For the Victims of Crimes

Hokkaido Prefectural Police
Revised March 2022

Introduction
This brochure is to inform crime victims andtheir families of…
○○○

Procedures of investigations and court trials,
and administrative steps taken towardcriminals
Police requests to victims for cooperation in
investigations
Services available to victims

Please feel free to contact the persons in charge if
you would like more information.

Persons in charge

Police Station

Police Station

Division

Division

SectionSection

Name

Name

Phone

Phone

Extension

Extension

Table of Contents
１

Outline of Criminal Procedures

１

２

Requests for Cooperation during Investigation

６３

Effects on Mind and Body of Victims

８４Services Available for Crime Victims

11

５

Contact Information for Consultation18

Website of Hokkaido Prefectural Police

https://www.police.pref.hokkaido.lg.jp

For locations of all prefectural counseling services, pleaserefer to the website of the National Police Agency,
Victim Support Officehttps://www.npa.go.jp/higaisya/

１

Outline of Criminal Procedures
Criminal procedure refers to the process of identifying the suspect andcrime, and determining the punishment, and is divided into three major
categories: investigation, indictment, and court trial.
These procedures differ for adults and juveniles.

Investigation

Indictment

Trial（Police)（Prosecutor’s office）（Court）

Adult suspects
Investigation
The investigation involves apprehending the suspect,
gathering evidence, and discovering the facts of thecrimes.
The suspect, or “higisha”, is the person who the police,
through evidence, have determined is the offender.
When necessary, the police will hand over thesuspect to the prosecutor within 48 hours after thearrest. This is called “souchi” in Japanese, but themedia may refer to it as “souken”.
If the prosecutor decides that the suspect should be
detained longer, they will make a detainment request
to the court within the first 24 hours. This detainmentis called a ”kouryu”.

If the judge grants permission for the request, the suspect may be detained further for a
maximum of 20 days.
The police will conduct various other investigations during this extended period.
If there is no flight risk, the police will interrogate the suspect without arrest, and after collecting
evidence, will send the results of the investigation to the prosecutor.

1

Indictment
During detainment, the prosecutor will examine thedocuments and evidence the police have gathered,interrogate the suspect when necessary, anddetermine whether to proceed to trial.
The suspect who is indicted will go to trial. This is called“kiso”. If the suspect is not indicted and will not go totrail, it is called “hukiso”.
The indicted suspect, or defendant, is called “hikokunin”.
There are two types of indictment requests. One is for a
public trial, which is a regular open court hearing, andthe other is for a summary order, which asks for only atrial by documentary examination for certain minor
offences. .
When the criminal incident is forwarded without thesuspect being arrested, the prosecutor will conduct
the necessary investigations and will determine
whether a trial is necessary.

Trial
After the suspect is indicted and the court date decided, thetrial will be held and the verdict handed down.
If the defendant or prosecutor is not satisfied with the verdict,they may appeal to a higher court, such as the High Court.

Notes

2

When the suspect is an adult
Incident & Reporting to Police
Cooperation requested of victim:

PoliceQuestioning and drafting of victim’s
statement
Submitting evidence
Case scene investigation

Investigation
Identifying the suspect

Compulsory investigation (Arrest)

Non-compulsory investigation
May be released and become
non-compulsory investigation

Case to prosecutor
with arrest

Case to prosecutor
without arrest

Prosecutor
If the prosecutor decides the arrested suspect must be detained further,
they will request permission from the court.
At this time, the prosecutor will investigate the incident once again.

Indictment

No indictment
Request for public trial

Request forsummary order

Court※ Examination of
documents

Summary order※

Procedure for penalty orfine without trial

Notes
Trial

Sentencing※ Appeal to higher court if
defendant or prosecutor
is not satisfied with verdict3

When the suspect is between 14 and 19
Hearing

Investigation
The police will investigate according tocriminal procedures if the juvenile suspectis 14 years old or older.
If the crime is serious and requires hardlabor or imprisonment, the case will besent to the prosecutor.
After interrogation, the prosecutor will
send the case to family court withsuggestions for punishment.
If the offense is minor and the punishment
is a fine or less than a fine, the police will
send the case directly to family court.

The family court will decide whether to hold a casehearing (“shinpan”), which is the equivalent of a trial
in an official criminal procedure.
If, during the process, the juvenile shows ample
reform and the courts decide that he/she does notneed to appear at the hearing, the case will be closed.
This is called a “shinpan hukaishi” .
If the court decides that a judge must hear the casedirectly in order to decide the punishment,
procedures will be arranged for a hearing.
At the hearing, the judge will decide whether to put
the juvenile on probation (house the child at areformatory for correctional education, or place thechild within society under the combined supervisionof a probation officer and probation worker in orderto prevent the recurrence of delinquency and torehabilitate) or, if protective measures are notrequired, not adjudicate a disposition.
If the juvenile has committed a serious crime and thecourt decides that he/she should be processed as anadult, the case will be returned to the prosecutor.
In such cases, as a rule, the juvenile will be put
through a regular trial and the punishment decided.

When the suspect is under 14

Investigation

Child guidance center

Since by Japanese law, no child under 14
may be legally penalized, all necessary
investigations will be done by police.
Although the police may not arrest thechild, they may take other forcible
measures such as search and seizure.
After the investigation, the police caneither report the case to the childguidance center or send the case to thechild guidance center if they decide thatthe family court should hold a hearing.

When the child guidance center receives a case orreport, they will proceed in accordance with thechild welfare law, such as committing the child to achildren’s self-reliance support facility or placing
them in foster care. If the center decides that ahearing is necessary, they will send the case to thefamily court.
As a rule, the child guidance center must send allcases sent by police to family court.
The family court will then decide whether the caseshould proceed to a hearing equivalent to that forjuveniles 14 or older.

4

Steps in criminal procedure cases - Juvenile offences
PoliceIdentify offender
Under 14Between １４ and 19

Investigation

Non-compulsory investigation

Case reported or sent
※ Serious crimes or cases requiring family
court hearings will be sent

Compulsory investigation (Arrest)

Prosecution papers
sent without suspect

Suspect sent
Punishment of hard labor or
imprisonment

Child guidance center

Procedures based onchild welfare law

Punishment of fineor less than fineCase sent

Prosecutor’s office

No arrest incase

Arrest of suspect incase

Detention orprobation

Family court
Protective measures
such as trial
probation

Case sent toprosecutor

Investigation

No hearing

Hearing

No disposition

Protective
measures

Probation

Prosecutor’s office
Indictment
Summary order request

Public trial request

Sent to institution

Trial

Sent tojuvenile training school

Court
Summary order

Sentencing

5

２

Requests for Cooperation during Investigation
During our detective procedures, we will be requesting cooperation from crime victims, which
may become a burden for some.
However, we ask for your understanding and help in order to apprehend and penalize theoffender, in addition to preventing further crime upon other victims.
The specifics of the investigations are listed below.

Interview
The officer in charge will ask about the circumstances of the incident and about the offender.
There may be details which you may not want to remember or reveal, but this is an important
procedure that could help identify the offender and find evidence.
The more precise the details, the more efficient the investigation will be, which in turn will lead tothe speedy arrest of the offender, so we would appreciate your full cooperation.
You may worry that, by disclosing information to the police, the offender may retaliate. However,
we will take extra measures to protect you so that you are safe from any further harm by theoffender.
Please refer to page 12 for more information.

Case scene investigation
The police may ask you to be present at the scene of investigation.
This investigation is called “jikkyo kenbun”.
This may take some time, but the inspection is necessary to collect the facts and find evidence ofthe crime.
During the investigation, the police may use props to recreate the crime scene and take photos
to keep a record of the investigation. We would appreciate your understanding in this.

Doctor’s examination at hospital
If you are injured during the assault, you may need to
produce a medical statement from a doctor for proof.
Sex crimes may necessitate a gynecological exam toprovide emergency contraception and examination forsexually transmitted diseases, in addition to helping collectthe offender’s bodily fluids. This information will be
important evidence, so we would appreciate yourcooperation.
The collected evidence may lead to identifying the suspect
through DNA testing.
In Japan, there is a system that covers the fees for the first
visit, medical examination, emergency contraception, andSTD exam at the doctor’s office, so please ask the police
officer in charge for the information.

6

Submitting evidence
The police will need to collect the clothing and other possessions of the victim at the timeof the assault In order to identify the perpetrator and determine the crime.
This is important evidence, so we would appreciate your cooperation.
Items that do not need to be stored forevidence will be returned before the trial.
This is called “kampu”.
If the owner needs any of the items, theevidence may be returned temporarily
even if they still need to be stored. This iscalled “kari-kampu”.
For items the owner does not wish to havereturned, he/she may fill out documents towaive ownership, and they will be discarded
when no longer needed. This is called “shoyuken houki”.

Prosecutor’s interview

Notes

The prosecutor may also interview you about
the incident after the police questioning.
Some of the questions will be repetitions of thepolice questions so that the prosecutor candetermine whether to indict or not indict theaccused. This is a very important step, so we ask
for your patience and understanding.

Testimony in court
The police may ask you to testify in court toprovide evidence for the crime. This is called“shonin jinmon”.
There are various court systems. Please refer topage 16 for "Programs available at trial."7３

Effects on Mind and Body of Victims

Impact on mind and body
The mind and body of the victim will go through many responses after the crime.
Anyone can become a victim, and each person’s responses will differ. Time can also playa factor in the way responses occur.

Possible responses
Numbness and loss ofemotion (No fear or pain)
Disbelief
Feeling of detachment fromincident

Mind goes blank(Stunned andcannot think)

Effects on the mind
Various emotions, such asfear, anger, anxiety andguilt

Indifference(Cannot enjoy anything andno interest)

No desire to live
Wishing to die

Thoughts of assault being
repeated (Flashbacks)

Insomnia and nightmares

Sudden crying for no reason

VertigoEffects on the body
No appetite or overeating
for comfort

Fatigue and sluggishness

Nausea and/or
vomiting
Upset stomach

Palpitations
Hyperventilating

8

Changes in thinking
Assaults also cause changes in thoughts and actions.

I’m to blame for the assault.

I’m weak. I can’t doanything right.

I’m nothing now. I can’t be
my old self anymore.

I’ll never be happy
again.

I want to die.
I don’t want to live
anymore.

I can’t be like everyone
else anymore.

Caring for yourself
Being an assault victim may cause you to became anxious or depressed, and you
may find that you cannot care for yourself because of everything you need to deal
with. Please try to find time to attend to your own needs.
○

You are hurt and in great pain because the incident was serious, and not because
you are weak. Do not blame yourself.

○

You may feel that the incident was your fault, but absolutely nothing gives thecriminal the right to assault anyone. The perpetrator is to blame for everything, so
make sure you tell yourself that.

○

It may be difficult to control your emotions and live your life again as it was, butthat is normal. Try not to rush yourself. Take it one step at a time.

○

It is excruciating to hold fear, sadness, and worries within yourself without any
help. Find someone you can trust and talk to them. They may help alleviate youranxieties.

○

Try going back to your regular routines of eating, taking baths, and sleeping.
There is no rush. Start slowly and get your rest when your body needs it.

○

It may be difficult to go to school or to work, and even if you do, you may not beable to accomplish what you want. Take it slow and don’t push yourself.

To help victims of crimes and their families, the police provide
counseling through psychology specialists who can help those
who need assistance recovering from trauma.
99

To the victim’s families and friends
What you can do○ Always be there for the victim. He/She needs someone they can trust completely.
○ Listen to the victim and try to understand him/her.
○ Tell the victim that he/she is not to blame, that you believe in them, and that you
want to help them as much as possible. Gently give them assurance.

○ Make sure he/she is living a healthy life. Check whether they are eating and sleeping
right.
○ Family and friends also need support. Contact support organizations
for yourself if you need to.

To avoid hurting the victim any further
If friends and family vent their frustrations toward the victim, the victim may feel
rejected and believe that no one understands. This could lead to them not being
able to trust anyone and closing themselves off.
To avoid this, keep the following in mind when talking to the victim.

○ Do not ignore or show dislike for what the victim is saying. You may not feel
comfortable with what they are saying, but the pain of the victim is greater.

○ You may want to say that the victim’s story could not be true or that it is notbelievable, but do not contradict or reject what he/she is saying.
○ Do not guilt the victim by saying that he/she was careless or that he/she could haveavoided the incident.
○ It is important to be mindful of the feelings of the victim and give them space. Do notstrongly encourage them, tell them to do something specific, or lecture them.
○

A person does not recover from unstable conditions easily. It takes time.
Do not rush the victim but prepare to support and help them long term.

10４Services available for crime victims
Police support programs for victims
Victim support personnel systems
In addition to investigation officers, the police provide designated police officers in the following
systems for victims of serious incidents such as murder, sex crimes, physical injuries, hit-and-runs,
and fatal traffic accidents.

Officers will…
・Help arrange hospital visits, accompany to and from
hospital, talk to the doctor
・Be by victim’s side during questioning and case scene
investigations
・Answer questions
・Accompany to and from home

Officers will also…
・Explain criminal proceedings and trial
・Refer to, contact, and make arrangements withvarious organizations
・Explain the necessity of counseling・Explain the benefit programs available to crime
victims

Victim notification program
The officers in charge provide prompt and accurate information of the investigations
for victims of serious incidents such as murder, sex crimes, physical injuries, hit-and-runs,
and fatal traffic accidents through this program.

Criminal procedures andprograms for crime
victims

Status of investigation

Status on arrest ofsuspect

Status of disposition

11

Measures to prevent recurrences and to provide protection

If the victim’s life or well-being could be in danger because of the perpetrator’s
repeated assaults, the police will provide appropriate guidance for crime
prevention and/or precautionary measures.
If required, the police will provide information about the release or acquittal of
the perpetrator to aid in the safety of the victim.
If the perpetrator is a Japanese mafia “boryokudan" member or a person related,
and there could be retaliation, the police will provide appropriate protective
measures to prevent further harm.
Please make sure to contact the police immediately if the perpetrator or mafia
members threaten you with harm to your life or well-being.

Protection at shelter

If the victim and their family need to be isolated from the offender in cases such as
domestic violence, stalking, and child abuse, the police will work with organizations
such as shelters for temporary accommodation to protect the abused.

Notes

12

Public burden programs
The police provide the following financial aids to reduce the mental andeconomic burdens on victims.
○
○
○
○
○
○

Medical fees for sex crime victims
Medical certificate fees for physical crime victims
Rental fees for temporary protection facilities
Expenses for temporary shelters of domestic violence and stalking victims
Restoration and transfer fees for families of victims who undergo forensic autopsies
Medical fees incurred at mental facilities for victims who develop serious psychologicalconditions because of crimes○ House cleaning fees for damages within the residences of crimes that occur in homes※

Please contact the police officer in charge for the individual requirements for payment.

Financial aid systems for crime victims
For families of victims who have died from deliberate crimes, or for victims who have acquired
serious injuries or disorders or have lasting physical impediments because of crimes, theJapanese government provides financial aid if the victims cannot receive sufficient payment
from national insurance such as workers’ compensation or obtain damages from theperpetrator.
The following are the benefits and are all one-time payments.
Please apply at the public safety commission in the prefecture where you reside.

Surviving family benefits
Paid to the family of the victim, in the following order of priority: (1) spouse, (2) child, (3) parent,(4) grandchild, (5) grandparent, (6) sibling.

Severe injury or illness benefits
Paid to victim who has acquired a serious injury or illness (injury or illness that requires
medical treatment of one month or more and at least three days of hospitalization, or
mental illness that requires medical treatment of one month or more and impedes work forat least three days). The sum (maximum 1.2 million yen) takes into account the medical fees
not covered by insurance and the financial losses incurred from leave of absence.

Disability benefits
Paid to victims who become disabled (disability levels 1-14).
※ There is a deadline to apply for the benefits, and some or all of the fees may not be paid
depending on the requirements. Please contact the officer in charge or police headquarters
for more information.

13

Other support programs that are available
System of officers that support victims at prosecutor's officeVictim support officers who work at the prosecutor’s office offer the following to assist in
easing the burdens and concerns of victims.
○
○
○
○
○

Give advice regarding questions
Direct or accompany to court
Advise and inform about inspection of case records
Assist in procedures related to return of evidence
Refer to related agencies and organizations※

Please refer to “Victim Hotline” on page 19 for more information.

Victim Notification Program(Ministry of Justice organizations)
If the victim wishes, the prosecutor's office, juvenile training school, regional paroleboard, or probation office will provide information about the punishment, verdictof the criminal trial (juvenile hearing), and/or the present status of the offender
after the guilty verdict.

Information available○ Outcome of case
○ Place and date of trial○ Trial or hearing verdict○ Offender's custody details, indicted facts, overview of reasons for non-indictment,
and related issues○ Date of completion of incarceration○ Information related to present condition of offender at prison or juvenile training
school where he/she is serving○ Information related to parole or release from prison or institution○ Information related to present condition of offender during probation※

Please contact the prosecutor in charge or the relevant organizations forfurther information.

14

Attending the trial and receiving notifications in cases
where the offender is mentally ill
If it is determined that the person who has harmed others in a serious crime (murder, arson,etc.) is mentally ill and the offender is not indicted or is found not guilty, the prosecution will
request a trial to the court to determine the necessity of medical treatment for the offender.
The court will then conduct a trial and decide whether the offender should be hospitalized
or made to get treatment as an outpatient.
The victim, victim’s family, or friends may request to observe the trial, and may receive
notification from the court on the verdict.

※Please contact the prosecutor in charge or the court for more information.

Appealing to the Committee for theInquest of Prosecution for review
Although the prosecution will indict when they determine through investigationthat the offender must be punished, there are instances in which the prosecutor
decides not to indict (non-indictment).
The Committee for the Inquest of Prosecution, which is located at all district courts
and most district court branches, is a judicial body that examines non-indictments todetermine whether they are appropriate sentences.
If the committee receives a request of appeal from victims, accusers, or complainants,
they will examine the details of the incident.
There is no charge for appealing to the Committee for the Inquest of Prosecution.
※

Please contact your nearest Committee for the Inquest of Prosecution for
more information.

Notes

15

Programs available at trials
The victims of crime and their families may be asked to testify as witnesses duringcriminal or civil court proceedings.
The following programs are available to help victims at that time.
ProgramContent

Contact

Inspection and copyingof case records

Court records may be inspected or copied following thefirst trial session.

Prosecutor’s
office or
court

Nondisclosure of victim
information

Names and addresses can be concealed at public trials forcertain incidents such as sexual crimes.

Prosecutor’s
officeStatement of opinions attrialsIn criminal court, victims may state their opinions andfeelings that relate to the crime.

Prosecutor’s
officePriority attendance attrialsIf the victim wishes, the court will give priority toattendance at the trials.

Court

Criminal settlement

If the victim and offender agree to a settlement outsideof court, the agreement may be recorded in the court
statement so that a civil suit may be eliminated.

Court or

Attendance of victims

Victims and family members of deliberate crimes such as
murders and serious offences where the person is killed
or injured may, upon gaining permission from court,
attend criminal trials. Attendees may be compensated fortheir travel (transportation) fees, daily wages, and lodging
expenses.

Prosecutor’s
office, etc.

Court–appointed
defense counsel

If attendees lack funds, the government can provide legal
fees and compensation so a lawyer can be appointed.

Japan Legal
SupportCenter(Houterasu)

Measures to relieve
concerns and anxieties
of witnesses

The following measures may be taken in cases where
victims need to testify in court.
○ Accompanying by family members or counsellors○ Putting up screen to block the views of the
defendant and spectators○ Testifying via monitor from different room

Prosecutor’s
officeCompensation ofdamages

Victims of deliberate crimes such as murders and otherserious offences where the person is killed or injured may
utilize the outcome of criminal procedures to easily andquickly resolve issues related to compensation ofdamages.

Court

16

prosecutor’s
officePrograms available for juvenile crimes
The following programs are available for victims and the families of juvenile crimes.
Contact

ProgramContent

Inspection and copyingof case records

Following the decision at the hearing, court records of thejuvenile crime (excluding inspection records of thejuvenile’s protection requirements) may be inspected or
copied.

Familycourt

Opinion hearing

Victims may state their opinions and feelings that relate
to the crime to the judge or family court officer.

Familycourt

Attendance at juvenile
hearing

Victims of deliberate crimes such as murders and otherserious offences where the person is killed or injured may
be able to attend the hearings.
※ Injury cases include only those that are lifethreatening.
※ Juvenile cases under 12 are excluded.

Familycourt

Explanation of hearing
status

The family court will inform victims about the status of
the hearings.

Familycourt

Notification of hearing
verdict

The family court will notify victims of the verdict of thejuvenile hearing.

Familycourt

Notification after
hearing

After the juvenile offender has been sentenced toundergo protective measures, victims may be notified ofthe education he/she is receiving at the juvenile training
school or of the conditions of the juvenile underprobation.

Juvenile
detention
facility or
probation
officePrograms related to rehabilitation of offenders
ProgramOpinion hearing

Conveying status andfeelings

Content

Contact

If the offender is sent to a criminal facility or juvenile
training school, when the district parole board convenes
to decide on the offender’s parole or provisional release,the victim may attend to express opinions and feelings.

Probation
officeIf the offender is under probation, the probation officer
will document the victim’s thoughts and feelings and theirstatus, in addition to the lifestyle and conduct of theoffender, and report it to the offender.
This is a supervising guidance method to confront theoffender with reality and encourage him/her to reflect
upon the crime and feel greater remorse.

17

Probation
office５

Organizations for Consultations Services
Police locations
The following locations have special consultation services for victims and families.
□ General consultation service for various questions○ Hokkaido Police Headquarters○ Police Headquarters Consultation Center〇 Hakodate Headquarters Consultation Center○ Asahikawa Headquarters Consultation Center○ Kushiro Headquarters Consultation Center○ Kitami Headquarters Consultation Center※ Speed dial for consultation ＃9110
□

□

□

□

TEL 011-251-0110
TEL 011-241-9110
TEL 0138-51-9110
TEL 0166-34-9110
TEL 0154-23-9110
TEL 0157-24-9110

Crime victim support center（for issues related to benefits for victims）〇 Hokkaido Police HQ, Administrative Division, Victim Support Office○ Hakodate HQ, Administrative Division, Unit One○ Asahikawa HQ, Administrative Division, Unit One○ Kushiro HQ, Administrative Division, Unit One○ Kitami HQ, Administrative Division, Unit One

TEL 011-251-0110
TEL 0138-31-0110
TEL 0166-35-0110
TEL 0154-25-0110
TEL 0157-24-0110

Consultation service for juvenile victims○ Juvenile Consultation 110

TEL 0120-677-110

Consultation service for crimes related to Japanese boryokudan mafia○ Boryokudan Consultation

TEL 011-222-0200

Consultation service for sexual crimes〇 Sex Crime Consultation 110
Toll-free number

TEL #8103(Heart-san)
TEL 0120-756-310※If the above numbers are busy, call…
Land line
TEL 011-242-0310
TEL 0138-54-9310（Hakodate）
TEL 0166-34-5000（Asahikawa）
TEL 0154-24-0310（Kushiro）
TEL 0157-22-0310（Kitami）

Website of Hokkaido Prefectural Police
https://www.police.pref.hokkaido.lg.jp

18

Prosecutor locations
For easy access to counseling for victims and/or questions about the crimes, the prosecutor’s office ineach district provides a special victim hotline.
The hotline is accessible 24 hours a day, with answering machine and fax services during the night
and on holidays.
□ Victim hotlines○ Sapporo Prosecutor's Office○ Hakodate Prosecutor's Office○ Asahikawa Prosecutor's Office○ Kushiro Prosecutor's Office
Prosecutor's Office Website:

TEL（FAX）011-261-9370
TEL（FAX）0138-41-1655
TEL（FAX）0166-51-6259
TEL（FAX）0154-41-6133

http://www.kensatsu.go.jp/higaisha/index.htm

Probation locations
The probation offices in each district have officials and probation officers in charge of victims,
who consult and answer questions of victims who call or visit, and explain and introduce
services available.
□ Probation offices in Hokkaido○ Sapporo probation office
TEL 011-261-9228○ Hakodate probation office TEL 0138-24-2112○ Asahikawa probation office TEL 0166-59-2068○ Kushiro probation office
TEL 0154-23-3207
Ministry of Justice, Probation-related Victim Support Center Website

http://www.moj.go.jp/HOGO/victim.html

Ministry of Justice Human Rights Organizations
All national and district legal affairs bureaus and their branch offices provide consultation
services to which victims of crimes may go to talk to civil rights commissioners about humanrights problems.
The commissioners will investigate the incidents in which the victims’ human rights havebeen violated and take appropriate measures.
□ Legal Affairs Bureau Human Rights Counseling Service○ Sapporo Legal Affairs Bureau
TEL 011-709-2311○ Hakodate Legal Affairs Bureau
TEL 0138-24-2132○ Asahikawa Legal Affairs Bureau
TEL 0166-38-1169○ Kushiro Legal Affairs Bureau
TEL 0154-31-5014
National and District Legal Affairs Bureau Human Rights Service Website

http://www.moj.go.jp/JINKEN/jinken113.html

19

Private victim support groups for immediate care
The Japanese public safety commission has designated non-profit organizations that can give
prompt care to victims of crimes as “Organizations for Immediate Care of Crime Victims.”
The designated organization in Hokkaido is the “Public Interest Incorporated Association, Hokkaido
Family Life General Counseling Center (Hokkaido Victim Consultation Office),” which provides
the following services.
● Phone, in–person, and email support and counseling● Accompanying to court, hospital, and police stations● Introducing medical facilities and attorneys familiar with victim support● Assisting in applying for various benefits for crime victims● Providing and lending crime-preventive devices such as buzzers※ Support may differ depending on area
For victims to not have to reiterate the incident, the police can provide the organization
with your information ahead of time.
※ Please inform the officer in charge if you would like your information given to theorganization beforehand.
□ Organizations for Immediate Care of Crime Victims○ Public Interest Incorporated Association, Hokkaido Family Life General Counseling Center(Hokkaido Victim Consultation Office)TEL 011-232-8740 Weekdays (except New Years and national holidays) 10:00am - 4:00pm□ Other private organizations for victim support○ Tomakomai Victim Consultation Office
TEL 0144-37-7830 Thursday (except New Years and national holidays) 1:00pm - 4:00pm○

Hakodate Victim Consultation Office
TEL 0138-43-8740 Wednesday (except New Years and national holidays) 10:00am - 3:00pm○

North Hokkaido Victim Consultation Office (Asahikawa)
TEL 0166-24-1900
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday (except New Years and national holidays) 10:00am – 3:00pm〇

Kushiro Victim Consultation Office
TEL 0154-24-6002
Tuesday, Friday (except New Years and national holidays) 10:30am – 2:30pm○

Okhotsk Victim Consultation Office (Kitami)
TEL 0157-25-1137 Weekdays (except New Years and national holidays) 8:45am – 5:30pm

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Anti-violence centers
The anti-violence center is actively involved in promoting the following activities to encourage
non-violent environments that are peaceful and safe.
・ Consultations related to violence・ Aid for victims, such as providing consolatory finances and interest-free loans for civil
litigation□ Hokkaido Anti-Violence Center, Non-Profit Incorporated○ Hokkaido Anti-Violence Center, Non-Profit Incorporated
TEL 011-271-5982
Websitehttp://h-botsui.or.jp

Spousal violence support and counseling centers
Spousal violence support and counseling centers offer the following services.
・ Counseling for domestic abuse, introducing appropriate facilities, and providing information
regarding protective orders
・ Temporary protective care for victims and family and acquiring use of facilities
・ Independence support for victims (everyday living and job, finding housing, schooling anddaycares for children, legal counseling)

Please contact the following centers for details.

Domestic Violence Counseling number (nationwide) ＃８００８（HA-RE-RE-BA)※

Will connect to your nearest spousal violence counseling and support center.

□ Counseling and support centers○ Hokkaido Women’s Counseling and Support Center TEL 011-666-9955○ Hokkaido Environment and Living Department, Safe Living Bureau, Living Division
TEL 011-221-6780○ Development Bureau, Environment and Living Department (all districts)○ Sapporo Spousal Violence Counseling Center
TEL 011-728-1234○ Sapporo Citizen Cultural Bureau, Gender Equality Office
TEL 011-211-3333○ Asahikawa Spousal Violence Counseling and Support Center TEL 0166-25-6418○ Hakodate Spousal Violence Counseling and Support Center TEL 0138-21-3010※

Male victims of domestic violence may also call the following number.
Hokkaido Male Only Domestic Violence Counseling number
TEL 011-661-3210

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Sexual assault crisis support centers
The following are support centers for victims of sexual crimes and violence.
SACRACH (Sa-ku-ra-ko) is a center that the Hokkaido and Sapporo government offices
cosign to NPO Yuinet Hokkaido for operation, and SART (Saato) is a center that the
Hakodate government office consigns to NPO Women’s Net for operation.
Specially trained counselors for women operate the centers to support victims, incooperation with and together with medical institutions, lawyers, and police.
For further information, please contact the following.
□ Sexual Assault Crisis Relief Assist Center Hokkaido（SACRACH）○ Hotline
TEL 050-3786-0799
Weekdays (except New Years and holidays)10:00am - 8:00pm□ Hakodate and Southern Hokkaido SART（Sexual Assault Response Team）○ Hotline
TEL 0138-85-8825
Weekdays (except New Years and holidays)10:00am - 5:00pm□ Sexual Crimes and Violence Counseling Center○ Hotline
TEL #8891（Ha-Ya-Ku One Stop）
Will connect to your nearest support center.

Japan Legal Support Center (Houterasu)
The Japan Legal Support Center provides information concerning appropriate involvementin criminal proceedings and programs to help lessen grief and aid in recovery, and assists
in selecting court-appointed lawyers for victims.

□ Victim Support Numbers○ Victim Support Numbers○ Houterasu Sapporo○ Houterasu Hakodate○ Houterasu Asahikawa○ Houterasu Kushiro

TEL
TEL
TEL
TEL
TEL
Website22

0570-079714（Na-ku-ko-to-na-I-yo）
050-3383-5555
050-3383-5560
050-3383-5566
050-3383-5567

http://www.houterasu.or.jp

Bar Associations
Bar associations give legal counsel and advice on damage claims, and assist in court
proceedings.
Please contact your nearest bar association to find out if consultation fees are required.

□ Bar associations○ Sapporo Bar Association, Legal Consultation Center○ Hakodate Bar Association○ Asahikawa Bar Association○ Kushiro Bar Association

TEL 011-251-7730
TEL 0138-41-0232
TEL 0166-51-9527
TEL 0154-41-0214

Crime victims may call the Sapporo Bar Association Victim Support Committee free of charge.
〇 Crime Victim Defense LineTEL 011-251-7822（Mondays 10:30am - 12:30pm and Wednesdays 5:00pm - 7:00pm）

Crime victim aid fundThis foundation, which was established to assist the children of victims who died or wereseriously injured because of serious crimes, provides the following services.
・ Scholarships and school supply funds for students
・. Guidance and counseling for students
・. Other activities relevant to the purpose of the foundation.
□ Crime victim aid fund
○ Secretariat
WebsiteTEL 03-5226-1020
http://kyuenkikin.or.jp

General assistance at local public organizations
The Hokkaido government office and every city, ward, and town office has a counter where
victims can go for counseling for problems that occur because of crime. The staff will provide
information concerning the appropriate institutions and organizations and will serve as liaison
between the victims and the proper organizations.
Example） ・ Economic support and welfare programs・ Priority tenanting for public housing
Support will differ depending on municipality, so please contact your nearest government
office for further details.

23Notes24

～ For the Victims of Crimes ～Hokkaido Prefectural Police