A Comparative Study of the U.S. and Japanese Legal Systems

For my Global Issue Project, I made a documentary exploring the vast differences between the U.S. and Japanese legal systems through the lens of two high-profile cases, the Menendez brothers and Carlos Ghosn. I have always been intrigued by the Menendez brothers, who were convicted of murdering their parents in a case that caught the American public's eye and raised questions about family dynamics and justice. In contrast, Carlos Ghosn, former Nissan chairman, faced charges of financial misconduct in Japan, which led to a highly publicized escape from legal proceedings. I carefully researched both cases by watching testimonies, interviews, and documentaries. I then collected videos and photos to put into my documentary and added voiceovers. By examining these cases, I highlighted how cultural and legal differences shape the outcomes for defendants in each country, ultimately providing a deeper understanding of how justice is served in different cultural contexts.