Correlation between Vulnerability and Compassion: Why Do Some People Support Justice-Involved Youth in Japan?

• In Event: Attitudes about Protecting and Punishing Youth and Young Adults

Abstract

In Japan, real-name reporting of justice-involved youth has been considered an obstacle to their reentry into society because of the ensuing stigma attached to them. The discrimination caused by stigma extends not only to justice-involved youth, but also to their families. There is significant concern that such discrimination may intensify with the publication of the real names of the youth. Despite the concern, many public opinion polls indicate that the public desires information about the identities of justice-involved youth and is more likely to view real-name reporting as part of the consequences of their actions. However, our survey revealed that a specific vulnerable group of respondents is likely to oppose real-name reporting. Similar results were found in my interview research with those supporting the desistance of justice-involved youth and/or juvenile delinquents. This study explores the correlation between individual vulnerability and the sense of compassion, employing the contact theory as its framework.

Author

• Yoshie Udagawa, Nippon Institute for Research Advancement