Hideyasu Yoshida

Hideyasu Yoshida is a Professor (non-tenure-track) at the School of Law, Toyo University. He is a practicing lawyer with the Tokyo Bar Association, bringing extensive real-world experience from his prior roles as a public prosecutor, criminal defense instructor at the Judicial Training Institute, and bar examination examiner for criminal procedure law.

• Former criminal defense instructor at the Judicial Training Institute
• Former examiner for the new bar exam (criminal procedure law)
• Former public prosecutor

His research centers on Criminal Law and Criminal Procedure Law, with specialized focus on practical defense mechanisms within Japan's judicial system. Key interests include:

• Defense strategies in criminal trials
• Trial transparency and public access to proceedings
• Human rights protections for defendants
• Implementation of Japan's lay judge system (saiban-in)
• State liability for judicial errors
• Witness examination protocols

Yoshida's publications reveal a consistent emphasis on bridging theoretical criminal procedure with courtroom practice. His recent works critically analyze Japan's judicial reforms since 2009, particularly examining tensions between trial efficiency and defendant rights. Recurring themes include witness examination accessibility for public observers, remedies for procedural violations, and practical guides for defense attorneys navigating the lay judge system. His 2016 book "Basic Criminal Defense Practice" serves as a foundational resource for Japanese legal practitioners.