Under the system, six randomly selected citizens will work as lay judges alongside three professional judges to deliver joint verdicts in trials involving serious crimes, including murder and deadly assault.

The citizens, who will be selected from among eligible voters age 20 and older, will be duty-bound to join the bench for these criminal trials.

The move is aimed at deepening public understanding of and support for the nation's justice system, as well as allowing court decisions to reflect the sentiments of people outside professional judicial circles, Justice Minister Daizo Nozawa said.

The Japan Times Weekly: May 29, 2004
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