Sitting on the box Chobatsu literally means punishment, but the word commonly refers to the practice of putting prisoners in isolation and forcing them to sit on a small plywood box with a 5-inch ledge in the rear that makes it painful to lean back. During chobatsu , a prisoner's cell is completely emptied and the windows are covered. He is made to sit rigidly on the box, knees together, elbows tucked in, hands flat on his thighs, feet on the floor, staring at the wall for 12 hours a day. An inmate can get off the box for meals but must get back on immediately. He can take a shower after 10 days.
Guards shout if they see even one finger out of alignment.
Crittenden said he had to sit like this for 20 days. The Japanese contend that the strict discipline and isolation are meant to elicit remorse and prompt prisoners to reflect and change their ways. Several former prisoners said chobatsu was administered for just about any infraction, from opening their eyes to talking in the factory bathroom. Inc. All rights reserved.