Do you think the introduction of the "jury" system will work well in Japan?

Question

Japan is now introducing a "jury" system, though it actually seems more like extending the 3 judge panel system by adding regular citizens (unlike for example in the U.S. when the jurors are separate deciders from the judge who kind of umpires the process)

abstract from a New York times article:

Japan faces deep-rooted cultural obstacles as country prepares to adopt jury-style system in its courts in 2009; Japanese must overcome their reluctance to express opinions in public, to argue with one another and to question authority; to win over skeptical public, Japan's courts are holding 500 mock trials across country; polls show 80 percent of Japanese are dreading change and do not want to serve as jurors; that reluctance is evident even among mock jurors; under proposed new system, randomly chosen citizens will sit on bench next to judge, decide cases together and hand out sentences; supporters predict that direct involvement of ordinary citizens in judicial process will have far-reaching consequences for Japan's democracy; in new system, judges and jurors, with one vote each, will decide cases by simply majority;

opponents say change is unlikely because judges will overwhelm jurors; they call for American-styke jury system, which would separate argument-averse Japanese from judges

http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F00F10FC3D550C758DDDAE0894DF404482

Answer 1

If there's one thing the Japanese people excel at, it is inserting and defending their opinion amid a group. They throw rank and file hierarchies of all categories out the window in al of their interpersonal relations I'm sure the debate amongst jurors in Japanese courts will set new standards for critical thinking, challenging pre-conceived notions, and getting to the truth no matter how deeply it lies buried. Those Japanese judges will soon learn how little they thought they knew about justice!

Answer 2

I don't think it will work. It's an answer to a question that is not being asked. Most Japanese people are quite content to pay taxes to pay professionals to take care of the criminal justice system. In fact, the bench is one of the few institutions in Japan that "the people" trust. It would make a lot more sense to have citizen's advisory panels on say..public works bidding or expressway tolls, than expect lay people to hear about some squalid stabbing or whatever for days on end.

Answer 3

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Answer 4

No. In other countries, jurors are separete from the judges and certain professions are banned from being jurors because they could sway opinion on account of their expertise, eg. lawyers, police etc. Having the judge beside them will only serve to enhance the influence of the judge. This will especially be true if people do not want to be jurors. As an independent body, they will not work.

Answer 5

I don't think so. Japan haven't changed for last 60 years. It is just a "pose" towards citizen and the world. Actually ppl are already hating to attend the court.
Won't change a lot in the future. Japan always would go their own way.