Japan to pardon half a mil. criminals on occasion of imperial ceremony english.kyodonews.net

KYODO NEWS - 13 hours ago - 15:10 | All, JapanThe Japanese government officially decided Friday to pardon around 550,000 petty criminals on the occasion of Emperor Naruhito's enthronement ceremony next week.
The pardons, under an ordinance to be promulgated, Tuesday will involve those found guilty of minor infractions at least three years ago.
It will also reverse a temporary prohibition on violators being eligible for national licenses, and restore civil rights.
More than 10 million people received amnesty and had their civil rights restored in 1989 to mark the death of Emperor Hirohito, posthumously known as Emperor Showa.
Around 430 election law violators are also expected to have their civil rights restored this time, unlike in 1993 when criticism abounded that such pardons were politically motivated.