hi everyone.
how are you...
today (in japan time), the last episode of majo saiban will air, ep 10!! it's that time already...wow. it's been a pretty great drama, and toma's awesome as toru...i'm looking forward to seeing how it all ends...
ep9's ratings was 7.2. hopefully for the last episode, the ratings will go up to at least 9? remember how we were all so disappointed ep1 only got 9. who knew, it would turn out to be the highest rating majosai got?? =/ oh well. it's a late night drama and maybe cuz of the topic and (except for toma) not so attractive/famous cast, so...
u know what, although the saiban-in (lay judge) system went into effect on may 21, 2009, the first trials that will actually use lay judges/jurors will start in july. so right about now! after 65 yrs, the saiban-in system is back in japan. with this change, japan catch up to the other G8 nations, in terms of how their justice system works now. it's a big deal, right?? so i was curious (as i often am) about what ppl are saying about this system, and if they mentioned Majo Saiban at all (they didn't!), so i looked it up, and i found some interesting info!! turns out, in japan, they have a 99% conviction rate!! mostly cuz the judges are chummy with the lawyers and police...and also the police often force the suspect to confess. seems like police abuse is a common thing there. hmm. i would not wanna be a criminal there. well, anywhere, i don't wanna be a criminal, but now that i know all this, especially NOT IN JAPAN!!
seems like with this new jury system, trials might be more fair and quick... but then again, ppl are afraid the jurors will feel like they have to listen to what the judges say during deliberations and end up deciding the same way as they do anyway. i'm afraid of this happening too, but hopefully ppl will try to be fair and not just agree with everything the judges say. (in the usa, the jurors discuss and decide by themselves. but the judge can overrule it and change the verdict/alter the specifics of the sentence if s/he thinks the decision is wrong for certain reasons, i think?? not sure about this part. and i don't think i've ever heard of that happening...) and they can NEVER talk about the case ever, till death and beyond?! (in the usa, it's only DURING the trial that u can't talk about it.) ehhh... and about 65% of the public are against this system, mostly cuz they don't like judging others/they think it's gonna cause trouble for them. (here in the usa, i'm pretty sure we don't have problem judging others, it's just a pain in the neck for most of us cuz it takes up our precious time that could be better spent working or whatever.)
though i also don't like jury duty, but i have been a juror, and i do agree that jury service is so important to our justice system and our system of government. hopefully more and more japanese ppl could feel this way as they learn more about and take part in jury duty. (the picture on the right: this is how a jury would sit in the courtroom in the usa, off to the side, and taking notes. i like it this way better, rather in japan, where u all sit next to the judges up there, as if u are on the same level with them, if u know what i mean. and when u sit to the side, u don't have to be worried that some1 sees u almost fall asleep when it gets boring. lol. also, i don't need all the fancy computers and evidence shown on computer screens like in japan...not necessary.) well, if u wanna read about all this, here's some news i found. all the info i mentioned above, credits to these sites:http://www.moj.go.jp/ENGLISH/issues/issues03.html
[has a cute little chart that explains the process in very simple terms, and a pic from a cartoon that explains the system. haha.]
http://www.forbes.com/2009/06/16/japan-lay-judges-markets-equities-asia.html
["Challenges Abound For Japan's New Lay Judges." news about why this new system is controversial and hard to implement]
http://globalvoicesonline.org/2009/06/06/japan-the-curtain-rises-on-the-lay-judge-system/
[ppl in japan blog about why they don't support/do support this jury system. some of these ppl's comments are so negative or they don't understand how their participation in the justice system will actually improve it, help give the defendents a more fair trial... =/ ]
http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=63030
[very long article about how japan's justice system is flawed, how this jury system might help improve it, etc. **AT THE START IS A DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXACTLY HOW THE SAIBAN-IN SYSTEM WILL WORK.** notice that at least 1 professional judge must agree with the majority vote!! geez...they really thought this through, huh...they don't trust the jurors/want to give them too much power. haha.]
http://www.courtinfo.ca.gov/jury/index.htm
[for info about jury duty in the usa, go here. this is how it works in california, at least. might be some slight differences within diff states.]
ok, now that i got the boring stuff outta the way--
toma updates!! cool toma stuff from LJ this week. let's see...
TO BE CONTINUED...
hi hi! i'm back.
before talking about toma stuff, just wanna mention...
I JUST HEARD TODAY, THAT THE BACKSTREET BOYS ARE RELEASING A NEW CD THIS OCTOBER!!! TOMA'S BIRTHDAY MONTH!! WOW. I'M SURE TOMA WOULD BE SUPER HAPPY IF HE KNEW THIS. ^_^
and i read in the news today, HERE, that tokyo is the most expensive city for expatriates to live in, in the whole world. o__o whoa... living in 1 of the coolest cities in the world comes at a big price ne.
now for some cool toma LJ things!!! ^o^/
zehi~ please check them out.
http://community.livejournal.com/subliminalicon/35448.html
[subliminalicon: Well, my fangirling has apparently reached epic proportions, because I actually made a mood theme for Ikuta Toma. If you don't know who he is, what rock have you been hiding under?! here are links to the Wikipedia page on him, as well as the DramaWiki page on him. He's one of the boys of Johnny's Entertainment, and he's friends with Yamapi. He's been in a ton of Japanese dramas, currently Hachimitsu to Clover, where he plays the lead role. He also sings (pretty damned well), and he even acts in stage plays. Adorable! He's an amazing actor, and he's really expressive, so he was perfect for a mood theme subject. ;D]
this is awesomeness!! seen some LJ ppl use it, but not until now did i actually remember to try to find the source. though i don't have a plus account and can't use it at LJ, but i still downloaded to check out all the toma moods. heehee. and i can use it here!! sugehhhh.
http://community.livejournal.com/toma_gallery/12374.html#cutid1
[Wink Up, Duet & Potato August 2009 scans]
toma + poodle puppy = ♥♥♥!! ~_~http://xdustbunnys.livejournal.com/43565.html
[about toma's guesting on VVV6 (1st johnnys to be there!), he likes women like Ishida Yuriko (the majo in majosai!), etc.]
http://xdustbunnys.livejournal.com/44355.html
[Ikita Kotoba 0908 Vol 70. toma's encounter w/a dazai fan; why he didn't tell her who he is; why he went into maou mode!! ^_^]
GO TO xdustbunnys' LJ OFTEN TO READ ABOUT VARIOUS INFO ABOUT HIM FILMING FOR THE MOVIE...DAMN, I'M SO JEALOUS OF THESE PPL WHO GOT TO SEE TOMA IN PUBLIC/WHILE FILMING. @_@ THANKFUL for their fan reports, but still, ENVIOUS!!! SO SO SO LUCKY they got to see toma in person.
http://saladesu.livejournal.com/16908.html
[saladesu: Myojo (Jul 09) - TOMA "When it comes to fashion,
let's fight with intuition rather than trends!"]
translation of a magazine article. toma is always so fasionable ne.
i learned some new things about toma. =D
http://community.livejournal.com/ikuta_toma/436385.html
[PLEASE VOTE FOR TOMA & MAJOSAI!! THANK YOU~! i've voted!]
also, here's some general news about toma's movie, No Longer Human. oh, i didn't know his character is supposed to be from a rich family! no wonder the filming location pics i've seen look so nice...toma, u would really read the novel 100 times if the director hadn't stopped u??? ~_~ he's so dedicated neeee~
http://asianfanatics.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=668499&st
Johnny's talent Toma Ikuta gets big chance with 'No Longer Human',
Friday July 10, 2009 Japan
mood: irritated [credit: subliminalicon]music: IT'S MY LIFE, bon jovi
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