On March 11, the Office for Promotion of Justice System Reform presented a draft proposal to the Committee on Lay Judges (Saiban-in) System and Criminal Affairs. This draft proposal included certain restrictions on coverage and news reporting regarding lay judges such as confidentiality obligations of lay judges, protection of lay judges' personal information and prohibition to contact lay judges. These restrictions raise concerns about the chilling effect on news reporting and adverse effects on the freedom of expression.
The JCLU is of the opinion that it is necessary to strengthen public scrutiny as the speeding up of criminal trials which is one of the goals of the Justice System Reform poses a risk to weaken the rights of the accused and defendants. The opinion announced by the JCLU opposes to the introduction of these restrictions and requests a close reconsideration of the issues.