Japan to pardon 600,000 criminals to mark Emperor Naruhito’s enthronement
- The pardons will involve those found guilty of minor infractions at least three years ago and fined, according to officials with knowledge of the plan
- About 2.5 million people were pardoned in 1990 to celebrate the ascension to the throne of Emperor Akihito, Naruhito’s father
Those pardoned are expected to have restrictions on their legal rights lifted – in Japan, those who are convicted and fined are banned from obtaining physicians’, nurses’ and some other licences for five years.
Asked about the government’s plan on amnesty, Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga told reporters, “We are currently considering the matter carefully. I refrain from commenting on details.”
Those sentenced to imprisonment or to penal servitude for committing serious crimes will not be considered out of concern for the victims. There will also be no general amnesty or commutation for those convicted.
Given that the pardons are expected to be granted regardless of criminal charges, election law violators are also likely to have their civil rights restored under the plan.
Separately, the government is expected to grant special individual pardons to those fined for minor infractions within the last three years.
More than 10 million people received amnesties and had their civil rights restored in 1989 to mark the death of Emperor Hirohito, posthumously known as Emperor Showa, while about 2.5 million people were pardoned in 1990 to celebrate his son Emperor Akihito’s ascension to the throne.
Additional reporting by Reuters
