editor • September 4, 2026 • 1 min read
In a significant move to safeguard the integrity of legal proceedings, Japan's Justice Minister Hiroshi Hiraguchi announced on Friday his intention to solicit recommendations from an advisory panel regarding amendments to the Code of Civil Procedure. This proposal aims to restrict the use of evidence presented in civil trials for purposes unrelated to the judicial process.
The request is set to be discussed during a meeting of the Legislative Council on September 14. The impetus for this potential change stems from recent incidents where video evidence submitted by the government in civil lawsuits concerning improper interrogations by prosecutors was not only played in court but also broadcast by various media outlets.
Hiraguchi's proposal seeks to limit the public dissemination of such recordings, addressing concerns over privacy and the potential misuse of evidence. This initiative highlights the growing need for a balanced approach to information sharing in the current digital age.
Source: www.japantimes.co.jp
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