If I understand correctly, in Japan if they bring charges it is because they have what it takes to convict the suspect. Once it get to the judges (no jury - a panel of judges decides) it is pretty much open and shut.
I have also read that Japanese prisons are not bad, but that the prisoners are isolated in their cell, no talking, etc.
Your right. In fact I had to visit our SOFA (Status of Forces Agreement) Prison once as we had a sailor that was running dope into the country through our mail system on ship.
He was prosecuted in the Japanese system and sentence to prison. Because he was armed forces he went to the SOFA prison rather then the normal one. I had to visit as he had decided to go on a “hunger strike”. Japanese waited a day or so and then brought in a big steak with mashed potatoes and gravy and left it in his room. Hunger strike over, I thanked them for their accommodations and addressing the issue so quickly andI returned to base.
The non-SOFA prison was only slightly different. Mainly the food. Rice and fish was the basic for most meals. Mandatory exercise and cleaning activities. Prisoners basically accept it for what it is - once they’ve finished they feel that they’ve regained some “face” for having ldone their time. Rare to hear of any upsets within the system like we have in ours.
At least that’s the way it was in the early 90s.