CONTENTS
CHAPTER 1 STRUCTURE AND ORGANIZATION OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICEADMINISTRATION …………………………………………………………………… 1 1
I. POLICE …………………………………………………………………………………… 1 1
A. Overview………………………………………………………………………………… 1
1
B. National Police Organization…………………………………………………………… 1 1
1. The National Public Safety Commission …………………………………………… 1
1
2. The National Police Agency ………………………………………………………… 1
1
C. Local Police Organization ……………………………………………………………… 2
2
1. The Prefectural Public Safety Commission ………………………………………… 2 2
2. Prefectural Police Headquarters …………………………………………………… 2 2
II. PROSECUTION …………………………………………………………………………… 2 2
A. Qualification ………………………………………………………………………………2
2
B. Organization ……………………………………………………………………………… 3 3
C. Functions and Jurisdiction ……………………………………………………………… 4
4
D. Status (Independence and Impartiality) ………………………………………………… 44III. COURTS ………………………………………………………………………………… 5 4
A. Structure ……………………………………………………………………………………5 4
1. Introduction ………………………………………………………………………… 5 4
2. The Supreme Court ………………………………………………………………… 5 4
3. The High Court …………………………………………………………………………
5
5
4. The District Court …………………………………………………………………… 6
5
5. The Family Court …………………………………………………………………… 6 5
6. The Summary Court ………………………………………………………………… 6 6
B.
Judges ……………………………………………………………………………………6 6
1. Appointment of Judges ……………………………………………………………… 6
2.
Categories and Qualifications of Judges …………………………………………… 6
6IV.
CORRECTIONS ………………………………………………………………………… 7
7
A. Organization of the Correctional Administration ……..………………………………… 7
1. Penal Institutions …………………………………………………………………… 7 7
2. Juvenile Correctional Institutions …………………………………………………… 8
8
B.
Correctional Officials ……………………………………………………………………8
8
V.
REHABILITATION …………………………………………………………………… 88
A. Organization and Function ……………………………………………………………… 8 8
B. Personnel ………………………………………………………………………………… 9 9
1. Probation Officers …………………………………………………………………… 99
2. Rehabilitation Co-ordinators………………………………………………………… 99
C. Volunteers and the Voluntary Sector………………………………………………………9 9
1. Volunteer Probation Officers………………………………………………………… 99
2. Juridical Persons for Offenders Rehabilitation Services ………………………………10
9
3. Others …………………………………………………………………………………10 10-i-

CHAPTER 2 THE CRIME SITUATION IN JAPAN ……………………………………………… 1111
I. PENAL CODE OFFENCES……………………………………………………………………11
11
A. Trends in Penal Code Offences …………………………………………………………… 11
11
B. Trends in Some Major Crimes ………………………………………………………………13 13
II. SPECIAL LAW OFFENCES………………………………………………………………… 13 13
CHAPTER 3

CRIMINAL JUSTICE FLOW CHART ……………………………………………… 1414

CHAPTER 4 PRE-TRIAL CRIMINAL PROCEDURE …………………………………………… 15 15
I. INTRODUCTION …………………………………………………………………………………
15
II. CONSTITUTIONAL SAFEGUARDS……………………………………………………… 15
III. INVESTIGATIVE AGENCIES ……………………………………………………………… 15
IV. INVESTIGATION PROCESS ……………………………………………………………… 16
A. Overview……………………………………………………………………………………16
B. Initiating a Criminal Investigation………………………………………………………… 16
C. Arrest ……………………………………………………………………………………… 17
D. Post-Arrest Procedure ………………………………………………………………………17
E. Collection of Evidence …………………………………………………………………… 18
1. Taking Statements………………………………………………………………………18
2. Interrogation of Suspects……………………………………………………………… 1818
3. Searches and Seizures ………………………………………………………………… 19
F. The Right to Counsel ……………………………………………………………………… 19
G. Bail ………………………………………………………………………………………… 191V.
V. DISPOSITION OF CASES ……………………………………………………………………21
19
A. Responsible for Prosecution……………………………………………………………… 21
1. Principle ……………………………………………………………………………… 21
19
2. Exception……………………………………………………………………………… 21
19
B. Forms of Prosecution ……………………………………………………………………… 21
1. Formal Prosecution (Indictment)……………………………………………………… 21
20
2. Summary Prosecution (Request for a Summary Order)……………………………… 2422
C. Non-prosecution of Cases ………………………………………………………………… 24
1. No Offence Committed…………………………………………………………………24
22
2. Insufficiency of Evidence ………………………………………………………………24
22
3. Suspension of Prosecution …………………………………………………………… 24
22
D. Safeguards against Arbitrary Disposition ……………………………………………………25
1. Internal Administrative Review ……………………………………………………… 25
23
2. Committee for Inquest of Prosecution………………………………………………… 25
23
3. Quasi-Prosecution ……………………………………………………………………25
E. Victim Notification Programme …………………………………………………………… 26
CHAPTER 5 TRIAL PROCESS …………………………………………………………………… 28 25
I. SOME BASIC PRINCIPLES AND CHARACTERISTICS………………………………… 28
A. Presumption of Innocence ………………………………………………………………… 28
B. Public Trials…………………………………………………………………………………28-ii-

Right to Remain Silent ………………………………………………………………… 28
Right to Counsel………………………………………………………………………… 28
Adversarial Procedure…………………………………………………………………… 29
No Arraignment ………………………………………………………………………… 29
Single Stage Procedure ………………………………………………………………… 29
II.
Saiban-In Trials ……………………………………………………………………………29
III.
TRIAL PROCEEDINGS ………………………………………………………………… 30
A. Procedure before Trial …………………………………………………………………… 30
1. Introduction…………………………………………………………………………… 30
2. Disclosure ………………………………………………………………………………30
3. Pretrial Conference Procedure………………………………………………………… 30
B. Trial……………………………………………………………………………………… 31
1. Opening Proceeding ……………………………………………………………………31
2. Examination of Evidence ………………………………………………………………31
3. Questioning of Defendants …………………………………………………………… 31
4. Closing Arguments …………………………………………………………………… 31
32
5. Victim Participation at Trial ………………………………………………………………
32
C. Rules of Evidence ……………………………………………………………………………
1. Hearsay Rule ……………………………………………………………………………32
32
2. Hearsay Exceptions………………………………………………………………………
3. Confessions …………………………………………………………………………… 32
4. Exclusionary Rule …………………………………………………………………… 33
D. Adjudication and Sentencing …………………………………………………………… 33
E. Length of Trial …………………………………………………………………………… 33
34
IV.
APPEALS……………………………………………………………………………………
A. Koso Appeals ………………………………………………………………………………34
34
B. Jokoku Appeals ………………………………………………………………………………
34
V.
EXTRAORDINARY REMEDIES …………………………………………………………
35
VI.
PUNISHMENT………………………………………………………………………………
A. Categories …………………………………………………………………………………35
35
1. Overview …………………………………………………………………………………
2. Death Penalty ………………………………………………………………………… 35
3. Imprisonment ………………………………………………………………………… 35
4. Fine, Misdemeanour Imprisonment without Work, Petty Fine ……………………… 35
B. Suspension of Execution of Sentence…………………………………………………… 35
C. Outcomes of Court Proceedings………………………………………………………… 36
1. Formal Trials ………………………………………………………………………… 36
2. Summary Proceedings………………………………………………………………… 36
D. Parole …………………………………………………………………………………… 36
VII. COMPENSATION FOR INNOCENCE ………………………………………………… 37
VIII. SPECIAL PROCEDURES FOR JUVENILE CASES ……………………………………37
C.
D.
E.
F.
G.

39
CHAPTER 6 CORRECTIONAL SERVICE …………………………………………………………
I.
INTRODUCTION …………………………………………………………………………39-iii-

EFFECTIVE TREATMENT OF INMATES IN PENAL INSTITUTIONS ………………
39 35
A. Trends in the Inmate Population in Penal Institutions …………………………………
39 35
B. Philosophy of the Treatment of Inmates…………………………………………………3936
C. Correctional Treatment of Sentenced Inmates ………………………………………… 4036
1. Assessment for Treatment …………………………………………………………… 36
40
2. Prison Work………………………………………………………………………… 40
36
3. Guidance for Reform………………………………………………………………… 4238
42
4. Guidance in School Courses………………………………………………………… 38
D. Complaints Mechanism ………………………………………………………………… 4238
421. Claim for Review and Reclaim for Review …………………………………………38
2. Report of Cases ……………………………………………………………………… 39
43
3. Filing of Complaints ………………………………………………………………… 39
43
E. Penal Institution Visiting Committee ………………………………………………………
4339
F. Act on the Transnational Transfer of Sentenced Persons…………………………………43
III. EFFECTIVE TREATMENT OF JUVENILES IN JUVENILE TRAINING SCHOOLS ... 43
A. Overview…………………………………………………………………………………43 39
1. Structure of Juvenile Training Schools…………………………………………………
39
43
2. Outline of the Treatment Process ……………………………………………………39
44
B. Correctional Education………………………………………………………………… 4440
1. Living Guidance……………………………………………………………………… 44
40
2. Vocational Guidance………………………………………………………………… 40
44
3. Academic Education ………………………………………………………………… 40
44
4. Health and Physical Education ………………………………………………………40
44
5. Special Activities…………………………………………………………………… 45
40
C. Medical Care …………………………………………………………………………… 4541
II.

CHAPTER 7 REHABILITATION OF OFFENDERS ………………………………………………46 42
I. PAROLE ……………………………………………………………………………………. 46
42
A. Overview…………………………………………………………………………………46 42
1. Parole Examination ……………………………………………………………………46 42
2. Parole Decision …………………………………………………………………………
46 42
3. Pre-parole Inquiry by the Probation Officers………………………………………………
42
46
4. Coordination of Social Circumstances……………………………………………………
46 43
II.
PAROLE AND PROBATIONARY SUPERVISION OF ADULT OFFENDERS………47
A. Overview…………………………………………………………………………………47
1. Adult Parolees…………………………………………………………………………47
2. Adult Probationers…………………………………………………………………… 47
B. Probation and Parole Conditions ………………………………………………………… 47
1. General Conditions……………………………………………………………………47
2. Special Conditions…………………………………………………………………… 48
3. Life and Conduct Guidelines………………………………………………………… 48
C. Implementation of Probationary and Parole Supervision…………………………………48
1. General Framework………………………………………………………………… 48
2. Intake Interviews and Treatment Plans …………………………………………………
48

-iv-

3. Role of Probation Officers and Volunteer Probation Officers………………………… 49
45
4. Day Offices……………………………………………………………………………… 49
5. Progressive Treatment ……………………………………………………………………49
6. Categorized Treatment ……………………………………………………………………49
7. Treatment Programmes as Special Probation Conditions ……………………………… 49
8. Comprehensive Job Assistance Scheme…………………………………………………50
9. National Centre for Offenders Rehabilitation Project ………………………………… 50
10. Community Settlement Support Centers……………………………………………… 50
11. Self-Reliance Support Homes ………………………………………………………… 50
12. Social Contribution Activities………………………………………………………… 51
D. Termination of Probation and Parole ………………………………………………………51
1. Measures for Good Conduct…………………………………………………………… 51
2. Measures against Bad Conduct ………………………………………………………… 51
E. Outcome of Probation and Parole ……………………………………………………………52
III.
PAROLE AND PROBATIONARY SUPERVISION OF JUVENILES……………………52
A. Overview ………………………………………………………………………………………
52
1. Juvenile Parolees …………………………………………………………………………52
2. Juvenile Probationers ……………………………………………………………………52
B. Probation and Parole Conditions ……………………………………………………………52
C. Implementation of Probationary and Parole Supervision ………………………………… 53
1. Short -Term Programmes for Juvenile Probationers…………………………………… 53
2. Social Contribution Activities/Social Participation Activities ………………………… 53
3. Treatment of Juveniles Who Have Committed Heinous/Serious Offence ………………54
4. Measures for Guardians …………………………………………………………………54
D. Termination of Probation and Parole……………………………………………………… 54
1. Measures for Good Conduct …………………………………………………………… 54
2. Measures against Bad Conduct………………………………………………………… 54
E. Outcome of Probation and Parole……………………………………………………………55
IV.
AFTERCARE OF DISCHARGED OFFENDERS……………………………………… 55
V.
PARDONS………………………………………………………………………………… 55
VI.
MEASURES FOR CRIME VICTIMS …………………………………………………… 55
VII.
MEDICAL HEALTH SUPERVISION ……………………………………………………56
VIII. CRIME PREVENTION ACTIVITIES…………………………………………………… 56.
APPENDICES ………………………………………………………………………………………… 57
Appendix 1 Number of known cases, crime rate, number of cleared cases, clearance rate,
and number of offenders cleared of Penal Code offences (1946-2012) ……………………58
Appendix 2 Number of known cases, number of cleared cases, and number of offenders
cleared of Penal Code offences, by type of major offence (2001-2012) ……………………
60
Appendix 3 Average daily number of inmates of penal institutions (1950-2012) ………………………63
Appendix 4 Frequency of imprisonment of newly admitted inmates, by type of offence(2012) ………………………………………………………………………………………64
Appendix 5 Number of parole applications, grants, and rejections (1949-2012) ………………………65
Appendix 6 Number of newly received probationers and parolees (1949-2012) ………………………66-v-