criminal-law murder law-in-fiction sentencing japan
What is the minimum sentence for murder in Japan?
<p>In the Yakuza series, several characters are sent to jail for murder, but it's only ever for 10-15-ish years. I was wondering if this was at all realistic, since I'm only aware of people going to jail for murder for 50+ years.</p>
<p>For the record, the relevant jurisdiction is Tokyo, and the murders were evidently committed without justification (e.g. not in self-defence).</p>

<p><a href="https://www.japaneselawtranslation.go.jp/en/laws/view/3581#je_pt2ch28at1" rel="noreferrer">Article 199 of the Penal Code</a>, as it appears from changes up to 2017, says:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>人を殺した者は、死刑又は無期若しくは五年以上の懲役に処する。<p>A person who kills another person is punished by the death penalty or imprisonment for life or for a definite term of not less than 5 years.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>This is for homicide as opposed to other related crimes, and there are also effects on sentencing for someone who is guilty of multiple offences, for example. The term can be halved if there are sufficient extenuating circumstances, so 2.5 years seems to be the minimum. In any case, 10-15 years is within the range.</p>
