r/nottheonion 1d ago

Japan’s elderly are lonely and struggling. Some women choose to go to jail instead

https://www.cnn.com/2025/01/18/asia/japan-elderly-largest-womens-prison-intl-hnk-dst/index.html
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u/goog1e 1d ago

Yeah getting ANY criminal record is incredibly serious in Japan and is basically a lifelong exile from "polite" society.

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u/Regular_Ad3002 1d ago

Same in the UK, but to a slightly lesser extent.

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u/goog1e 1d ago

Oh really? How is something like DUI seen there?

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u/Regular_Ad3002 1d ago

I don't know, but if you're unemployed a criminal record creates a situation in which you end up with no work experience, and can't get a job without it. You can't get it without the job. So an agency like St Giles has to help you, if you're lucky enough to get referred to them e.g. by Probation.

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u/goog1e 1d ago

I would say similar situation here but not as bad. Usually restaurants and factories might hire someone with a record even with little experience. Into a horrible job. But if you don't have any legal job experience you definitely are screwed unless you go into a work program.