UNA F E I
UNITED NATIONS ASIA AND FAR EAST INSTITUTE

FOR THE PREVENTION OF CRIME AND THE TREATMENT OF OFFENDERSAbout Us
The United Nations Asia and Far East Institute for the Prevention of Crime and the Treatment of
Offenders (UNAFEI) was established in 1962 by an agreement between the United Nations (UN)and Japan. It is one of the United Nations Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Programme
Network Institutes (PNI). The PNI consists of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime(UNODC) in Vienna and several interregional and regional institutes and specialized centres
around the world.
UNAFEI, the oldest PNI institute, has contributed to the enhancement of the criminal justicesystems and capacity-building in developing countries by conducting training courses andseminars, as well as to the development, dissemination and implementation of the UN policies
and strategies in the field of crime prevention and criminal justice in collaboration with the
UNODC and other PNI institutes.
UNAFEI’s activities are highly regarded inside and outside Japan, and in 2003, UNAFEI won the
Presidential Award of the National Personnel Authority in Japan.

His Majesty, The Emperor (His Imperial
Highness Crown Prince at that time)
visits UNAFEI.

Her Royal Highness,
Princess Bajrakitiyabha of Thailand
visits UNAFEI.
3

History of UNAFEI
1954

The 1st United Nations Asia and Far East Convention for the Prevention of Crime and the Treatment of Offenders
is held. A resolution is adopted calling for the establishment of a UN regional training institute in Asia.

1961

Agreement between the UN and the Government of Japan to establish UNAFEI

1962

Opening of the first UNAFEI facility in Fuchu City, Tokyo / The 1st International Training Course is conducted

1982

Opening of the second UNAFEI facility in Fuchu City, Tokyo

1990

Tokyo Rules adopted by the 8th Congress in Havana, followed by adoption by the General Assembly

1993

Visit by His Imperial Highness, Crown Prince Naruhito (His Majesty, The Emperor since 2019)2002

UNAFEI’s 40th Anniversary Event

2003

Presidential Award of the National Personnel Authority in Japan

2009

Visit by Her Royal Highness Princess Bajrakitiyabha of Thailand

2012

UNAFEI’s 50th Anniversary Event

2013

Second Visit by Her Royal Highness Princess Bajrakitiyabha of Thailand

2017

Relocation to the third facility in Akishima City, Tokyo

2022

UNAFEI’s 60th Anniversary Event

The first facility of UNAFEI in Fuchu City

The second facility of UNAFEI in Fuchu City
4

Lecture at UNAFEI in the second facility in Fuchu City

Organization of UNAFEIThe Government of Japan through the Research and Training Institute of the Ministry of Justiceis responsible for UNAFEI's activities. The Director of UNAFEI is appointed upon consultation
with the United Nations. Professors and staff, selected from among public prosecutors, judges,
corrections officers, probation officers, etc., undertake UNAFEI's activities in cooperation withrelated organizations, such as the UNODC and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

Organization Chart of Reserch and Training Institute (RTI)
General Affairs and Planning
Department
Research Department
First Training Department
RTI

Second Training Department
Third Training Department
United Nations Training
Cooperation Department (UNAFEI)International Cooperation Department

The mascot characterof UNAFEI“Unafei-kun”

Branch Offices (Sapporo, Sendai, Nagoya,
Osaka, Hiroshima, Takamatsu, Fukuoka)

Lecture by UNAFEI professor

UNAFEI staff welcoming participants upon arrival at UNAFEI
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International Training Courses and Senior Seminars
UNAFEI’s international training courses and senior seminars have been its core mission.
International training courses and senior seminars have contributed to the dissemination andimplementation of the UN standards and norms, as well as to the achievement of the Sustainable
Development Goals (SDGs). UNAFEI held its first international training course in September 1962,
and currently holds three international courses and senior seminars every year.
The international training course in spring mainly focuses on issues of crime prevention,
investigation and adjudication, while the one in autumn concentrates on the management ofcorrectional facilities and rehabilitation of offenders. The international senior seminar in winterdeals with broader issues of criminal justice. Approximately 20 to 30 overseas and Japaneseparticipants attend each international course or seminar, which lasts 4 to 5 weeks.
The programmes mainly consist of presentations by participants, lectures by UNAFEI
professors and Japanese or overseas experts, observation visits to criminal justice agencies,group workshops and plenary discussions.

Group workshop

Group presentation

Presentation by a participant6Region/Country-Focused Courses and Seminars
UNAFEI is also engaged in region-focused training courses and bilateral technical assistanceactivities. The largest of these is the annual “Regional Seminar on Good Governance forSoutheast Asian Countries”, known as the “Good Governance Seminar (GG Seminar)”, which has
been conducted since 2007. The GG Seminar is designed to contribute to the promotion of good
governance and the rule of law in Southeast Asian countries. UNAFEI's role is to co-organize
the seminar with the designated criminal justice or international cooperation agency of the hostcountry. The aim of the Seminar is to explore ways to strengthen anti-corruption measures andlegal systems in the region.
In addition, the following country-specific training programmes are also conducted.
(1) Since 2013, UNAFEI has conducted a series of programmes called the “Joint Comparative
Study on the Criminal Justice Systems of Japan and Nepal”, which aims at improving the
Nepali criminal justice system through comparative studies involving Nepali criminal justiceofficials and UNAFEI.
(2) S ince 2016, UNAFEI has supported Viet Nam's efforts to reform and improve its criminal
justice system through conducting a series of programmes called the “Exchange Programme
between the Japanese Prosecution Service and the Supreme People's Procuracy of VietNam”, as well as holding training courses for officers of Viet Nam's Supreme People's
Procuracy.
(3) S ince 2018, UNAFEI has provided technical assistance in collaboration with the UNODC’s
Regional Office for Southeast Asia and the Pacific in the following countries- Timor-Leste (Prison Reform)- Philippines (Treatment of Offenders)- Cambodia (Community-based Treatment)

The 16th GG Seminar

Exchange Programme between the Japanese Prosecution
Service and the Supreme People’s Procuracy of Viet Nam

Technical Assistance to the Philippines on Offender Treatment

Technical Assistance to Timor-Leste on Prison Reform
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Other Training Courses and Seminars(1) UNAFEI-UNCAC Training Programme
UNAFEI has held an international training course entitled the UNAFEI-UNCAC Training
Programme annually since 1998. Participants discuss and study the current situation of,and challenges in the countermeasures to, corruption, and then explore best practices for
effective investigation, prosecution and adjudication of corruption offences, in order to better
implement the provisions of the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC).
(2) Youth International Training Course
In 2021, UNAFEI conducted its first training course targeting youth. Japanese university andgraduate students, as well as international students, participated in the 1st Youth International
Training Course. The participants learned about and discussed challenges and solutions to
issues in the field of criminal justice.
(3) C riminal Justice Response to Vulnerable Groups (e.g. Reoffenders, Female and Child
Victims) Towards Inclusive SocietyWith the goal of contributing to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development from acriminal justice perspective, UNAFEI launched a new training course in 2022 to discuss
effective measures to promote the building of an inclusive society. The programme isconducted every year and alternates between the topics of crime prevention and victim
protection.

UNAFEI-UNCAC Training Programme

Youth International Training Course
8International Training Course on Building Inclusive Societies

UNAFEI’s Contribution to the UN
UNAFEI contributes to the United Nations in formulating and implementing its global policies
on crime prevention and offender treatment. UNAFEI faculty attend the regular sessions of theCommission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice (Commission), a functional committeeof the Economic and Social Council, every year and report on UNAFEI’s activities and researchfindings. In selecting the themes of its courses and seminars, UNAFEI pays due attention to thepriority areas of the United Nations Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Programme, identified
by the General Assembly, the Economic and Social Council and the Commission as well as theneeds of the participating countries.
As a PNI member, UNAFEI has taken an important and active role in the United Nations
Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice (Congress) held once every five years. Since
the 10th Congress in Vienna, UNAFEI has organized workshops and led practical discussions at
each Congress.

The Workshops UNAFEI coordinated at previous Congresses
10th Congress (2000)

Vienna, Austria

Crimes Related to the Computer Network

11th Congress (2005)

Bangkok, Thailand

Measures to Combat Economic Crime, including MoneyLaundering

12th Congress (2010)

Salvador, Brazil

Strategies and Best Practices against Overcrowding in
Correctional Facilities

13th Congress (2015)

Doha, Qatar

Role of the United Nations standards and norms in crime
prevention and criminal justice in support of effective,
fair, humane and accountable criminal justice systems:
experiences and lessons learned in meeting the unique needsof women and children, in particular the treatment and social
reintegration of offenders (Panel I: The Treatment and social
reintegration of women offenders)

14th Congress (2021)

Kyoto, Japan

Reducing Reoffending: identifying risks and developing
solutions

The 12th Congress Workshop

The 13th Congress Workshop
9The 14th UN Congress in Kyoto
At the 14th Congress (Kyoto Congress) held in Kyoto, Japan, in 2021, UNAFEI conducted thefollowing activities.
(1) Workshop
UNAFEI co-hosted one of the workshops of the Kyoto Congress with the UNODC andthe Thailand Institute of Justice (TIJ). The title of this workshop was "Reducing reoffending:identifying risks and developing solutions”. Keynote speeches were followed by panel
discussions on three topics. The workshop confirmed that reducing reoffending is essential
for the creation of inclusive and sustainable societies as stated in the SDGs, and that doing
so requires that offenders receive individualized treatment in rehabilitative environments –whether in the custodial or community setting – coupled with the active use of non-custodial
measures and a multi-stakeholder approach to offender reintegration. The results of theworkshop discussions were reported to the Kyoto Congress Plenary Session and reflected in
the Kyoto Declaration.
(2) Ancillary Meeting
In addition, UNAFEI expects to strengthen its alumni network through reunion events at
ancillary meetings. Approximately 150 ancillary meetings were held at the Kyoto Congress
and, in collaboration with the Asia Crime Prevention Foundation (ACPF), UNAFEI hosted the“Follow-up to the UNAFEI Training Courses and Seminars” to strengthen the alumni network.
In addition, UNAFEI held the World Conference of Volunteer Probation Officers jointly with the
Rehabilitation Bureau of the Ministry of Justice.
(3) Follow-up
As a follow-up to the Kyoto Congress UNAFEI, in October 2022, invited experts from PNI
and other organizations around the world to attend a PNI event titled “Enhancing Technical
Assistance to Reduce Reoffending and Promote an Inclusive Society”.

Logo of the Kyoto Congress

10

Logo of the Kyoto Youth ForumThe 14th Congress Workshop

Ancillary Meeting“Follow-up to the UNAFEI Training Courses and Seminars”
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UNAFEI and the PNIThe UN Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Programme Network consists of 18 Programme
Network Institutes (PNI) around the world and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime(UNODC). The PNI play a key role to assist the international community in strengthening
international cooperation in the crucial area of crime prevention at the global, regional andsub-regional levels. UNAFEI, the oldest PNI, contributes to the achievement of the SDGs andthe development and implementation of UN policies and strategies through training courses,
seminars and research in cooperation with the UNODC and other PNI members, and active
participation in UN meetings.

“PNI around the world”

PNI Network
ICCLR

ICPC
NIJ

ILANUDUNODC
UNICRI
ISPAC
BIG/ICAR

RWI

HEUNI

SII

NAUSS
UNAFRICCLS
KICJ UNAFEI
TIJ

ISS

Event on Reducing Reoffending with PNI Experts hosted by UNAFEI
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AIC

UNAFEI’s Involvement in Various International Activities
UNAFEI’s faculty and staff members deliver lectures and presentations at international
conferences and forums, such as the Counter-Terrorism Committee (CTC), the Global
Counterterrorism Forum (GCTF), the International Penal and Penitentiary Foundation (IPPF), theWorld Justice Forum (WJF), the General Meeting of the International Association of Prosecutors,
the Asia and Pacific Conference of Correctional Administrators (APCCA), the International
Corrections and Prisons Association (ICPA) Annual Conference, the World Congress on
Probation, among many others. UNAFEI is also actively involved in various activities for the
betterment of criminal justice around the world by concluding memorandums of cooperation(MOC) with international organizations.

List of MOUs/MOCs between UNAFEI and other Institutes
2014College for Criminal Law Science of Beijing Normal University, China (CCLS)

2015

Korean Institute of Criminology, Korea (KIC)

2016

Thailand Institute of Justice, Thailand (TIJ)

2017

Escola Superior do Ministério Público da União, Brazil (ESMPU)

2022

Confederation of European Probation (CEP)

2022

International Criminal Court (ICC)

Presentation at APCCA

Signing the MOU between UNAFEI and TIJ

Signing the MOU between UNAFEI and the CEP

Signing the MOC between UNAFEI and the ICC
13

Life at UNAFEI
UNAFEI is located at the International Justice Center in Akishima, Tokyo. UNAFEI is fully
equipped with facilities for effective training. The facilities include International Conference Hall A(four-language simultaneous interpretation is available); International Conference Hall B; a multipurpose hall, a library, several seminar rooms and a cafeteria.
The participants and overseas visiting experts stay in the dormitory attached to UNAFEI's
main building. The living environment and meals are designed to meet the individual needs of theparticipants so that their stay will be as comfortable as possible. In their free time, they can enjoy
activities such as table tennis, working out in the training room, etc.

14International Conference Hall A

International Conference Hall B

Dormitory RoomDining Hall

LibraryJapanese tatami roomPublications
The outcomes of UNAFEI’s training courses and seminars are widely disseminated through
UNAFEI’s periodic publications, as well as the results of surveys and activities occasionallyconducted by UNAFEI faculty, all of which are available online.
(1) Resource Material Series
In principle, UNAFEI publishes its journal Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice, UNAFEI’s
Resource Material Series three times a year. It contains materials prepared by visiting experts
and selected papers written by participants highlighting the criminal justice practices andchallenges in their countries. It is a valuable publication to learn about the theme of eachcourse and the criminal justice situation in a variety of countries. This collection, which had
been published only in English, is now also published in Japanese (since 2023).
(2) Report of Workshop
UNAFEI publishes the results of the workshops organized by UNAFEI at the Congresses.
At the 14th Congress held in Kyoto in 2021, UNAFEI organized a workshop on “Reducing
reoffending: identifiying risks and developing solutions” together with the UNODC and TIJ andpublished the papers presented at the workshop.
(3) Newsletter/Annual Report
An overview of each training course/seminar conducted at UNAFEI is available in the online
UNAFEI Newsletter. The annual activities of UNAFEI are reported to the United Nations once ayear. This report is also posted online.
(4) Report of the GG Seminar
UNAFEI publishes the results of its GG Seminars, which have been held annually since2007. The publication includes papers from various countries on anti-corruption measures inSoutheast Asia.

The Resource Material Series
in UNAFEI’s library

Report of the Workshop(Kyoto Congress)
15

Public Support
The Asia Crime Prevention Foundation (ACPF), established in 1982, greatly supports UNAFEI’s
programmes by providing various activities for the participants, such as friendship parties, coorganization of an annual public lecture and study tour programmes. The ACPF is a non-profit
foundation and an international non-governmental organization (NGO), whose main purpose isto support UNAFEI’s activities. The ACPF has been granted General Consultative Status, the top
category of UN NGOs. The ACPF has many branches overseas and in Japan.
In addition, UNAFEI is assisted in various Japanese cultural activities (e.g. tea ceremonies,
flower arrangement and koto concerts) by local community organizations such as the Rotary
Club, Soroptimist International and the Volunteer Probation Officers Association in Support of
UNAFEI’s Activities.

Tea Ceremony hosted by Soroptimist International
Akishima (the 173rd International Training Course)

Participants visit the home of a Volunteer
Probation Officer

International Friendship Party hosted by the ACPF Hiroshima Branch

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UNAFEI Alumni Network
Over the past 60 years, more than 6,300 criminal justice practitioners from 143 countries/
regions have participated in UNAFEI's training courses and seminars. Many UNAFEI alumni
members are playing leading roles in the field of criminal justice in their respective countries,
thus strengthening the UNAFEI alumni network. Given the globalization of crime, networking
among criminal justice practitioners and agencies facilitate sharing of experiences, gatheringof information and international cooperation. In order to strengthen its alumni network, UNAFEI
updates its contact list and sends an e-magazine periodically to former participants and visiting
experts to provide up-to-date information about UNAFEI's activities.

UNAFEI's alumni network (as of 1 April 2023)
NORTH & SOUTH AMERICA

326

3,209

THE PACIFIC

225

AFRICA

752

Afghanistan

39

Australia

3

Algeria8

Antigua and Barbuda

2

Bangladesh

97

Fiji

60

Botswana

13

Argentina

7

Bhutan28

Kiribati

2

Burkina Faso

19

Barbados

3

Brunei25

Marshall Islands

5

Burundi1

Belize11

Cambodia

66

Micronesia

2

Cameroon

6

Bolivia

2

China

270

Nauru

2

Chad

20

Brazil80

Hong Kong82

New Zealand2

Cote d'lvoire

44

Chile

9

India

103

Palau

3

D.R.Congo

35

Colombia

14

Indonesia

241

Papua New Guinea

85

Egypt

34

Costa Rica

19

Iran

42

Samoa

19

Ethiopia

6

Cuba

1

Iraq

38

Solomon Islands

10

Gabon

2

Dominican Republic4

Jordan

17

Tonga

19

Gambia3

Ecuador

7

Korea

119

Vanuatu

9

Ghana

8

EI Salvador

13

Laos

94

Cook Islands

4

Guinea9

Grenada1

Lebanon

1

8

Malaysia

193

251

253

Guatemala

EUROPE

Kenya
Lesotho3

Guyana5

Maldives

49

Albania4

Liberia

1

Haiti

1

Mongolia

18

Armenia

4

Libya

1

Honduras

16

Myanmar106

Azerbaijan

4

Madagascar

5

Jamaica

12

Nepal

230

Bosnia and Herzegovina

2

Malawi14

Mexico6

Oman

5

Bulgaria

2

Mali

25

Nicaragua

2

Pakistan

112

Estonia

1

Mauritania

17

Panama25

Palestine

13

Georgia

3

Mauritius

5

Paraguay

15

Philippines331

Hungary

1

Morocco

10

Peru

33

Saudi Arabia

17

Kazakhstan

30

Mozambique

5Saint Christopher and Nevis

2

Singapore

92

Kyrgyz37

Namibia11Saint Lucia

3

Sri Lanka

163

Latvia

1

Niger

21

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

2

Taiwan21

Lithuania

1

Nigeria31

Trinidad and Tobago

2

Thailand385

North Macedonia

2

Republic of South Sudan

5

U.S.A. (Hawaii)

1

Timor-Leste

21

Moldova

5

Senegal17

Uruguay4

Turkey8Montenegro

1

Seychelles

5

Venezuela

16

3

ASIA

United Arab Emirates

1

Poland1

Sierraleone

Viet Nam

175

Romania

1

Somalia

2

Yemen

7

Serbia1South Africa

10

Tajikistan

74

Sudan

22

TOTAL 6,382

Turkmenistan

8

Eswatini2(As of 1 April 2023)

Ukraine20

Tanzania

27

Uzbekistan

48

Tunisia3

Uganda12

Zambia15

Zimbabwe

19

JAPAN 1,619

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UNAFEI Alumni Promoted to High-Ranking Positions
UNAFEI alumni have been promoted to high-ranking positions, such as Minister of Justice,
President of the Supreme Court of Justice, and Attorney General.

UNAFEI Alumni Promoted to High-Ranking Positions

Nepal

・Chief Justice, Chairman, Council of Ministers
・Prime Minister
・Joint Secretary, Ministry of Law, Justice and Constituent Assembly Aﬀairs
・Secretary, Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority

Pakistan・Director General,
National Police Bureau,
Ministry of Interior

Sri Lanka

・Secretary to the Ministry of Justice・Chief Justice of the Supreme Court
・Permanent Secretary, Ministry of JusticeKenya・Director of Probation and Aftercare
Services, Ministry of Interior andCoordination of National
Government
・Director of ChildrenʼsServices, Ministry ofLabor and Social
Protection

Singapore・Principal Senior State Counsel of
the Criminal Justice Division,
Attorney Generalʼs Chambers

Indonesia

・Deputy Chief Justice18

China・Chief Justice, The Supreme Peopleʼs Court
・Grand Justice of the Second Rank, The Supreme Peopleʼs Court

Korea

・Minister of Justice・Prosecutor General

Thailand・Minister of Justice・President, Supreme Court
・Attorney General・Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice

Philippines

・Senior Deputy State Prosecutor,
Department of Justice・Commissioner, National Police
Commission
・Administrator, Parole and Probation
Administration, Department of JusticeSamoa

・Senior Supreme Court JusticeCosta Rica・Costa Rican Ambassador
to JapanBrazil・Director of International
Cooperation Division,Federal Prosecution
ServicePeru・Judge of
the International
Criminal Court

Fiji

・President of the United Nations Human Rights Council
・Deputy Prosecutor, International Criminal Court

19

United Nations Asia and Far East Institutefor the Prevention of Crimeand the Treatment of Offenders

UNAFEI
International
Justice CenterTama-Ohashi St.

Fujimi St.

Showa Kinen Park

Higashi-Nakagami Sta.
JR Ome Line
Nishi-Tachikawa Sta.

2-1-18, Mokuseinomori, Akishima, Tokyo,196-8570, Japan
Tel: +81-42-500-5100
Fax: +81-42-500-5195
Email: unafei@i.moj.go.jp
Website: https://www.unafei.or.jp/english/(Published in May 2023)