Tradycja, religia, presja społeczna i fanatyzm – ewolucja percepcji zbrodni i kary w Japonii
Religion, tradition, and social pressure: The evolution of the perception of crime and punishment in Japan

Summary/Abstract: An article written by an “observer”, who, in accordance with the saying from the traditional Japanese game of go that “observers see more than players”, attempts to analyze the causes and methods of imposing penalties in Japan. The topic of the article is the evolution of the approach to crime and punishment from the Edo period (1603–1868) to modern times and the analysis of Japanese specifi city in this field. Direct observation of contemporary Japan shows that the approach to crime and punishment is strongly infl uenced by tradition, religion, social pressure, and fanaticism.In the process of imposing punishment, apology (shazai), resolution to make amends (hansei), and compensation (tsugunai) are still important. One can effectively atone for one’s offenses by offering a sincere and sufficiently humble apology. In addition to referring to religion, which infl uenced the understanding of the essence of crime and the social attitude towards crime and punishment in Japan, this article focuses on the unique social and cultural factors that most provide most insight into a society, such as the binary oppositions of individualism-collectivism and tightness-looseness, and other features of the Japanese context. Taking into account the factor of fanaticism, the article raises the issue of religious sects in the 1990s and their contemporary consequences.To achieve a goal and save face, the Japanese have been sacrificing individuals for the common good for centuries. Penalties were applied in such a way that they always took into account family and loved ones, and responsibility was understood collectively (rentai sekinin). The death penalty is still in force in Japan, but errors in its application are rarely exposed. Although life is not always lost, the punishment is a disgrace because it involves loss of face and no further prospects, even though modern legislation tries to provide opportunities for reintegration into society. Tradition, religion, social pressure, and fanaticism infl uence today’s generation in terms of predisposition to specifi c crimes, methods of imposing punishment, and articulating social condemnation.The article discusses criminogenic factors, crimes committed over the years, and the relationship between crime and punishment, including the death penalty, from a unique insider’s perspective, deepened by studies on this topic from Western and Japanese sources. On this basis, the specifi cs of the perception of crime and punishment in Japan are formulated.

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