Column: Arrangements with relevant ministries for providing information to financial institutions in order to freeze accounts used for criminal activity

The damage from malicious scams targeting the elderly and illegal loans which take advantage of the impoverished is never-ending. Public fear of such crimes has yet to be dispelled.

As such, in June 2010 the Japanese government worked together to implement an initiative focused on preventing the spread of damage and supporting recovery from such crimes. A working team established to protect against consumer and lifestyle crimes arranged for information on the account and unauthorized usages in cases of accounts expected of use in criminal activities to be provided to financial institutions.

## Section 2: Developing Infrastructure for Criminal Arrests and Deterrence

### 1. Enhancing Investigation Capability

Investigations need to further emphasize objective evidence obtained through investigative techniques without overly relying on interrogations. Fundamental studies and research are underway on issues in investigative techniques and interrogation, including the Study Group for Enhancing Investigative Techniques and Interrogation, hosted by the Chairman of the National Public Safety Commission Chairman.

In addition, in order to appropriately address the rapid increase seen in dead bodies and promote proper autopsies, the autopsy system is being enhanced by increasing the number of coroners. There was also a discussion on the system that Japan needs for investigating causes of death in the Study Group on a System for Investigating Cause of Death to Help Prevent Overlooking Criminal Deaths. The final report for this study was compiled and published in April 2011.

Column: Interim report for the Study Group for Enhancing Investigative Techniques and Interrogation

In April 2011, the Study Group for Enhancing Investigative Techniques and Interrogation sorted through the roughly one year of discussion since its establishment to clarify its subsequent agenda. These findings were compiled into a midterm report, which revealed several things. First, countries with more transparent interrogation procedures use a number of investigative methods not present in Japan, while interrogations play a more significant role in clarifying the truth of cases in Japan than in other countries. Second, other countries have more confirmed crimes and make more arrests per capita than Japan, and report higher acquittal rates.

While taking this interim report into account, the group continues its study of the function of interrogation within the overall investigative structure, developing more sophisticated and transparent interrogation methods, and enhancing investigative methods other than interrogation.

### 2. Utilizing Scientific Techniques

To strengthen its investigative capacity, police utilize DNA profiling, automated fingerprint and palm print identification systems and other scientific techniques in investigations.

3. Thoroughness of Fair, Careful Investigations and Response to Reform of the Judicial System

To make all its investigations appropriate and promote fair investigations without excessively depending on confessions, the