JAPAN
2 018
MINISTRY OF
JUSTICE
The Ministry of Justice is
closely connected to
every member of the community.
Contents
The Ministry of Justice is closely connected to every member
of the community.
The Crime Congress April, 2020 Kyoto
Ministry of Justice Challenges for the Future
About the Ministry of Justice
Structure, Historical Background,
Number of Regular Personnel, and Budget
Outline of the Organization
Internal Departments of the Ministry of Justice
Special Agencies
Facilities
Extra‐Ministerial Bureaus135799101013 Toward Japan as "the Safest Country in the World"
Preventing Repeat Offenses
〜Establishing the Safest Country in the World〜
Comprehensive Measures for the Prevention of Repeat Offenses
Enhancing Guidance and Support According
to Offender Characteristics
Creating a Place to Belong and Work in the Community
Declaring"No Return to Crime, No Facilitating Return to Crime"
Emergency Measures to Prevent Re‐offending
by Drug Addicts and Elderly Criminals
Re‐offending Prevention Act & Re‐offending Prevention Promotion Plan
Efforts to Achieve Safety and Security
Support for Crime Victims
Promotion of Judicial System Reform
Ensuring that the Results of Justice System Reforms Take Root
Promotion of Translation of Japanese Laws
Establishing a New Criminal Justice System that Keeps Pace
with the Times
Enrichment and Development of Law‐Related Education
Saiban‐in System1515161617171818212223232324010203 Realization of Basic Rights for People
Legal Affairs Bureau
System for Documenting Your Rights
Improvement of Basic Civil Laws
Promotion and Protection of Human Rights
Legal Services
Implementation of Comprehensive Legal Support by
the Japan Legal Support Center
Enforcement of Proper Criminal Policy
Process of Criminal Cases Committed by Adults
Handling Juvenile Crimes and Delinquencies
What is Offender Rehabilitation?
Securing Volunteer Probation Officers
Medical Treatment and Supervision Measures
for Persons Who Have Caused Serious Crimes While Insane.
Improvement and Enhancement of Treatment in Correctional Facilities
Further Improvement of Juvenile Correction
Immigration Control
Measures for Smooth and Strict Immigration Examinations
Immigration Control for Japanese and Foreign Nationals
Recognition of Refugees
Points‐Based Preferential Immigration Treatment for
Highly‐Skilled Foreign Professionals25252829313204333537393940400541424344MINISTRY OF JUSTICE
Laws Happiness protected
by laws
In order to live in this community it is necessary to have rules and regulations.
Such rules ensure that family relationships, such as parents and children or
brothers and sisters are accurately registered; that people can live safely within the
community; and that ordered materials can be obtained without fail.
Furthermore, to preserve peace and order in society, it is also essential that
persons who harm others or commit a crime are appropriately punished.
The Ministry of Justice not only prescribes such basic rules applicable in society
but also creates basic judicial framework under which the rules are adhered to. It
also assumes responsibility for a broad range of legal work under which those who
have been punished are assisted in their resocialization processes.
The Ministry also oversees the management of a system to help citizens exercise
their personal rights, such as the registratioan of real estate and notarization.
Other important duties of the Ministry of Justice are to ensure that the
immigration control of those entering or leaving Japan is dealt with in an
appropriate manner, the basic human rights of individuals are respected, and
intelligence activities are carried out for the purpose of public security.06 International Cooperation
Promotion of International Cooperation
Unified and Appropriate Settlement of
Disputes Involving Japanese Government
Litigation Bureau
Qualifications and Employment
Qualification Examinations
Employment Examination for Services
Making the Ministry of Justice More Familiar
●くろまるVisit
Ministry of Justice Museum‐Message Gallery
Letʼs Visit the Ministry of Justice!
●くろまるMain Weekly and Monthly Events
●くろまるKids Room4507464748495152531 21Ms. Kamikawa, the Minister of Justice,
visited the main hall of Kyoto International Conference Center.
Japanese garden in the
Kyoto International Conference Center
The podium of the Kyoto Crime Congress in 1970
Participants of the Kyoto Crime Congress in 1970
See you in Kyoto in 2020!
The Crime Congress
April, 2020
Kyoto
The Crime Congress will discuss topics such as crime prevention and criminal justice measures as well
as ways of international cooperation. A political declaration will be adopted as the outcome.
Japan was the first non-European country to host the Crime Congress in Kyoto back in 1970. The 14th
Crime Congress in 2020 will mark the 50th anniversary since the last Kyoto Congress.
We believe that the 14th Crime Congress will be an excellent opportunity for participants from across the
world to experience Japan’s constant efforts over the past 50 years towards building a mature nation
where the rule of law prevails. It will also provide an opportunity for people in Japan to reflect on
prevention of re-offending and realization of a safe and secure society as well as a culture of lawfulness
which supports them.
The last Crime Congress in Doha was attended by approximately 4,000 participants from about 150
countries. The participants included the Emir of the State of Qatar, H.H. Sheikh Tamim and the then UN
Secretary-General, H.E. Mr. Ban Ki-moon.
The Crime Congress, held once in every five years, is one of the largest conferences of the UN in the
field of crime prevention and criminal justice in which representatives of the Member States including
Justice Ministers, Attorney-Generals, international organisations and NGOs participate.
The United Nations Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice
Kyoto International Conference Center (the venue of the 14th Crime Congress)
Image provided by the courtesy of Kyoto International Conference Center
Kyoto International Conference Center (the venue of the 14th Crime Congress)
Image provided by the courtesy of Kyoto International Conference Center
MINISTRY OF JUSTICE
Laws shaping
our future3 4Automated gate
Future of Interaction
Toward a
Enhancement of Immigration
Administration
Connection and interaction with the world
will become more active with the Tokyo
Olympic and Paralympic Games coming up in
2020.
The Ministry of Justice is advancing efforts
so that Japan can welcome foreign visitors
safely and efficiently to Japan.02.Law‐related education class
Childrenʼ s Rights SOS Mini‐Letters
(for elementary school students)
Future of Law
Toward the
Systems to Protect the People and Society
To realize a society where each and every individual can live without anxiety, the Ministry of
Justice is working to develop a comprehensive and carefully implemented human rights relief
system, enhance the justice system in ways that the people can relate to and rely on, and promote
law-related education for the next generation who will be using and creating laws in the future.
Also, the Ministry will actively provide assistance for the improvement of legal systems in
different countries as a country open to the world.03.Law‐Related Education
mascot,
"Hourisu‐kun"
3Challenge
01. Safer Future
Promotion of Re-offending
Prevention Measures
Public officials and citizens of the private
sector are working together to prevent
repeat offenses (re-offending) so that
everyone can live in safety and security in
a society that is free of repeat offenses
and where no new victims are created.
Toward a
for Establishing the
"Safest Country in the World"
Ministry of Justice
Challenges for the Future
The Ministry of Justice is dedicated to ongoing efforts to maintain the security
of society by working to prevent repeat offenses, promoting immigration
regulations that encourage international exchange and strengthening
Japan’ s legal institutions and educating the public about them, all with the
aim of establishing Japan as "the Safest Country in the World."
MINISTRY OF JUSTICE
Laws shaping
our future
Immigration Examinations at the port of Entry
Minister of Justice Yoko Kamikawa speaking
about the cabinet decision of the Re‐offending
Prevention Promotion Plan (December 15, 2017)5 6Note: Special officers are included in the Ministry of Justice.
Evaluation Commission
of the Japan Legal Support Center
Legislative Council of the Ministry of Justice
Public Prosecutors and Notaries Public
Appointment Examination Committee
Branch Institutes(7)
Training Institute
for Correctional Personnel
Branch Institutes(8)
Immigration Centers (2)
Research and Training
Institute of the Ministry of Justice
Supreme Public
Prosecutors Office
Branch High Public
Prosecutors Offices (6)
Public Security
Examination Commision
Public Security
Intelligence Agency
Training Institute of the Public Security
Intelligence Agency
Prisons (62)
Juvenile Prisons (6)
Detention Houses(8)
Juvenile
Training Schools (45)
Juvenile
Classification Homes (49)
Branch Juvenile
Training School (6)
Branch Juvenile
Classification Home (3)
Branch Prisons (8)
Branch Detention
Houses (100)
Womenʼs
Guidance Home (1)
Public Security
Intelligence Bureaus(8)
Public Security
Intelligence Offices (14)
High Public
Prosecutors Offices (8)
Regional Correction
Headquarters(8)
Branch Offices (6)
District Immigration
Offices (7)
Regional Immigration Bureaus (8)
Immigration Detention Facilities
Visiting Committee(2)
Penal Institution
Visiting Committee(76)
Juvenile Training School
Visiting Committee(45)
Juvenile Classification Home
Visiting Committee(49)
Branch Offices (55)
Branch District Legal
Affairs Bureaus(261)
Legal Affairs
Bureaus(8)
Branch Offices(105)
District Legal
Affairs Bureaus(42)
Branch District Public
Prosecutors Offices (203)
District Public
Prosecutors Offices (50)
Local Public
Prosecutors Offices (438)
National Offenders Rehabilitation Commission
Public Prosecutorsʼ Qualification
Examination Committee
Regional Parole Boards(8)
Branch Probation
Offices(3)
Probation Offices(50)
Volunteer Probation Officer
Screening Commission(50)
National Bar Examination Commission
Civil Affairs Bureau
Criminal Affairs Bureau
Correction Bureau
Rehabilitation Bureau
Human Rights Bureau
Immigration Bureau
Judicial System
Department
Judicial System Division
Examination and Supervision Division
Internal organs
of the Ministry
Extraordinary
organs
Facilities Local branch offices
of the Ministry
Independent
organs
Councils
Figures in parentheses show the number of organizations (as of Apr. 2018)*
Founded in Apr. 2018 (Organization name provisional as of Feb. 2018)
Litigation Bureau
Ministerʼs Secretariat
Minister of Justice
State Minister
of Justice
Vice‐Minister
of Justice
Parliamentary
Vice‐Minister
of Justice
Secretarial Division
Planning and Re‐offending
Prevention Promotion Office*
Public Relations Office
EBPM Promotion and Information
Systems Management Office*
Personnel Division
Finance Division
Auditing Office
Building Management Office
International Affairs Division
Facilities Division
Technical Development and Engineering Office
Director of the Welfare Division
General Affairs Division
Registry Information Management Office
Registry Information Center
First Division
Second Division
Commercial Affairs Division
Director of the Civil Legislation Division
General Affairs Division
Research and Planning Office
Criminal Affairs Division
Public Security Division
Director of the Criminal Legislative Division
Director of the International Affairs Division*
General Affairs Division
Rehabilitation Support Office
Inspection Office
Prison Service Division
Security Office*
Juvenile Treatment Division
Director of the Medical Care Division
General Affairs Division
Rehabilitation Service Development Division
Community‐based Collaboration and
Social Reintegration Support Office*
Supervision Division
General Affairs Division
Human Rights Promotion and Protection Office
Investigations and Remedies Division
Human Rights Promotion Division
Litigation Planning and Coordination Division
Research Office
Civil Litigation Division
Administrative Litigation Division
Tax Litigation Division
Director for Litigation Policy Support
General Affairs Division
Refugee Status Recognition Office
Entry and Status Division
Residency Management Office
Adjudication Division
Enforcement Division
Director of the Immigration Control Information Division7 8 The MOJ FY 2018 Budget comprises a general budget of
763.8 billion yen and 2.0 billion yen for the "Special Account
for Reconstruction from the Great East Japan Earthquake".
Personnel costs comprise 66.9% of the general budget.
1871 ●くろまる Shihosho established
1947 ●くろまる
Separated from Shihosho, came under the
jurisdiction of the Supreme Court
1948 ●くろまる Homucho established (Shihosho abolished)
1949 ●くろまる
Renamed Homufu (with 3 director-gener-
als and 11 bureaus)
1952 ●くろまる
Renamed the Ministry of Justice
(with Minister’s Secretariat and 7 bureaus)
2001 ●くろまる
Reorganization of the central government
(with Minister’s Secretariat and 6 bureaus)
2015 ●くろまる
Litigation Bureau established(with Minis-
ter’s Secretariat and 7 bureaus)
Ministry of Justice
Research and Training Institute of the Ministry of Justice
Legal Affairs Bureaus
Public Prosecutors Offices
Correctional Institutions
Probation Offices and Regional Parole Boards
Regional Immigration Bureaus
Public Security Examination Commission
Public Security Intelligence Agency
OrganizationNameAbouttheMinistryofJustice
About the Ministry of Justice Structure, Historical Background,
Number of Regular Personnel, and Budget
ORGANIZATION
OF THE MINISTRY
OF JUSTICE
Historical Background
Number of Regular Personnel (FY 2018)
Budget (FY 2018)
Personnel Costs
511.1
66.9%
FY 2018
Budget
763.8
Facilities Costs25.03.3%
Other
Non‐Personnel
Costs
227.7
29.8%89984
8,834
11,809
23,600
1,829
4,73241,621
Total 53,412
9 10
the destruction of evidence, while paying due respect to the de-
fendants’ basic human rights.
A pamphlet explaining the meaning and role
of prosecution
●くろまるFor details, please refer to the Ministry of
Justice website
http://www.moj.go.jp/keiji1/keiji_keiji12.html
A pamphlet clearly explaining the various systems in the Public
Prosecutors Office that support victims of crime.
●くろまるFor details, please refer to the Ministry of Justice website
http://www.moj.go.jp/ENGLISH/CRAB/crab-02.html
Penal institutions consist of prisons, which confine inmates
sentenced to imprisonment with or without work; juvenile pris-
ons, which confine sentenced juvenile inmates; and detention
houses, which confine defendants or suspects awaiting trial.
The treatment of sentenced persons aims at their rehabilitation
and smooth return to society, and for this purpose, they are tak-
en into the most suitable institution based on psychological ex-
amination regarding personality and social adjustment. The insti-
tutions draw up treatment plans most deemed most suitable for
individual sentenced person and perform the various tasks in-
volved, including vocational training, life guidance, educational
programs, and more.
In addition, the Ministry is actively introducing new treatment
techniques, such as the adoption of "open treatment" measures
at some prisons, including Ichihara Prison and Ooi Shipyard Pris-
on Camp (of Matsuyama Prison).
The treatment of defendants awaiting trial is intended to con-
tribute to smooth trial proceedings by detaining and preventing
◎にじゅうまるInternal Departments of the Ministry of Justice ◎にじゅうまるSpecial Agencies (Public Prosecutors Office)
◎にじゅうまるFacilities
Fuchu Prison
About the Ministry of Justice
Minister’s Secretariat
Public Prosecutors
Penal Institutions
(Prisons, Juvenile Prisons, Detention Houses)
Outline of the Organization
AbouttheMinistryofJustice
Human Rights Bureau
The Human Rights Bureau promotes and protects fundamen-
tal human rights, and as such is in charge of investigating and
seeking a remedy for human rights violation cases, providing
human rights counseling services, and conducting human rights
awareness-raising activities. As field offices of the Bureau, there
is a Human Rights Department in each Legal Affairs Bureau and
a Human Rights Division in each District Legal Affairs Bureau. In
addition, Human Rights Volunteers, who are private citizens ap-
pointed by the Minister of Justice, are placed in each municipal-
ity (including the special wards of Tokyo) across the country.
Criminal Affairs Bureau
The Criminal Affairs Bureau is responsible for the planning
and drafting of criminal legislation, such as the Penal Code and
the Code of Criminal Procedure; affairs regarding prosecution;
and affairs regarding extradition of criminals and fugitives as
well as mutual international legal assistance.
Corrections Bureau
The Corrections Bureau is responsible for matters concerning
the treatment of inmates, including security, prison work, edu-
cation, classification, medical treatment, and hygiene in correc-
tional institutions (prisons, juvenile prisons, detention houses,
juvenile training schools, juvenile classification homes, and the
women’s guidance homes); the planning and drafting of correc-
tional legislation; the organization and management of correc-
tional institutions; and the international transfer of sentenced
persons.
Litigation Bureau
The Litigation Bureau handles state redress suits and admin-
istrative suits in which the State is the party, and is in charge of
clerical work involved in stating legal opinions upon request
from administrative organizations concerning cases which may
lead to legal disputes. It is also responsible for dealing with law-
suits involving local public entities, independent administrative
institutions, and other public corporations as prescribed by
Cabinet orders in cases where such suits are found to be relat-
ed to the interests of the State.
Rehabilitation Bureau
The Rehabilitation Bureau is responsible for administration
matters concerning the offender rehabilitation system in the
community, including the parole of correctional institution in-
mates, probation for juveniles on probation, parolees from juve-
nile training schools and penal institutions, or persons on proba-
tion with suspended sentences; crime prevention activities;
pardons and measures for crime victims; and matters concern-
ing community-based treatment according to the Act on Medi-
cal Care and Treatment for Persons Who Have Caused Serious
Incidents on the Grounds of Insanity or Diminished Capacity.
Immigration Bureau
In addition to immigration examination of Japanese and for-
eign nationals, the Immigration Bureau handles administrative
affairs relating to residency procedures for foreign nationals
staying in Japan, deportation of foreign nationals, and the rec-
ognition of refugees.
In criminal cases, public prosecutors have the power to investi-
gate any criminal offense, decide whether or not to prosecute,
request proper application of law by courts and control/super-
vise the execution of judgments, and furthermore, as represent-
atives of public interest, are given additional authority by the
Civil Code and other laws.
Prosecutorial power is exercised for the purpose of maintain-
ing law and order of the nation and society, and the exercise of
prosecutorial power is based on principles of strict fairness and
impartiality, and cases are handled with due respect to the hu-
man rights of suspects.
Public Prosecutors Office
The function of the Public Prosecutors Office is to exercise
control over all the work handled by public prosecutors, with of-
fices consisting of the Supreme Public Prosecutors Office (To-
kyo), the High Public Prosecutors Offices (Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya,
Hiroshima, Fukuoka, Sendai, Sapporo and Takamatsu), the Dis-
trict Public Prosecutors Offices (one each in the 46 prefectures
except Hokkaido, where, because of the large size of its adminis-
trative area, there are four offices) and Local Public Prosecutors
Offices (one each in major cities, wards or towns). Each of the
high public prosecutors offices and the district public prosecu-
tors offices has branches to handle parts of their work.
Public prosecutors offices are staffed with public prosecutors
(Prosecutor-General, Deputy Prosecutor-General, Superintending
Prosecutors, Public Prosecutors and Assistant Prosecutors) and
public prosecutors' assistant officers.
▶Secretarial Division
The Secretarial Division is in charge of secretarial and admin-
istrative work for the Minister of Justice, overall coordination of
administration of each department, clerical work pertinent to
the National Diet, public relations, and more.
▶Personnel Division
The Personnel Division is in charge of the general affairs of
the National Bar Examination Commission and clerical work ac-
companying its exams, as well as clerical work related to human
resources such as the number of regular employees, and the
appointment and dismissal of employees.
▶Finance Division
The Finance Division is in charge of budget creation, execu-
tion, payment, and auditing accounts, as well as the revenues
and expenditures of the Ministry of Justice.
▶International Affairs Division
The International Affairs Division is in charge of developing
basic policy and overall coordination concerning international
affairs of the Ministry of Justice, hosting international confer-
ences and arranging courtesy calls for officials from abroad,
among other things.
▶Facilities Division
The Facilities Division engages in the design, construction
work, and maintenance of facilities under the jurisdiction of the
Ministry of Justice, and also cooperates internationally with for-
eign governments to build correctional institutions.
▶Director of the Welfare Division
The Director of the Welfare Division is in charge of clerical
work pertinent to mutual aid associations, benefits, and welfare,
as well as enhancing the efficiency of pension and accident
compensation for employees.
▶Judicial System Department
The Judicial System Department is in charge of conducting
research and studies as well as drafting of laws and regulations
on the judicial system; clerical work related to collecting, filing,
compiling and publishing of data on laws and regulations, court
precedents and legal affairs; the administration of the Legisla-
tive Council of the Ministry of Justice; the administration of the
Ministry of Justice Library and the Ministry of Justice Muse-
um-Message Gallery; the compilation of statistics on the work
handled by the Ministry; matters concerning comprehensive le-
gal support; matters concerning law-related education; matters
concerning the qualification of attorneys-at-law (bengoshi) cer-
tified by the Minister of Justice; matters concerning foreign law-
yers registered as "Gaikokuho-Jimu-Bengoshi" (Gaiben); mat-
ters concerning the examination of license and authorization
and the supervision of claim management and collection com-
panies (servicers); and matters concerning the certification of
private dispute resolution services.
The Civil Affairs Bureau is responsible for handling affairs
related to registration systems for companies and real estate,
family registration, nationality (citizenship), deposit services,
notarization, judicial scriveners, land and house investigators,
and planning and drafting of civil legislation, such as the Civ-
il Code, the Commercial Code, and the Code of Civil Proce-
dure.
Civil Affairs Bureau
11 12
A Juvenile classification home confines juveniles who have
been referred by the family court when the court orders protec-
tive measures, and conducts assessments of these juveniles
based on the home’s expertise in medicine, psychology pedago-
gy, and more., in order to provide information relevant to the in-
vestigation and family court hearing. Such assessments is con-
ducted by interviews, psychological tests and behavioral
observations as well as by psychiatric examinations if necessary;
the treatment guidelines for rehabilitation are drawn up through
examination and diagnosis of the mental and physical condition
of the juvenile and through understanding of the causes of delin-
quency.
The home also conducts assessments at the request of the
juvenile training school superintendent or probation office direc-
tor for the enforcement of protective measures.
Furthermore, the home provides advice using their expertise
and techniques in consultation with the general public and school
teachers on delinquency, bullying, and domestic violence, as well
as the necessary support, in order to prevent delinquency and
crime in the local community.
Juvenile Training Schools confine juveniles who have been sent
from the family court as protective measures that provide cor-
rectional education. A juvenile training school creates an Individ-
ual Plan for Correctional Education for each individual which de-
termines the goals, content, implementation methods, and terms
of correctional education to be implemented according to the
juvenile’s traits, such as age, physical and mental condition, and
criminal tendencies, and provides lifestyle guidance, vocational
guidance, school courses, physical education, and special activi-
ties according to the characteristics of each juvenile. In addition,
in order to ensure smooth rehabilitation in society for juveniles
who have difficulties leading independent lives after release, the
school provides support for learning and working, securing of a
place of residence, and continuous support in collaboration with
medical/welfare institutions.
The Research and Training Institute is one of the agencies of
the Ministry of Justice, and conducts a wide range of work, in-
cluding (i) research related to criminal justice policies and other
Ministry of Justice affairs, (ii) various kinds of training for Minis-
try of Justice officials, and (iii) international cooperation both in
criminal and civil sectors provided for developing countries main-
ly in the Asian region.
Activities of Research and Training Institute
■しかくResearch
The Institute conducts research useful for the Ministry of Jus-
tice to draft measures for prevention and control of crime and
implement policies. The results are summarized in the White Pa-
per on Crime, a foundational
document concerning criminal
justice policy, as well as the
Research Department Reports
or Research Department Ma-
terials, which are themed on
concrete, individual issues
concerning criminal trends
and treatment of offenders.
■しかくTraining
Various types of training are conducted for the officials of the
Ministry of Justice (excluding correctional personnel and those
at the Public Security Intelligence Agency). This training adopts
various formats, such as lectures, debates, and exercises, so
that officials can acquire the knowledge and skills needed as
officials of the Ministry of Justice depending on their duties.
Through this training, the institute aims to foster officials who
can respond appropriately to operations that have become in-
creasingly diverse and complex in recent years.
■しかくInternational Cooperation
[The United Nations Asia and Far East Institute for the
Prevention of Crime and the Treatment of Offenders]
The United Nations Asia and Far East Institute for the Pre-
vention of Crime and the Treatment of Offenders (UNAFEI),
established in 1962 upon an agreement between the UN and
the Government of Japan, regularly organizes training cours-
es and seminars for criminal justice practitioners in devel-
oping countries etc., and also cooperates in the formulation
and implementation of UN strategies.
[Technical Assistance in the Legal Field]
The International Cooperation Department (ICD) of the Re-
search and Training Institute invites legal practitioners of select-
ed countries to Japan for training, and has also dispatched Japa-
nese experts to said countries to give counsel and hold seminars.
The ICD has so far offered support to such countries as Vietnam,
Cambodia, Laos, Indonesia and Myanmar.
See "Promotion of International Cooperation" on page 45 for
more about international cooperation.
The Training Institute for Correctional Personnel of the Min-
istry of Justice provides the necessary work training programs
for personnel engaged in correctional services.
History◦
The Training Institute for Correctional Personnel, a venerable
institute whose predecessor is the Ministry of the Interior Prison
Officers Training Institute, established in 1890, has a long histo-
ry and tradition as a training institution for public officers.
Juvenile Classification Homes Research and Training Institute of the Ministry of Justice
Training Institute for Correctional Personnel
Women’s Guidance Homes
Juvenile Training Schools
Osaka Juvenile Classification Home
Photo of a psychological test at a juvenile classification home (image)
Kakogawa & Harima Juvenile Training School
Photo of guidance on problematic behavior
International Training Course at UNAFEI
Mock Trial in Cambodia
Training Institute for Correctional Personnel
Training at the Training Institute for Correctional Personnel
AbouttheMinistryofJustice
About the Ministry of Justice
White Paper on Crime
Outline of the Organization
The Women’s Guidance Homes confine adult women who are
sentenced to guidance measures by the criminal court for viola-
tion of the Anti-Prostitution Act, and provides living guidance and
vocational training according to their rehabilitation needs.
13 14
An on-site inspection Lecture at an economic organization
order for surveillance, conducts on-site inspections at the facili-
ties of these organizations, and also carries out necessary inves-
tigations.
■しかくCurrent State of Surveillance Measures
In order to uncover the actual activities of Aum Shinrikyo (fo-
cused on the activities of "Aleph" and a group led by Yamada and
"Hikarinowa"), the Agency conducts surveillance of the cult in an
appropriate and rigorous manner. Investigations and on-site in-
spections of Aum Shinrikyo have revealed that the cult still main-
tains a risk of committing an act of indiscriminate mass murder:
the cult has increased the number of new followers through re-
cruitment activities that do not mention its name; the cult also
has maintained teachings designed to increase the followers’ ab-
solute faith in Asahara, who is currently on death row.
■しかくContribution to Intelligence
There are many challenges to the security of Japan and its
people, such as North Korea’s ballistic missile test-launches, nu-
clear development, and abductions of Japanese nationals; Chi-
na’s extensive and rapid modernization of military strength;
threats posed by international terrorism and cyber attacks; and
proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, that need to be
monitored carefully. In particular, Japan has repeatedly faced sit-
uations of heightened tensions with its neighboring countries
regarding the territorial and maritime interests of Japan, and
these situations have become matters of great concern to the
government and relevant organizations of Japan. It has become
one of the most important missions of the Agency, which is
tasked with protecting public security, to collect and analyze rel-
evant intelligence with regard to these challenges, thus contribut-
ing to the government’s policies by providing relevant organiza-
tions, including the National Security Council, with this intelligence.
■しかくInitiative for public-private collaboration
The Agency is strengthening its measures of providing intelli-
gence regarding terrorism, and the Director-General of the Agen-
cy delivers lectures for private corporations and economic asso-
ciations, as well as disseminates the "Summary of International
Terrorism," which outlines the trends of terrorist activities in the
world. The Agency promotes initiatives that protect important
information owned by private corporations and research insti-
tutes by presenting relevant information at the "Public-Private
Forum on Trade Secrets" held by the Ministry of Economy, Trade
and Industry.
The Public Security Intelligence Agency is an administrative in-
stitution that deals comprehensively with intelligence activities
and requests for dispositions regarding the control of subversive
groups and other organizations based on the Subversive Activi-
ties Prevention Act and the Act on the Control of Organizations
Which Have Committed Acts of Indiscriminate Mass Murder.
Furthermore, as a core member of the Japanese intelligence
community, the Agency contributes to the promotion of relevant
governmental policies in various spheres including crisis manage-
ment, foreign policy, and national security, by providing, in a time-
ly and appropriate manner, the relevant organizations with do-
mestic and foreign intelligence/materials related to the public
security of Japan that have been collected and analyzed through
investigation.
The Operations of the Public Security Intelligence Agency
■しかくControl of Subversive Organizations
In Japan, there are many organizations and forces which may
pose a security risk to the public, including Aum Shinrikyo, which
carried out the subway sarin gas attacks; leftist extremists, which
have repeatedly conducted illegal activities including terrorist
and guerilla attacks; right wing groups; and the General Associa-
tion of Korean Residents in Japan. Based on the Subversive Ac-
tivities Prevention Act, the Agency conducts intelligence activi-
ties regarding those organizations which have a potential for
subversive terrorist activities, and when it is deemed necessary
to take control measures as a result, the Agency files an applica-
tion with the Public Security Examination Commission (see page
14) in order to take control measures, such as restricting their
organizational activities or giving them a dissolution order. Also,
in accordance with the Act on the Control of Organizations Which
Have Committed Acts of Indiscriminate Mass Murder, the Agen-
cy files applications with the Commission against organizations
that have committed indiscriminate mass murder in the past and
are still considered dangerous in order to take surveillance meas-
ures or other measures to prevent a recurrence, as well as col-
lects reports from these organizations under the Commission's
The Public Security Examination Commission is an extra-minis-
terial agency of the Ministry created to maintain public security.
Upon receiving an application from the Director-General of the
Public Security Intelligence Agency for regulatory actions on sub-
versive organizations stipulated in the Subversive Activities Pre-
vention Act or the Act on the Control of Organizations Which
Have Committed Acts of Indiscriminate Mass Murder, the Com-
mission examines the application from an objective and neutral
viewpoint and makes a decision on whether control measures are
necessary, and if so, what control measures should be taken.
◎にじゅうまるExtra-Ministerial Bureaus(Public Security Intelligence Agency, Public Security Examination Commission)
Public Security Intelligence Agency Public Security Examination Commission
Work of the Public Security Intelligence Agency
Intelligence contribution to
State administration
Control of subversive Organizations
Decision by the Public Security
Examination Commission on control order
Application for control order
Processing information and data as evidence
Collection and analysis
Domestic information and data Foreign information, materials
Work of the Public Security Examination Commission
Workflow of the Public Security Intelligence Agency and the Public Security Examination Commission
AbouttheMinistryofJustice
About the Ministry of Justice Outline of the Organization
15 16
Business owners that employ ex-offenders and juvenile delin-
quents to help them become independent and rehabilitated are
called "cooperative employers" (see page 38).
The Ministry of Justice promotes financial aid for cooperative
employers as well as support systems that let employers provide
sustainable employment to ex-offenders and juvenile delinquents
with peace of mind.
In order to match inmates with job offers from companies willing to employ released inmates, the Ministry of Justice promotes
measures that allow companies to post job offers in particular correctional institutions through Hello Work.
Further, Employment Support Information Center for Correction (commonly known as "CORRE-Work") was established in Tokyo
and Osaka Regional Correction Headquarters, and commenced operations in November 2016. CORRE-Work collectively manages
information on such things as place of return and acquired qualifications for inmates across the country, and provides companies
willing to employ released inmates with information on institutions housing inmates who meet their needs.
Prisons and juvenile training
schools conduct vocational
training that leads to employ-
ment in businesses with high
levels of social need, such as
construction, nursing care, and
welfare.
Also, in addition to acquiring
technique and skills, trainees
are given guidance that enables
them to acquire the attitude
and abilities needed for work,
such as social manners and
workplace communication abili-ty. At the Ministerial Meeting Concerning Measures Against Crime
in July 2012, the Comprehensive Measures for the Prevention of
Repeat Offenses stipulating the mid- to long-term government ef-
forts toward preventing re-offending were established.
In this strategy, a numerical target to "decrease the rate of in-
There are various factors for committing crimes or turning to
delinquency, and guidance and support for working through and
overcoming individual issues effectively are necessary to prevent
re-offending.
The re-offending rate of those who do not work is three times
higher than those who do. Employment provides not only a steady
income, but is also expected to establish interpersonal relation-
ships through work that will then lead to greater opportunities to
re-establish oneself as an independent member of society.
However, those who have committed crimes or delinquency
For inmates who have
difficulty in rehabilitation
or smooth return to soci-
ety for specified reasons
such as drug dependen-
cy, the following pro-
grams are being conduct-
ed at prisons:
In addition to specialized treatment programs for sexual of-
fenders or drug-related criminals, probation offices have im-
plemented activities that help offenders contribute to society
as well.
Workgroup at a Prison
Cooperative employers
Nursing Care and
Welfare Division
Cleanup activity at a dry
riverbed
Helping prepare lunch
at a welfare facility
Toward
Japanas"the
Safest
Countryinthe
World"
●くろまるGuidance for Overcoming Drug Dependency
●くろまるGuidance for Leaving Organized Crime Groups
●くろまるGuidance for Preventing Re-offending for Sexual Offenses
●くろまるEducation From the Perspectives of Victims
●くろまるGuidance for Traffic Safety
●くろまるGuidance for Job Assistance
mates who become re-imprisoned within two years of release
from prison by more than 20 percent in ten years" was set as the
first ever government efforts toward preventing re-offending. De-
tails are presented in the following.
Therefore, prisons, juvenile training schools, and probation of-
fices seek to enhance effective and seamless treatment based on
empirical studies, according to the individual characteristics.
tend to have difficulty obtaining jobs due to insufficient vocational
abilities or previous criminal records.
The Ministry of Justice has made effort toward work assistance
in cooperation not only with prisons and probation offices, but
with various organizations as well as private citizens such as coop-
erative employers in the community.
Toward Japan as"the Safest Country in theWorld"
Comprehensive Measures for the Prevention of Repeat Offenses
Enhancing Guidance and Support According to Offender Characteristics
Creating a Place to Belong and Work in the Community1Preventing Repeat Offenses
~Establishing the Safest Country in the World~
What kind of questions should be addressed in order
to build the safest country in the world?AQ
Ensuring favorable public security is
not only prerequisite for the success
of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and
Paralympic Games, but also an important basis
to enable women and the young to live
comfortably and with assurance in the
community. It is also an important issue that
can be the "foundation" for development of
the localities.
At the Ministerial Meeting Concerning
Measures Against Crime in December 2013,
the "Strategy to Make Japan ʻthe Safest
Country in the Worldʼ" was approved, and while
efforts for comprehensive crime control were
made by the government as a whole based on
the strategy, the number of reported crimes
decreased, proving that an improvement has
been seen in the public security of Japan.
However, the rate of repeat offenders has
increasing, and the roughly 50 percent of
non‐traffic penal code offenses was repeat
offenders in 2016, and the rate of offenders
returning to prison reached about 60 percent.
Taking the above facts into consideration,
the question of how we should prevent the
repetition of crimes and delinquencies
(=re‐offending, the tendency to repeat
offenses) is a major challenge for
reducing the number of crimes, as
well as for the construction of a
society where people can live safely
and in peace.
The Number of Repeat Offenders Among non-traffic penal code Offenses /Changes in the Rate of Repeat Offenders (1997-2016)0 10 20 30 40 50 010000
20000
40000
30000
50000
1997 2003 2008 2013(%)(persons)
Reimprisoned inmates First‐time inmates Rate of Inmates Reimprisoned 2016
Reimprisoned inmates:110,306
First‐time inmates:116,070
48.7%
PICK UP!
(Note 1)
Annual Report of Statistics on Correction
(Note 2)
"First‐time inmates" refer to inmates imprisoned to penal institutions for the first time and
Guidance Provided at Prisons and Probation Offices
Vocational Training that Meets the Needs of the Society Efforts in the Community
■しかく Securing Work to Lead an Independent Life
Providing Employment Information for Inmates
ACTION!
●くろまる Examples of activities that contribute to society ●くろまる1We are recruiting
companies to serve
as cooperative
employers.117 181Toward Japan as "the Safest Country in the World"
For inmates who can rely on relatives, arrangements are
made so that they can receive support from their relatives
after release.
Meanwhile, for offenders whose repeated criminal behavior
has estranged them from relatives, have become isolated with
no one to support them, and have no place to return to, efforts
are made to provide them with temporary housing, such as
relief and rehabilitation facilities (see page 37).
Also, for inmates who have difficulty in leading independent
lives such as the elderly or disabled, improvements have been
made to the systems in cooperation with correctional
institutions/probation offices and local public authorities so
that they can receive appropriate welfare services after their
release.
To enhance treatment for inmates who have difficulty leading in-
dependent lives, such as the elderly, the disabled, or those de-
pendent on drugs, the Ministry has striven since 2011 to secure
a variety of places that can accept these inmates using housing
managed by NPOs (self-support homes) in addition to stationing
officials with professional qualifications in the fields of welfare and
psychology fields and strengthening the ability of rehabilitation
facilities to accept inmates.
A room of
a rehabilitation
facility
Strengthening Function of Rehabilitation Facilities and Securing a Variety of Housing
■しかく Ensuring a Place to Belong in the Community
Education at a relief and
rehabilitation facility
Governor of Nagasaki Houdou Na-
kamura meeting Minister of Justice
Yoko Kamikawa (6/9/2017)
Minister of Justice Yoko Kamikawa
sharing opinions with members of a
local Ministry of Justice Agency
To make Japan "the Safest Country in the World", without re-
peated crime and, above all, with no new victims, where citizens
can live in safety and peace, it is essential to create a social envi-
ronment in which those who once committed crimes or delinquen-
cy can be accepted naturally as responsible members of society
without rejection and isolation (re-entry).
To achieve such a society, the declaration "No Return to Crime,
No Facilitating Return to Crime" was approved at the Ministerial
Meeting Concerning Measures Against Crime held in December
2014.
Many drug addicts who have had difficulty recovering and many
elderly or disabled who have committed crimes fall between the
cracks of criminal justice and the local community, and return to
crime without receiving the necessary support.
For this reason, the Emergency Measures to Prevent Re-offend-
ing in Drug Addicts and Elderly Criminals, which focuses on drug
Many drug addicts who have had difficulty recovering and many
elderly or disabled who have committed crimes fall between the
cracks of criminal justice and local community, and return to
crime without receiving necessary support.
For this reason, the Emergency Measures to Prevent re-offend-
ing in Drug Addicts and Elderly Criminals, which focuses on drug
addicts and elderly criminals, were formulated in July 2017 at the
Ministerial Meeting Concerning Measures Against Crime.
These measures promote the following three policies and aim
to establish a nationwide network by 2020 that supports the re-
covery of drug addicts and elderly or disabled persons who have
committed crimes.
Across Japan, many people from the private sector,
such as volunteer probation officers and cooperative em-
ployers are working on a daily basis to help prevent re-of-
fending. Furthermore, a good number of local government
offices and corporations support these activities as well.
Among these local efforts, many important keys for pro-
moting re-offending prevention are to be found.
For this reason, The Ministry of Justice has launched a
Re-offending Prevention Campaign with the Minister,
State Minister of Justice, and Parliamentary Vice-Minister
for Justice leading teams that travel around the country
listening to the voices of officials and people from the pri-
vate sector involved in re-offending prevention, and
speaking with leaders of key organizations in the commu-
nity to promote fuller understanding of and cooperation
with measures to prevent re-offending.
In 2002, the known number of general criminal law offenses
rose to 2.85 million, and the crime-arrest fell sharply to an ex-
tremely low level, making the deterioration of public security a
serious problem. In response to this situation, the government
launched a Ministerial Meeting Concerning Measures Against
Crime in 2003 and concentrated government-wide efforts on
measures to prevent crime.
These efforts resulted in significant improvement, with a re-
duction in the crime rate to less than half that of the worst peri-
od in postwar Japan. However, a survey of public opinion con-
ducted by the Cabinet Office in July of 2012 revealed that there
was still a high level of fear about public security, and with the
addicts and elderly criminals, were formulated in July 2017 at the
Ministerial Meeting Concerning Measures Against Crime.
These measures promote the following three policies and aim to
establish a nationwide network by 2020 that supports the recov-
ery of drug addicts and elderly or disabled persons who have
committed crimes.
Aimed at securing work and housing, which are key to prevent-
ing re-offending, this declaration asks for the effort of the nation
and support from citizens by setting the following two numerical
targets that to be achieved by 2020.
❶ triple the number of companies willing to employ those
who have committed crimes or turned to delinquency
by understanding their conditions
❷ 
reduce the number of those who return to society from
prisons without any place to go back to by more than 30
percent.
❶ An integrated system of guidance provided by correction
and probation facilities, as well as medical treatment by
medical facilities to aid drug addicts in their recovery
❷ The provision of guidance and support through all stages
of the criminal justice system in conjunction with the local
community
❸ Promotion of long-term civic support initiatives to facili-
tate rehabilitation
Implementing these initiatives in an integrated fashion will ensure that
the Comprehensive Measures to Prevent Re-offending will achieve their
numerical targets, and will help make Japan "the Safest Country in the
World," a country in which crimes are not repeated and in which people
can live with safety and peace of mind.
emergence of new threats such as cybercrime and international
terror, and with the approach of the 2020 Tokyo Olympic and
Paralympic Games, it was evident that new efforts had to be
made to further reduce crime and restore faith among citizens
in public security. Toward this end, in December of 2013, the
Ministerial Meeting Concerning Measures Against Crime agreed
to a Strategy to Make Japan ‘the Safest Country in the World’,
which was adopted in a cabinet decision.
Based on this strategy, the Ministry of Justice will implement
measures to prevent re-offending (see pages 15-18), starting
with the following efforts.
-Toward a Bright Society Where Everyone Supports Rehabilitation-
–Establishment of a Long-Term Support Network to Facilitate Rehabilitation–
Declaring"No Return to Crime, No Facilitating Return to Crime"
Emergency Measures to Prevent Re-offending by Drug Addicts and Elderly Criminals
Efforts to Achieve Safety and Security
■しかく Strategy to Make Japan "the Safest Country in the World"
再犯防止対策 Search
For further information on the
prevention of re-offending
The Ministry of Justice website introduces a wide range
of information regarding prevention of re‐offending.
Please check the website for regularly updated content.
Toward
Japanas"the
Safest
Countryinthe
World"
Preventing re-offending is not easy, but it is an issue we must
never give up on.
The Ministry of Justice will face this issue squarely, and strive to
make progress through gaining understanding and cooperation
from as many citizens as possible to help make Japan "the Safest
Country in the World."
Re-offending Prevention Campaign
Re-offending Prevention Act & Re-offending Prevention Promotion Plan
The Re-offending Prevention Act, which, along with clarifying
the responsibilities of the national and local governments, sets
basic countermeasures and stipulates the comprehensive and
systematic promotion of measures to prevent re-offending in
order to create a society where citizens can live in safety and
peace, was announced and took effect in December 2017.
Moreover, the Review Committee for the Re-offending Pre-
vention Promotion Plan, chaired by the State Minister of Jus-
tice, was established in February 2018 to discuss the matters
listed in the Re-offending Prevention Promotion Plan Draft cre-
ated by the Minister of Justice based on the said law, resulting
in many meetings with relevant ministries and committees of
private experts. A review committee was then held to compile
a plan proposal, and after passing throw the public comment,
the Cabinet decided on the Re-offending Prevention Promo-
tion Plan in December 2018.
We ask everyone to understand the intent of this law and this
plan, support rehabilitation, and further ask for cooperation
and understanding on these measures to prevent Re-offending
to help create a society in which everyone can live with peace
of mind.
19 20
1 Toward Japan as "the Safest Country in the World"
In order to deal effectively with the frequent occurrence of violent
crimes by foreign nationals as well as the increasing number of inter-
national crimes, it is necessary to gather evidence from abroad more
effectively and strengthen cooperation between foreign investigative
authorities and Japan.
Examples of such enhancement of cooperation include the Treaty
between Japan and the United States of America on Mutual Legal
Assistance in Criminal Matters (entered into force on July 21, 2006),
the Treaty between Japan and the Republic of Korea on Mutual Legal
Assistance in Criminal Matters (entered into force on January 26,
2007), the Treaty between Japan and the People’s Republic of China
on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters (entered into force on
November 23, 2008), the Agreement between Japan and the Hong
Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China
on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters (entered into force on
In order to protect the lives and safety of citizens, it is highly
important to prevent those who intend to enter Japan for illicit
purposes, such as terrorists and criminals who disguise them-
selves as tourists, from entering the country at the borders and
ports of entry. To ensure that such illegal entrants are identified,
the Immigration Bureau conducts strict and effective immigration
examinations and implements surveillance and monitoring through
the methods below.
●くろまる
Immigration Examinations Through the Use of Biometric
Information (Fingerprints and Facial Photographs)
The bureau strives to prevent the entry of terrorists or those
who intend to illegally enter the country with forged or altered
passports that hide records of their deportation.
●くろまる
Utilization of Database of Stolen and Lost Travel Docu-
ments Provided by the International Criminal Police Organ-
ization (ICPO)
In order to prevent terrorists impersonating others using lost or
stolen passports from entering the country, immigration examina-
tions are conducted using the ICPO database of stolen and lost
travel documents.
●くろまる
Utilization of API (Advance Passenger Information) and
PNR (Passenger Name Record)
We obtain API (advance passenger information) in advance from
aircrafts and vessels entering Japan, and stringently crosscheck
the information against lists of suspicious persons such as terror-
ists, and moreover, strive to detect persons who pose a high risk
in terms of immigration control such as terrorists, illegal residents,
In September 2013, the Public Security Intelligence Agency
established the Special Task Force for Intelligence for the 2020
Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games to strengthen intelligence
functions related to the Olympic events on a long-term basis.
Terrorism has become an increasingly real threat, as demon-
strated by the terror attack in Dhaka, Bangladesh in July 2016,
which had Japanese nationals as victims, as wells as the fre-
quent outbreak of terror attacks aimed at soft targets by those
influenced by international terrorist groups. In addition, extrem-
ist groups in Japan have carried out illegal activities and have
reinforced cooperation with anti-globalization organizations
abroad. In order to deal appropriately with these situations, the
Agency is strengthening its efforts in gathering and analyzing
information related to international terrorism and these domes-
tic groups, as well as strengthening systems for providing perti-
nent information to Japanese citizens traveling or living abroad,
and in addition is cooperating with the International Counter-Ter-
rorism Intelligence Collection Unit and other relevant organiza-
tions as part an effort to promote and strengthen measures to
prevent terrorism and other illegal activities.
Furthermore, to strengthen counter-intelligence functions and
prevent the proliferation of materials and technology related to
weapons of mass destruction, the Agency also diligently pur-
sues the gathering and analysis of related intelligence. In addi-
tion, with regard to increasingly serious threats to the cyber-
space, the Agency gathers and analyzes related intelligence and
provides it to relevant organizations in a timely manner, contrib-
uting to the government’s measures against cyber attacks.
Also, the Agency has verified the danger and anti-social na-
ture of Aum Shinrikyo, as there are still believers who place ab-
solute faith in the condemned criminal Asahara, and continues
to conduct surveillance on the group with appropriate diligence
and provide relevant local authorities upon request with the in-
vestigation results based on this surveillance in order to protect
public security and alleviate fear and anxiety of local residents.
Along with measures at the borders and ports of entry, reduc-
ing the number of foreign nationals currently residing in Japan
illegally is important in restoring security. The Immigration Bu-
reau strives to reduce the number of illegal residents by rein-
forcing crackdowns, implementing safe and secure deportation,
preventing illegal employment, and publicizing the departure
order system more widely.
In addition, the existence of imposter residets disguising
themselves as legal residents using forged or altered docu-
ments to disguise their identity and purpose in order to work il-
legally has become a problem in recent years. Thus, the bureau
has promoted the analysis of information on foreign residents
obtained from the new residence management system intro-
duced in July 2012, and through this analysis, has endeavored
to build a society without illegal aliens taking proactive measures
against imposter residents, such as revoking status of residence
through proper procedures.
September 24, 2009), the Agreement between Japan and the Europe-
an Union on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters (entered into
force on January 2, 2011), the Treaty between Japan and the Russian
Federation on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters (entered
into force on February 11, 2011), the Convention on Cybercrime (en-
tered into force on November 1, 2012), the United Nations Conven-
tion against Transnational Organized Crime (entered into force on
August 10, 2017) and the United Nations Convention against Corrup-
tion (entered into force on August 10, 2017). These treaties, agree-
ments and conventions enable communication for the collection of
evidence not through diplomatic channels but directly between the
Ministry of Justice or the National Police Agency and the judicial au-
thorities of respective countries or regions, expediting the process.
The Ministry of Justice is committed to further strengthening interna-
tional cooperation.
and imposter residents by analyzing and utilizing PNR (passenger
name record).
●くろまる
Reinforcement of Information Collection and Analysis
In October 2015,
the Center of Collection and Analysis of Intel-
ligence was established in order to enhance intelligence gathering
and conduct immigration control that utilizes pertinent informa-
tion.
●くろまる
Implementation of Patrols at Seaports and Other Meas-ures As well as conducting patrols and searches on ships at seaports
and other places in order to prevent cases of smuggling using
ships, patrols have also been implemented to prevent cases of
exploitation of airport transit areas.
■しかく Cooperation Between the Foreign Investigative Authorities and Japan
■しかく Public Security Intelligence Agency
■しかく Measures Against Illegal Foreign Residents
■しかく Measures at the Borders
Immigration examinations through
the use of biometric information
The "Summary of
International Terrorism"
(2017 edition)
The "Summary of International Terrorism" (Web version)
Scene at the port patrol
Changes in the Number of Foreigners Overstaying Their Visas (Jan. 2007-Jan. 2017)
...171
...150
...113
... 92
... 78
... 67
... 62
... 59
... 60
... 63
... 65
Jan, 2012
Jan, 2011
Jan, 2010
Jan, 2009
Jan, 2008
Jan, 2007
Jan, 2013
Jan, 2014
Jan, 2015
Jan, 2016
Jan, 2017
Number of overstayers
(thousand persons)
(Month,Year)1The Public Security Intelligence Agency website
http://www.moj.go.jp/psia/
Every year, the Public Security Intelligence Agency
publishes the Summary of International Terrorism,
a review of global terrorism trends. This Summary
can also be viewed (as a Web version) on the
Public Security Intelligence Agency website.
( http://www.moj.go.jp/psia/)
2003 2008 20131998(%)
(cases)0500000
1000000
1500000
2000000
2500000
30000000102030405060996,120
33.8%
Number of reported cases Clearance rate2016Number of reported cases
Source : Criminal Statistics by National Police Agency
Clearance rate
Number of Reported Cases and Arrest Rates for General Criminal Offenses (1998-2016)
Toward
Japanas"the
Safest
Countryinthe
World"
21 22
●くろまるThe Basic Act on Crime Victims
The Basic Act on Crime Victims was enacted in April 2005
with the intent of comprehensively and systematically promoting
policies to protect the rights and interests of crime victims and
their family members (victims of crime and victims of acts simi-
lar to crime that adversely affect the body and mind of victims
as well as their families or the bereaved).
The Japan Legal Support Center (Houterasu) does the admin-
istrative work of nominating candidates as court-appointed at-
torneys for victims and notifying the court, as well as provides
travel expenses for victim participants, offers information to
support crime victims and their families, introduces attorneys
●くろまる
Remission Payment System
Under the Act on Issuance of Remission Payments Using Sto-
len and Misappropriated Property it is now possible under cer-
tain conditions to confiscate property obtained by offenders
through property offenses, and to use this confiscated property
in the recovery of damages suffered by the crime victims of
relevant cases.
●くろまる
Victim Participation System
The victims of crimes such as murder or injury may, when they
so wish and with the court's permission, attend the trial dates,
and engage in activities such as questioning the defendant un-
der certain requirements.
●くろまる
Travel Expenses Payment System for Victim Participants
To reduce the economic burden of victim participants under
the Victim Participation System, a system has been established
whereby the government pays travel expenses, daily allowances,
and accommodation charges to victim participants who attend
the trial dates.
●くろまる
State-Appointed Attorney for Victim Participants
A victim participant can request the court to appoint an attor-
ney for assistance, under certain requirements, with a system in
place for the state to cover fees.
●くろまる
Restitution Order System
A system has been established that allows the criminal court
to conduct swift and simplified trials for restitution claims by
victims of crimes such as murder or injury against the accused,
using the outcome of criminal proceedings.
●くろまるThe Basic Plan for Crime Victims
Based on the Basic Act on Crime Victims, the Ministry of Jus-
tice has promoted various support measures under the Basic
Plan for Crime Victims adopted in December 2005 and the Sec-
ond Basic Plan for Crime Victims adopted in March 2011.
Because the target period of the Second Plan for Crime Vic-
tims terminated at the end of FY 2015, the Third Basic Plan for
Crime Victims was adopted in a Cabinet meeting in April 2016.
The Ministry of Justice promote various support measures in
accordance with the Third Basic Plan and other plans.
●くろまる
Observation System of Juvenile Trials by Victims
A system is in place that allows victims or family of victims of
serious cases such as murder to observe the proceedings of a
juvenile trial.
●くろまる
Hearing of Victims’ Opinions and Conveyance of Feelings
Systems are in place that allow crime victims to voice their
opinions during parole examinations by Regional Parole Boards,
as well as to have their feelings regarding damages heard and
conveyed to the offender while on probation.
In implementing these measures, officers specifically in charge
of these measures are positioned at each probation office (vic-
tim-specific officers and victim-specific volunteer probation of-
ficers).
●くろまる
Victim Notification System
The public prosecutor’s office notifies crime victims of informa-
tion related to their cases, including decisions on prosecution,
trial outcomes, and the dates of offenders' release, as well as in-
formation on offenders, such as treatment of offenders after the
final decision of a criminal trial and of offenders under protective
measures, upon victims' request and in collaboration with relevant
organizations.
Support for Crime Victims
■しかく The Basic Act on Crime Victims and the Basic Plan for Crime Victims
■しかく The Japan Legal Support Center (Houterasu)
■しかく Concrete Support Measures2Promotion of Judicial System Reform21 Toward Japan as "the Safest Country in the World"
The justice system is expected to play an even larger role in
the 21st century due to various social changes, including change
from a society of ex-ante regulation and coordination to one of
ex-post facto checks and remedies, making it necessary to con-
tinue strengthening judiciary function and establish a new legal
system that is readily accessible to the general public.
To achieve a justice system that is faster, more reliable, and
more familiar to the public, the Ministry has implemented reform
based on the following three fundamental principles: (1) con-
struction of a justice system that meets the expectations of cit-
izens; (2) reform of the legal community to support the justice
system; and (3) establishment of the foundations of justice
among citizens (citizen participation in the justice system). A
total of 24 acts related to judicial system reform were enacted
and implemented in the three years from 2002 to 2004.
In the future, we must work to establish this judicial system
reform so that the justice system can fully exercise its function
and the public can share in the fruits of reform.
Being in charge of the justice system, the Ministry of Justice
is ready to take appropriate measures to meet the demands of
a new age while giving due regard to the aims of judicial system
reform.
Ensuring that the Results of Justice System Reforms Take Root
Government
Efforts
July 1999
▶ Justice System Reform Council (JSRC) within the Cabinet established
June 2001
▶ Recommendations of the JSRC to the Cabinet submitted
December 2001
▶ Office for Promotion of Justice System Reform (OPJSR) within the Cabinet established
(time limit for establishment: November 2004)
March 2002
▶ Plan for Promotion of Justice System Reform approved by the Cabinet
December 2004
▶ Office for Promotion of Justice System Reform established within the Cabinet Secretariat
(until: December 2009)
The Three
Pillars of the
Reform
●くろまるEstablishment of the Japan Legal Support Center (Houterasu)
The Center aims to enable citizens to acquire information and services necessary to settle disputes
based on law anywhere in Japan. (Concerning the Japan Legal Support Center, please see page 32 of
"Implementation of Comprehensive Legal Support by the Japan Legal Support Center")
●くろまるEnhancement of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)
The function of ADR (Alternative Dispute Resolution), which allows for autonomous and flexible dispute
settlement, will be enhanced in addition to enhancing its functions of adjudication. (For enhancement of
ADR, please see page 31 of "Legal Services" )
●くろまるImprovement and Acceleration of Criminal Trials
Punitive authority shall be exercised more appropriately and expeditiously through the introduction of
pretrial arrangement proceedings and state‐appointed counsel.
●くろまるPromoting Translation of Japanese Laws
Translation of Japanese laws shall be promoted in order to build a foundation for facilitating
international transactions and promoting direct foreign investment.
●くろまるEducation System Reform for the Legal Community
Cultivate the legal community through law schools, the national bar examination, and legal training.
●くろまるIncreasing the Number of Legal Professionals
Cultivate the legal community in terms of both quality and quantity, and increase the number of legal
professionals.
●くろまるLay Judge System ‐"Saiban‐in System"
A system in which citizens participate in criminal trials. commenced May 21, 2009
●くろまるPromotion of Law‐Related Education
Understand the significance of law and judicial process, and acquire ways of thinking that support a free
and just society.
Construction of a Justice System that Meets the Expectations of the People
Reform of the Legal Community
Establishment of the Foundations of Justice Among Citizens
PromotionofJudicial
System
Reform
with experience and understanding of victim assistance, and
provides legal consultation aid to victims of stalking, domestic
violence, and child abuse, regardless of financial economic sta-tus.23 24
2 Promotion of Judicial System Reform2 The Ministry of Justice is working to translate Japanese law
into a foreign language and make them available online, with
English translations of more than 590 laws available on the Jap-
anese Law Translation website, created specifically for this pur-
pose. In addition, with the cohesive translation of Japanese law
as its goal, the Ministry of Justice has compiled and published
the Standard Legal Terms Dictionary as a guideline, with bilin-
gual entries for legal terms in both Japanese and English.
The Ministry hopes to continue publishing revised editions of
With regard to the criminal justice system, a variety of re-
forms, such as the Saiban-in (lay judge) system, have been ad-
vanced as part of reform judicial system reform. On the other
hand, discussions on reform have highlighted problems, such as
procedural methods for investigations and trials suitable to this
new era, which remain on the agenda to be examined in the fu-
ture.
Under these circumstances, questions have been raised about
whether the criminal justice system methods for investigations
and trials may be too dependent on interrogations and confes-
sion statements. In order for the system to fully achieve its goal
of ensuring the safe and secure livelihood of citizens, it is neces-
sary to examine diverse issues and to build a new criminal justice
system based on such suggestions.
In May 2011, in order to establish a new criminal justice sys-
tem that keeps pace with the times, the Minister of Justice
called on the Legislative Council of the Ministry of Justice to
deliberate ways to develop substantive criminal and procedural
law relating to criminal cases, and in a report submitted to the
Minister in September 2014, the Council delivered two princi-
ples: (1) the moderation and the diversification of evidence-gath-
Commenced May 21, 2009, saiban-in is a system in which
jurors selected from the general public participate in the criminal
trials for serious cases. The jurors, along with professional
judges, determine whether the defendant is guilty and what the
sentence should be.
Law-related education aims to enable citizens who are not le-
gal professionals to understand laws, the judicial system, and
the values that underlie them. Following the reforms in various fields and deregulation in
Japan, it has become even more crucial to prevent disputes and
solve them fairly based on law once they occur. Furthermore, as
is symbolized by the lay judge system(see page 24), it is essential
for every citizen to take an active role in the judicial system so
that it is supported nationally. This has made law-related
■しかく The Importance of Law-Related Education
The Law-Related Education Promotion Council established by
the Ministry of Justice aims to increase opportunities to learn
about law and the judicial system and to promote law-related
education in schools through such activities as developing
teaching materials for law-related education.
The Ministry of Justice will continue its efforts to enhance and
develop law-related education for citizens, especially those
involved in education.
the dictionary and information on English translations of the law
in subsequent additions to this website in the future as well.
ering and (2) the improvement of trial procedure.
Based on this report, the Ministry of Justice prepared and
submitted a proposal for a bill to revise the Code of Criminal
Procedure and other codes to the 189th session of the Diet.
This bill includes nine items necessary for the new criminal jus-
tice system: i) introducing audiovisual recording systems for in-
terrogations, ii) introducing a prosecutorial agreement system
for cooperation in investigations and trials, iii) rationalizing and
streamlining the interception of electronic communication, iv)
clarifying elements for consideration concerning whether to ad-
mit discretionary bail, v) improving legal assistance by defense
counsels, vi) broadening information disclosure systems, vii) in-
troducing measures for protecting victims and witnesses, viii)
raising statutory penalties of crimes related to obstruction of
justice, and ix) introducing measures to simplify and accelerate
trials when defendants admit their guilt. The bill incorporates all
the items mentioned above into the present criminal justice sys-
tem and aims to establish a more moderate and more effective
criminal justice system.
The law was enacted into law in May 2016. Parts of it have
already been enforced, with the rest coming into force in stages.
This system will make the justice system more familiar to
citizens.
The Ministry of Justice has conducted public relations in order
to deepen citizen understanding of this system.
education, which aims to give citizens a deeper understanding of
laws and the judicial system, even more important.
The Courses of Study, the national curriculum standard,
provides that students study the basic concepts of laws, the
significance of public involvement in judicial proceedings, and
the importance of contract.
Considering the importance of law-related education, the
Ministry of Justice is working on its improvement and
development, and will continue efforts to improve the content of
law-related education at schools and other places in cooperation
with Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and
Technology, and other relevant organizations.
education, which aims to give citizens a deeper understanding of
laws and the judicial system, even more important.
Promotion of Translation of Japanese Laws
Establishing a New Criminal Justice System that Keeps Pace with the Times
Saiban-in System
Enrichment and Development of Law-Related Education
The Japanese Law
Translation website
http://www.japaneselawtranslation.go.jp
■しかく Law-Related Education
■しかく The Law-Related Education Promotion Council
"Hourisu‐kun"( (Law‐Related Education mascot,
Hourisu‐kun was chosen by
popular vote. Hourisu‐kun plays an
active role in law‐related teaching
materials and more to help make it
more familiar to the general public.
Appointment Procedure
※(注記)At this stage the candidates do not need
to appear in the court.
Persons selected by lot as next yearʼ s
candidates for jurors are notified of
their selection.
The candidates who have been
further selected by lot for each trial
will be notified of the date of their
court appearance by writ of sum‐
mons.
Six jurors will be appointed through
procedure at court.
Around November About six weeks before
the trial
The day of the appointment
procedure
Duties of jurors
Jurors hear witness testimonies and
examine the evidence.
Jurors and professional judges
deliberate and determine together
whether the defendant is guilty and
what the sentence will be.
Trial Deliberations
The presiding judge renders the judg‐
ment.
Judgment
For more information
about the system,
please refer to
our website
http://www.moj.go.jp/
keiji1/saibanin̲index.html
A courtroom for jury trials Deliberation room
PromotionofJudicial
System
Reform
25 26
Realization of Basic Rights for People33
As a regional organization of the Ministry of Justice, the Legal
Affairs Bureau is responsible for civil administrative affairs that
protect the property and
identity of citizens, such as
registration, family register,
nationality, and deposits, as
well as litigation work rele-
vant to the interests of the
State and the human rights
affairs that protect basic
human rights.
Real Estate Property Registration is a system that records the
actual condition of our important property, including the location and
area of land and buildings, the name and address of the owner, and
the rights involved in a public book called a registry in a way that
anyone can understand so as to create safe, smooth real estate
dealings.
In order to clarify the exact location and dimensions of
registered land, the registry office includes in the registration
documents a map called a Registry Office Designated Map,
created by high-precision surveying. However, since maintenance
of Registry Office Designated Maps is insufficient because many
registry offices use old maps created in the Meiji era, experts
with specialized knowledge and many years of experience in the
registry office have promoted the creation of Registry Office
Designated Maps around the country.
Parcel Boundary Demarcation is a system in which, based on
requests from registered landowners, Registrars for Parcel
Boundary Demarcation specify the location of land boundaries
on-site based on the opinion of external experts called Parcel
Boundary Examiners. Registrars for Parcel Boundary Demarca-
tion do not make decide new
boundaries, but rather clarify
original boundaries set at the
time of registration after con-
ducting a range of investiga-
tions, including field research
and surveys.
When issues regarding parcel
boundaries arise, use of this
system makes it possible to re-
solve of the problem without
filing for litigation promptly.
Companies play an indispensable role in the economic activity
of our country, and must obtain the corporate status needed to
hold the legal rights and upon which such economic activities
are premised through commercial registration. Thus, commercial
registration is an important system that serves as a basis for the
economic activities of companies in order to ensure safe and
smooth transactions. The Companies Act was enacted on May
1, 2006, and contains provisions to make corporate management
more effective and flexible to ensure that corporate management
remains open and sound and amends company classifications
from the point of view of consumers.
The Adult Guardianship System is designed to protect and
support those unable to make decisions for themselves due to
conditions such as dementia, intellectual disability, or psychiatric
disorders, by appointing a guardian to handle affairs, such as
managing assets or entering into contracts, on their behalf.
In the Adult Guardianship Registration system, a registrar reg-
isters the authority of the adult guardians appointed by the
court, and registers the details of voluntary guardian contracts
made by notarial deed, and this information is made public in the
form of a certificate.
Registering inheritance clarifies rights regarding estate and
enables you to sell property that you have acquired through
inheritance immediately or take out a mortgage as collateral.
On the other hand, if real estate is inherited multiple times, it
may take a considerable amount of time to identify the heir, with
high procedural costs and fees for the inheritance registration.
If the inheritance process takes too much time, it might bring
you unforeseen disadvantages, such as being unable to sell your
real property immediately even though you would like to.
In order to secure your rights as well as the rights of future
generations, we recommend you register your inheritance.
After many years of saving, I purchased my home. But
later, someone claiming to be the owner of the house
appeared. When I checked the registry, I found out
that this person was listed as the owner. When I looked
more carefully, it appeared that, after I purchased the
house, the seller sold this person the house at a higher
price. Isn’t the owner of the house me, since I bought
the house earlier?
Unfortunately, you will not be able to claim owner-
ship. Even though you purchased the house earlier,
since it was not registered as your house, you will
not be able to claim ownership as third parties. In
order to avoid such trouble, it is important to regis-
ter property properly as soon as possible after
completing a transaction.
When the land around Roppongi Hills was redeveloped, it
took considerable time and money to define land parcel
boundaries because only the old map existed.
In order to prevent such problems, a highly accurate Registry
Office Designated Map is required. The development of
Registry Office Designated Maps supports smoother economic
activities such as land development.
A parcel boundary is a line that defines the position and
dimensions of the land at the time of registration. The parcel
boundary cannot be changed through agreements between
the owners.
The Legal Affairs Bureaus are divided into 8 blocks nationwide, with
a Legal Affair Bureau in charge of each block (8 bureaus), and placed
under these Legal Affairs Bureaus are the District Legal Affairs Bu-
reaus, which are generally responsible for prefectural units (42 bu-
reaus).
Moreover, Branch District Legal Affairs Bureaus and Branch Offices
have been placed under the Legal Affairs Bureaus and District Legal
Affairs Bureaus.
The Legal Affairs Bureaus, District Legal Affairs Bureaus and Branch
District Legal Affairs Bureaus
are responsible for registra-
tion, family register, nationality,
deposit office deposits, litiga-
tion, and human rights affairs,
while Branch Offices are main-
ly responsible for registration.
Legal Affairs Bureau
System for Documenting Your Rights
◆だいやまーく Registration (This system creates a public register on property and rights for the Legal Affairs Bureau and announces it to the public.)
■しかく Responsibilities of the Legal Affairs Bureau
■しかく 
Protecting Assets:
Real Estate Property Registration
■しかく 
Define Your Parcel of Land Clearly:
Creating a Registry Office Designated Map
■しかく Solving Boundary Disputes
-Parcel Boundary Demarcation-
■しかく Commercial and Corporate Registration
■しかくAdult Guardianship System and
Adult Guardianship Registration System
If you don’t register...
What is a Parcel Boundary?
■しかく Inheritance Registration for the Future
■しかく Organization of the Legal Affairs Bureau
Old Map Registry Office Designated Map
Tokyo Legal Affairs Bureau
For further details, please check
the Legal Affairs Bureau website.
http://houmukyoku.moj.go.jp/homu/static/index.html
Total Number of Registrations (2016)
Other
registrations
217,671
Real estate
property
registrations
11,639,618
Commercial and
corporate
registrations
1,552,863
Total number of
applications for
registration
13,410,152QA
Public awareness poster for the
Parcel Boundary Demarcation system
RealizationofBasic
RightsforPeople
State of the Legal Affairs
Bureau
Economic Activity and
Registry Office Designated Maps
In addition to the above-mentioned legal systems, we have
promoted various measures to establish a registration system
appropriate to today’s advanced information society, including
enhancing the organization of personnel working in clerical reg-
istration, establishing work processing systems such as mecha-
nization and streamlining of office work, optimizing registration
office placement, and improving government buildings.
Also, in order to meet the needs of today’s IT advances, we
have introduced a registry information service through which
registered information can be verified online and an electronic
certification system based on commercial registry, and have
also made available online registration applications for real es-
tate property, commerce and incorporation, transfer of assigned
movables, transfer of receivables, and adult guardianship regis-
tration.
■しかく Efforts to Implement Registration
27 28
3 Realization of Basic Rights for People
Family registration is a system that notarizes kinship of a person
from birth until death, are made for every Japanese national, and are
the only public document that notarizes a person’s Japanese
nationality. Family registration is handled by each city, town or village,
but the State (Director of the Legal Affairs Bureau or the District
Legal Affairs Bureau) gives advice, suggestions or instructions to
ensure that registration is performed in a smooth, proper, and uniform
manner throughout the country.
In recent years, the existence of people for whom a birth certificate
has not been issued and are thus not entered in a family register has
become social issue. Therefore, the Ministry of Justice has posted an
explanation of the procedure for entering such persons in a family
register on the Ministry of Justice website.
(http://www.moj.go.jp/MINJI/minji04_00034.html)
Meanwhile, starting May 1, 2008, the Family Register Act restricts
cases in which a third person can request the issuance of a copy of a
family register, and stipulates that identification must be shown when
the applicant submits information for registration.
Notarization is a system under which a notary, a State agent
whose function is to officially certify legal matters related to the
legal life of a private person, such as contracts, certifies matters
as prescribed by law by such means as creating documents. By
having a notary participate in the preparation of the contract in
advance and check the legality and the validity of the contents,
this system guarantees the protection of individual’s rights and
helps prevent possible future legal disputes, and in this sense, is
a preventive justice system.
Notaries are commissioned by the persons or parties involved
to create notarized documents such as wills, certify private
instruments and articles of incorporation, and attaching a
certified date.
With regard to digital documents, notaries can certify private
documents, attach certified dates, and save or certification of
digital information (electric notary system).
Notaries are appointed, instructed, and supervised by the
Minister of Justice (Legal Affairs Bureau directors, District Legal
Affairs Bureau directors). About 500 notaries are working in
about 300 notary offices throughout the country.
The deposit system is designed to accomplish certain legal
objectives by submitting money or negotiable securities to na-
tional organizations called deposit offices, entrusting manage-
ment to the deposit office, who ultimately allows the rights hold-
er to acquire the assets.
An online deposit application system has been implemented in
response to IT advances in today’s society, and in an effort to
reduce the burden on applicants, deposit applications for pend-
ing cases can be made easily by presenting a deposit card, and
a large number of deposit applications can be made at the same
time using a dedicated application system tool.
Nationality is the qualification of an individual to be a national
of a particular country. The Ministry of Justice performs various
functions related to Japanese nationality, including the following.
❶ 
Work related to naturalization when a foreign national
wishes to acquire Japanese nationality
❷ 
Work related to applications for acquisition of Japanese
nationality
❸ 
Work related to applications for renouncement of Japa-
nese nationality
❹ 
Work related to the choice of nationality by a person
who has dual nationality
❺ 
Work related to recognition of Japanese nationality
❻ 
Consultation concerning nationality
An amended Nationality Act was enacted on January 1, 2009,
which has changed the conditions for acquiring Japanese na-
tionality under the provision of the third article of the Nationality
Act, and has established new penal regulations.
◆だいやまーくFamily Registration ◆だいやまーくNotary System
◆だいやまーくDeposits
◆だいやまーくNationality
Statistics on Family Registration (from Apr. 2016 to Mar. 2017)
Number of Deposits (from Apr. 2016 to Mar. 2017)
Total Number of Naturalizations Approved
Deaths
1,714,217
Others
1,521,256
Births
1,433,751
Divorces
360,996
Marriages
1,458,896
Total
6,489,116
■しかくNumber of Cases ■しかくAmount of Money
Deposits received
412,710
Deposits paid out
223,572
Deposits received
346,487,504,500 yen
Deposits paid out
237,854,378,976 yen
2014 2015 2016 year
9,469
9,277
9,5540(persons)500010000
15000AQ
PICK UP!
Improvement of Basic Civil Laws
The world is changing rapidly in terms of living
environment and more. Will laws be reviewed?
There are various fundamental laws
on civil affairs, such the Civil Code,
the Commercial Code, the Compa‐
nies Act, and the Code of Civil Procedure,
which stipulate the basic rules for citizenʼ s
daily lives and economic transactions, the
family system, and judicial proceedings.
Recently in Japan, socioeconomic circum‐
stances have changed significantly, with
great diversification in the public, which is
why the Ministry of Justice is conducting
necessary examinations and reviews to
make the fundamental civil laws that can
handle these changes and are well‐suited
to the current era. The Ministry also deliv‐
ers its views on bills governed by other
ministries and agencies regarding consist‐
ency with fundamental law from a position
of jurisdiction over basic civil law.
●くろまるCivil Code
In 2016, a partial amendment was made
to the Civil Code to shorten the six‐month
remarriage waiting period to 100 days
following a decision of unconstitutionality in
a case judged by the Supreme Court on
December 16th, 2015.
In 2017, the Civil Code was revised,
reviewing the overall regulations related to
credit.
Furthermore, we are currently examining
possibilities for a review of codes related to
lowering the age of majority, raising the
age at which women can marry, and inher‐
itance.
●くろまるCommercial Code
In 2014, amendments were made to the
Company Act with the aim of strengthen‐
ing corporate governance, and we are cur‐
rently examining possibilities for a further
review of rules concerning corporate gov‐
ernance.
Regarding the commercial code, the Min‐
istry is currently preparing for a review of
regulations governing transport and mari‐
time commerce (corporate activities involv‐
ing the use of seafaring ships, such as sea
transport).
●くろまるCivil Procedural Laws
In 2013, in accordance with Japanʼ s
adoption of statutes concerning civil
aspects of international child abduction
(Hague Convention), we have passed laws
necessary for enacting the Convention (Act
for Implementation of the Convention on
the Civil Aspects of International Child
Abduction).
Also, regarding civil procedural laws, we
are currently discussing the development
of provisions on international jurisdiction
concerning human resource
lawsuits and domestic incidents,
as well as a review of the Civil
Execution Act.3RealizationofBasic
RightsforPeople
29 30
3 Realization of Basic Rights for People3Promotion and Protection of Human Rights
(Human Rights Counseling, Investigation and Remedy Measures Human Rights Awareness Raising, and More)
Associations of human rights volunteers
(Report, adjustment, research, and opinion
exchange, etc. between human rights volunteers)
About 14,000 Human Rights Volunteers in cities,
towns and villages all over Japan
(Apr. 1, 2018)
Ministry of Justice (Human Rights Bureau)
Human Rights Division of
District Legal Affairs Bureau
Human Rights Department of
Legal Affairs Bureau
Branch Bureau (261)
Human Rights Volunteers Councils (314)
Regional Association of Human Rights Volunteers (8)
National Federation of Associations
of Human Rights Volunteers
Prefectural Association of Human Rights Volunteers (50)
42 District Legal Affairs Bureaus
located at the seats of prefectural
governments excluding those where
Legal Affairs Bureaus are situated (In
addition, located in Hakodate,
Asahikawa, and Kushiro in Hokkaido)
8 Legal Affairs Bureaus in Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya,
Hiroshima, Fukuoka, Sendai, Sapporo and Takamatsu
Chinese
Korean
English
Filipino
Portuguese
Vietnamese
0570−003−110
0120−007−110
0570−070−810
0570−090−911 http://www.jinken.go.jp/
(nationwide)
(nationwide toll‐free number)
(nationwide)
(nationwide)
Human Rights
Hotline
Children's Rights
Hotline
Women's Rights
Hotline
Foreign-language
Human Rights
HotlinePCSmartphone
Mobile
Human Rights Counseling Services on the Internet Search
Click
Chart of Human Rights Bodies of the Ministry of Justice
Counseling Services
There are various human rights violation cases (cases where
human rights violations are suspected), including assault and
abuse of women, children, and the elderly; bullying at schools;
compulsion and coercion in the forms of sexual harassment,
power harassment, and stalking; and online defamation and
invasion of privacy. The Human Rights Bodies have taken
measures to seek a remedy and prevent damages in human
rights violation cases, such as providing assistance to victims
(introducing relevant authorities or organizations, giving legal
advice, etc.), conciliating the parties involved, as well as providing
"instruction" and "recommendations" to the other party when
violation of human rights is recognized.
Raising awareness for human rights involves making citizens
understand the necessity and importance of respecting human
rights and disseminating these ideas, and is one of the most
important duties of the Human Rights Bodies.
●くろまるAwareness-Raising Activities
A variety of methods are used to raise wider awareness
among citizens, but in general, priority targets on which to focus
these activities are set, using various events including symposi-
ums, lectures, and movie viewings, as well as mass media such
as TV, radio and the internet to raise awareness.
Human rights counseling is available for all kinds of human
rights problems, with counselors providing advice depending on
the content. When human rights violations are suspected, the
human rights bodies initiate an investigation in accordance with
the consulter’s consent. The counseling services are free of
charge, require no difficult procedures, and strictly confidential.
●くろまるHuman Rights Counseling Centers
Human rights counseling centers are permanently installed at
Legal Affairs Bureaus, District Legal Affairs Bureaus and their
branches across the nation, with interview-style counseling,
phone counseling, and online counseling available, as well as
Human Rights Counseling Center for Foreigners, which provides
counseling through interpreters for foreigners unable to speak
Japanese fluently.
●くろまるChildren’s Rights SOS Mini-Letters
Legal Affairs Bureaus and District Legal Affairs Bureaus
nationwide have actively responded to consultations from
children through "Children’s Rights SOS Mini-Letters" (letter
paper with a pre-stamped envelope), which are distributed to
elementary and junior high school students nationwide as part
of an effort to solve human rights problems involving children,
such as bullying and corporal punishment at school and
domestic child abuse.
Human Rights Volunteers are "Counseling Partners in Your Town"
recommended by the mayor and appointed by the Minister of
Justice. The system of Human Rights Volunteers was introduced in
1948 based on the concept that the government and citizens should
work together to protect human rights of local residents, and there
are currently about 14,000 Human Rights Volunteers (about 6,000
of whom are women) placed in municipalities across the nation
working to solve human rights problems through raising awareness
and providing counseling on human rights in cooperation with Legal
Affairs Bureau and District Legal Affairs Bureau officials.
■しかく 
Investigation and Remedy Measures
for Human Rights Violation Cases
■しかく Awareness-Raising for Human Rights
■しかく Human Rights Counseling
■しかく Human Rights Volunteers
Number of Human Rights Violation Cases (from Jan. 1 to Dec.31, 2016)
bullying in
schools
3,371
assault,
abuse
3,616
privacy violation
2,472
compulsion, coercion
2,002
violation of
the security of
residence and living
2,446
workerʼs rights
violation
2,119
violation of
rights by
school teachers
1,356
discriminatory
treatment683violation of rights
by other public officials296violation of rights
by special
public officials 187
violation of rights
by prison officials 169
violation of rights
in welfare facilities 158
others 568
Newly
received cases
19,443
poster "STOP!
HATE SPEECH"
Human rights lectures
Human Rights Flower Campaign
Children’s Rights SOS Mini-Letters
(for elementary school students)
人Kenまもる君・
人Kenあゆみちゃん
人Kenまもる君・
人Kenあゆみちゃん
Human Rights Campaign Characters
Jin-Ken-Mamoru Kun & Jin-Ken-Ayumi Chan
Jin-Ken-Mamoru Kun & Jin-Ken-Ayumi Chan
With the aim of bringing citizens closer to human rights
protection activities and of increasing the effectiveness of
promotion and publicity activities, the human rights organs
created campaign characters for human rights (designed by
Takashi Yanase, a renowned cartoonist), and started using
them for wide-ranging promotion and publicity activities.
人権イメージキャラクター
RealizationofBasic
RightsforPeople
●くろまるAwareness-Raising Activities Aimed at Children
"National Essay Contest on Human Rights for Junior High School
Students"
The National Essay Contest on Human Rights for Junior High
School Students is an awareness-raising activity designed to en-
able junior high school students to deepen their understanding
of the importance and necessity of respect for human rights
and to foster awareness of human rights through writing essays
on human rights issues.
"Human Rights Lectures"
The human rights lectures is an awareness-raising activity for
children aimed at nurturing compassion and understanding the
preciousness of life by creating opportunities to think about
such topics as bullying. The lecture targets mainly elementary
and junior high school students, and is held with human rights
volunteers across the country playing a central role.
"The Human Rights Flower Campaign"
The Human Rights Flower Campaign is an awareness-raising
activity carried out mainly for elementary school children in
which children grow flower seeds or bulbs through cooperation,
helping them realize the preciousness of life and gain kindness
and compassion.
(Human Rights Campaign Character)
31 3233 Realization of Basic Rights for People
Legal Services Implementation of Comprehensive Legal Support by the Japan Legal Support Center
In order to obtain the attorney qualifications, a person is gen-
erally required to complete a legal apprentice training course
after passing the national bar examination, but an exception to
this are the attorney qualifications through the Attorney Certifi-
cation System with the approval of the Minister of Justice given
to those who have passed the national bar examination and have
acquired a certain level of actual legal practice experience in a
corporation.
The Ministry of Justice is responsible for work concerning the
certification of attorney qualifications.
The Gaikokuho-Jimu-Bengoshi system is designed to permit
persons qualified as lawyers in foreign states to handle specific
legal business in Japan as a registered foreign lawyer, without
having to retake qualification examinations.
To become a registered foreign lawyer, the qualified foreign
lawyers must be approved by the Minister of Justice in accord-
ance with the Act on Special Measures Concerning the Handling
of Legal Services by Foreign Lawyers, and must also register on
the Roll of Registered Foreign Lawyers kept by the Japan Feder-
ation of Bar Association.
The Ministry of Justice is responsible for work concerning the
approval of qualifications for registered foreign lawyers.
In order to promote the disposal of non-performing loans and
thereby contribute to the sound development of the national
economy, the Act on Special Measures Concerning the Claims
Servicing Business (Servicer Act; Act No. 126 of 1998) was en-
acted on February 1, 1999 as an exception to the Attorney Act.
Servicers licensed by the Minister of Justice are allowed to
manage and collect specified monetary claims provided in the
Servicer Act.
The Ministry of Justice is responsible for reviewing approvals
of claim management and collection, as well as for supervising
servicers to ensure appropriate practices through on-site in-
spections.
The Act on Promotion of Use of Alternative Dispute Resolu-
tion, enacted on April 1, 2007 as part of the reform of the judi-
cial system, has introduced a system in which the Minister of
Justice certifies private dispute resolution services (conciliation
and intercession services performed by private businesses on a
civil dispute), when legal criteria and requirements are met and
the service is deemed appropriate, to promote the use of alter-
native dispute resolution processes (procedures for the resolu-
tion of a civil dispute between parties who seek, with the involve-
ment of a fair third party, a resolution without using legal
procedures).
Certified dispute resolution business operators (private busi-
■しかく Gaikokuho-Jimu-Bengoshi
(Registered Foreign Lawyers)
■しかく Claim Management and Collection
Companies (Servicers)
■しかく Certified Dispute Resolution Business Operators
The Comprehensive Legal Support Act was approved at the
2004 ordinary Diet session. The Act is based on the Compre-
hensive Legal Support Plan designed to provide all citizens in
Japan with necessary information and services for legal solu-
tions to both civil and criminal disputes so that the justice sys-
tem may be more accessible to citizens.
●くろまるJapan Legal Support Center (Houterasu)
The Japan Legal Support Center (Houterasu) is a corporation
established within the framework of an independent administra-
tive agency and forms the core of the Comprehensive Legal
Support Plan, with the Ministry of Justice as its competent min-
istry.
Houterasu was established in April 2006 with the purpose of
promptly and properly implementing operations related to com-
prehensive legal support, and commenced its operations in Oc-
tober of the same year. The popular name Houterasu, a play on
words meaning either "shining a light on law" or "law terrace",
reflects the desire to "shed light on the path to solving legal
troubles for the confused" and "to be a kind of sunny terrace
where people can relax."
The principal work of Japan Legal Support Center (Houterasu)
consists of the following five services as prescribed in Article
30, Paragraph 1 of the Comprehensive Legal Support Act:
❶ Information Services
❷ Civil Legal Aid
❸ Legal Aid for Criminal Defense
❹ Measures for Areas with Limited Legal Services
❺ Support for Victims of Crime
Building cooperating with relevant organizations required for
these five core services is also part of the work at Houterasu.
Moreover, Houterasu may also provide services entrusted by
national and local governments or non-profit organizations, pro-
vided this does not hinder these core servicese (Article 30, Par-
agraph 2).
nesses certified by the Minister of Justice) resolve disputes, uti-
lizing professional knowledge and experience to accurately meet
the diverse needs of citizens.
The number of certified dispute resolution business operators
increased from 10 in FY 2007 when the system was launched to
about 150 in FY 2017, with the area of disputes handled grow-
ing more diversified and accessibility to the system further im-
proved.
The Ministry of Justice is responsible for work concerning the
certification of private dispute resolution services and undertak-
ing various efforts to ensure that procedures for conciliation
taken by certified dispute resolution operators are used exten-
sively as an accessible means of resolving disputes.
認証紛争解決サービス
http://www.moj‐go.jp/KANBOU/ADR/index.html
Judicial scriveners are legal experts whose purpose is to help
protect the rights and interests of citizens, and who register real
estate and commercial registration on behalf of the client, as
well as prepare documents for the court. Since 2003, judicial
scriveners, certified by the Minister of Justice after completing
the designated training, may engage in civil procedures on be-
half of clients at summary courts. Furthermore,
since 2006, they may undertake proceedings as representatives
in identifying registered land parcel boundary demarcations
within a certain range.
The Civil Affairs Bureau of the Ministry of Justice is responsi-
ble for the judicial scriveners system.
Land and house investigators contribute to the clarification of
rights of the people related to real estate, and take charge of
necessary investigations, surveys, and application procedures of
lands and buildings for registering real estate on behalf of a cli-
ent. Since 2006, land and house investigators approved by the
Minister of Justice after completing a certain training to act as
agents in proceedings to identify registered land parcel sections
may undertake proceedings for solving civil disputes originating
from unclear registration of land parcel sections, and dispute
resolution business operators engaged in proceedings must be
designated by the Minister of Justice, with operations carried
out jointly with attorneys-at-law.
The Civil Affairs Bureau of the Ministry of Justice is responsi-
ble for the land and house investigators system.
■しかく Judicial Scriveners
■しかく Land and House Investigators
■しかく Attorney Certification System ■しかく What is the Comprehensive
Legal Support Plan?
●くろまる
●くろまる
●くろまる
●くろまる
●くろまる Ensuring Appointment of Court-Appointed Defense Counsels
Crime Victims Support
Measures for Areas with Limited Judicial Services
Civil Legal Aid
Provision of free information for the settlement of legal problems.
Information Services
http://www.houterasu.or.jp
THE JAPAN LEGAL SUPPORT CENTER
(Call Center)
(Telephone number for the assistance of crime victims)
Organizations and
other persons that
cooperate with the
Japan Legal Support
Center for settlement
of legal problems
-Local
governments
-Legal experts such
as attorneys-at-law
and judicial scriveners,etc.-Organizations and
o t h e r p e r s o n s
providing assistance
for the victims, etc.
Users
(General
Public)
Social
Activities
Provision of
information/
services
for settlement of
legal problems
Consultation
Coordinationandcooperation
0570−078374
0570−079714☎☎
Free consultation for persons of limited means for legal problems,
or granting of loans for them to cover the expenses of trials, etc.
Provision of legal services at a reasonable cost in areas where it
is difficult to receive legal services because of the lack of legal
experts such as attorneys-at-law or judicial scriveners, etc.
P rov i s i o n of f r e e info rma t i o n co nc e r ning attorneys-at-law
who are well versed in assistance to victims or organizations
providing assistance for victims.
Ensuring the system for the prompt and proper appointment of
court-appointed defense counsels, etc. and court-appointed
attorneys-at-law for the victims.
RealizationofBasic
RightsforPeople
■しかく 
Outline of the Operations of the Japan
Legal Support Center (Houterasu)
33 34
Prosecution
Admission
Summary proceedings
Identification
Court
Fine, minor fine
Suspension of execution of sentence
Not guilty, etc.
Protective measures
Suspension of execution of sentence
with probationary supervision
Women’s
Guidance Home
Release on parole
Detention in a work house
Fine, minor fine
Revocation, etc.
Release on parole
Public
Prosecutors Office
Police, etc.
Offense
Referral to
a public prosecutor
Prison
Probation Office
Non-prosecution
Investigation initiated by a public prosecutor, etc.
Disposition of trivial cases
Pecuniary penalty against traffic violations
Acceptance
Release on expiry of term
of probation and parole, etc.
Release on expiry of term
of protective measures
Admission
Release on expiry of full
prison sentence
Acceptance
Imprisonment with or
without work, Penal detention
Acceptance
Enforcement of Proper Criminal Policy44
Process of Criminal Cases Committed by Adults
Total
1,296,541
Total
persons persons
1,296,541
Theft8.7%Road Traffic
Law violations
31.7%
Causing death or
injury through
negligence in
vehicle driving
39.7%
Other offenses8.8%Special law
offenses
40.5%
Penal Code
offenses
59.5%
Other offenses7.5%Suspension of
institution of
prosecution
49.0%
Injury 3.7%Insufficient
evidence
for prosecution3.5%Prosecutions
instituted
27.2%
Other decisions
18.7%
Other decisions
13.3%
Other
dispositions1.6%Referrals to
the family court5.4%Nonprosecution
54.0%
●くろまるThe proportion is rounded off to the first decimal places. Therefore,the sum of the composition rates do not add up to 100.0.
By type and name of offense
■しかく By dispositions rendered
■しかく
Total
13,260
Total
3,034
Breaking into
a Residence103■しかくProbationers under Suspended Sentence163Stimulant drugs437181
Injury231Fraud
Forcible indecency・Forcible indecency
causing death of injury
Road traffic
violations146■しかくParolees
Theft
1,038
Other735Acts of negligence
causing death or injury306Robbery・causing death
or injury through
robbery526Stimulant drugs
3,893
Road traffic
violations398Fraud
1,189
Injury423Theft
4,427
Other
2,098
●くろまるParolees : Persons who are allowed to be released on parole from a penal institution
●くろまるProbationers under Suspended Sentence : Persons who have been placed under probationary supervision with suspended sentence by a court decision
Cases Handled at Public Prosecutors Offices Nationwide (2016) Number of Persons Newly Commencing Their Probation/Parole According to Offense Types (2016)
■しかく Process of Criminal Cases Committed by Adults〈Figure 1〉
●くろまるFigure 1 shows the process of criminal offenses committed by
adults.
❶ Police
All cases in which the police arrest suspects and conduct nec-
essary investigations are, in principle, transferred to public pros-
ecutors.
❷ Public Prosecutors Office
Public prosecutors conduct necessary investigations on cases
transferred from the police and determine whether or not to
indict the accused based on the law and evidence.
At times, they themselves may detect criminal cases or con-
duct investigations on cases that have been charged or ac-
cused.
❸ Court
The courts hold hearings at public trials, and when they recog-
nize the accused as guilty, the courts hand down a sentence,
such as the death penalty, penal servitude, imprisonment, or a
fine. In the case of penal servitude or imprisonment for three
years or less, prison terms may be suspended due to extenuat-
ing circumstances, and probation may be given during the peri-
od of suspended sentence.
In the case of a relatively minor offense, the court may decide
to examine the case through summary proceedings as long as
the accused has no objection.
❹ Prison
After the accused is convicted, the punishment will be admin-
istered under the direction of public prosecutors. As a general
rule, punishment, including imprisonment, with or without prison
work, or detention is enforced at penal institutions such as pris-
ons. Penal institutions help inmates to reform and re-integrate
into the community through correctional treatment.
Those who are incapable of paying the full amount of a penal-
ty or fine will be detained in a workhouse attached to a penal
institution.
❺ Probation Office
Inmates may be released on parole in accordance with a deci-
sion by the regional parole board even before their sentence
ends, and such parolees are placed under probationary super-
vision while on parole. Those given a suspended sentence on the
condition of probation will be placed under probationary super-
vision during the suspension period as well.
These parolees receive guidance and assistance from proba-
tion officers and volunteers probation officers at probation offic-
es for rehabilitation and a smooth return to society.
❻ Women’s Guidance Home
Adult females taken into custody for violating the Anti-Prosti-
tution Act are detained in women’s guidance homes and are
placed on probation when they are granted parole release.
Number of Newly Committed Inmates, by Offense (2016)01,000
2,000
3,000
4,000
5,000
6,000
7,000
8,000
Penal Code offenses 12,978 Special law offenses 7,489
(persons)
Total 20,467 218414
1,58287595084259
6,837988152
1,980
5,580548Homicide
Robbery
Theft
Bodily injury
Extortion
Fraud
Rape, indecent assault
Professional negligence and
negligence in vehicle driving
Others
Others
Stimulant
drugs
Road traffic violations
Firearms and swords
EnforcementofProper
Criminal
Policy
35 36
4 Enforcement of Proper Criminal Policy4Total
10,323
Total
2,743
Forcible indecency・Forcible indecency
causing death of injury100■しかくJuvenile Training School Parolees
Fraud226Injury449Robbery・causing death
or injury through
robbery
157 Road traffic
violations187■しかくJuvenile Probationers
Theft923Others589Breaking into
a residence235Acts of negligence
causing death or injury
736 Road traffic
violations
1,874210Injury
1,250
Assault314Theft
3,588
Others
2,116
Extortion112Extortion
●くろまるJuvenile Probationers : Juveniles who have been placed under probationary supervision by a family court decision (excluding those under short‐term probation for traffic offenses)
●くろまるJuvenile Training School Parolees : Persons who are released on parole from a juvenile training school
Number of Persons Newly Commencing Probation/Parole According to Types of Delinquency (2016)
●くろまるFigure 2 is a flowchart of proceedings for juvenile delinquents.
❶ Police
When juvenile suspects are arrested by the police, the cases are
in principle transferred to public prosecutors after investigations
are complete.
❷ Public Prosecutors Office
When public prosecutors suspect juveniles of committing
crimes, or have good reason to refer them to family court for
pre-delinquency (juvenile delinquents with behavioral problems
that stop short of crime yet may lead to crime and need to be
taken into custody), the relevant cases will be transferred to the
family court after investigations are complete.
❸ Family Court
A family court orders investigators to conduct investigations on
relevant juveniles, including their dispositions and family back-
grounds, and sends them to a juvenile classification home for as-
sessment.
❹ Juvenile Classification Home
A Juvenile classification home conducts assessments of juve-
niles based on expertise in medicine and pedagogy, and submits
the results to a family court.
❺ Family Court
When a family court decides that a juvenile has no reason to un-
dergo adjudication procedures, or that adjudication procedures are
not appropriate based on the result of the investigation of the dos-
sier, the court elects dismissal without hearing, and when the court
finds it reasonable to take adjudication procedures, it employs the
closed-door process
When recognizing delinquency for certain serious incidents be-
comes necessary, the prosecutor will take part in judgement by
family court decision.
If placing the juvenile in protective custody is deemed unneces-
sary as a result of the adjudication process based on the above-men-
tioned investigations and assessment of ❸ and ❹, the court de-
clares the juvenile not to be charged. However, if placing the juvenile
in protective custody is deemed, the court decides whether to place
them on probation or in a juvenile training school.
❻❼ Sending Juveniles to Public Prosecutors and Indictment
When a family court finds it reasonable to impose criminal punish-
ment on those who have committed a crime that deserves the death
penalty, penal servitude, or imprisonment, the court sends the case
to public prosecutors.
When juveniles aged sixteen or older are accused of killing victims
intentionally, the cases are, in principle, sent to public prosecutors
who must indict them once they have accepted the case.
❽Juvenile Training School
Juveniles given a family court judgment to be sent to a juvenile
training school are admitted to any of Type-I, Type-II or Type-III juve-
nile training schools, where receive correctional education and reha-
bilitation support as they work toward reform.
❾Probation Office
Juvenile delinquents who have been placed on probation by a
family court, or those who are provisionally permitted to be released
from a juvenile training school, receive guidance and assistance
from probation officers and volunteer probation officers for rehabil-
itation and a smooth return to society.
Number of Juveniles Newly Committed to Juvenile Training
Schools According to Delinquency (2016)02004006008001,00013281846711315756371209
72 98 70
Penal Code offenses 2,114 Special law offenses 379 Pre‐delinquency 70
Total 2,563
(persons)
Robbery
Theft
Bodily injury
Extortion
Rape, indecent assault
Negligence in vehicle driving
Others
Others
Stimulant drugs, poisonous agents
Road traffic violations
Pre‐delinquency
Imprisonment with or
without work, Penal detentionrt
Probationary
supervision
Suspension of execution
of sentence
Citizens, police, etc.
Institution of prosecution
after being referred from a family court
Child Guidance Center Public Prosecutors Office
Case referred to
a public prosecutor
for the institution
of prosecution
Acceptance Acceptance
Referral to
a family court Acceptance
Referral to
a family court
Discovery
Notification
Investigation
Police, etc.
Referral to a
public prosecutor
Juvenile
Offenders
Pre-delinquents
JuvenileChildren
Offenders
Discharge
Dismissal without hearing
Referral to a public prosecutor
for the institution of prosecution
Referral to
a child guidance center
and others Family Court
Not guilty, etc.
Suspension of execution
of sentence with
probationary supervision
Fine, minor fine
District Court,etc.Juvenile Prison,etc.Juvenile
Training School
Release on parole
Release on parole
Juvenile
Classification Home
Probation Office
Early discharge Expiration
of sentence
Acceptance
Notification
Referral
Commitment to
facility for development
of self-sustaining capacity
Commitment to a
juvenile training school
Release on expiry
of full prison sentence
Release on expiry
of sentence
Admission Admission
Revocation
Handling Juvenile Crimes and Delinquencies
■しかく Process for Juvenile Delinquents〈Figure 2〉
Correctional facilities nationwide are supported by communi-
ty volunteers, such as volunteer visitors and chaplains.
Volunteer visitors are those who help reformation and reha-
bilitation as well as smooth re-entry into society of inmates
through of counseling, guidance sessions, music instruction,
and more.
Chaplains provide religious guidance upon request from in-
mates according to their religious beliefs in order to ensure
freedom of religion.
Community volunteers supporting correctional facilities
Volunteer visitors
EnforcementofProper
Criminal
Policy
37 38
4 Enforcement of Proper Criminal Policy4What is Offender Rehabilitation?
This is a system carried out in cooperation with the nation and
volunteers designed to give guidance and assistance to those
who have committed crimes or those who have turned to juve-
nile delinquency so that they can become sound members of
the society.
Regional parole boards are located in the eight regions across
the country that correspond to the jurisdictional areas of the
high courts. The major functions of the boards are to make de-
cisions on parole of inmates of prisons or juvenile training
schools, and revoking parole when parolees fail to observe the
parole conditions.
There are 50 probation offices throughout the country located
in each of the district court jurisdiction. Their major function is
conducting probationary supervision over juveniles placed on
probation by family court decision, those released on parole
from prisons or juvenile training schools, and those on probation
with suspension of sentence. The probation offices also engage
in activities that promote community-based campaigns to pre-
vent crime and delinquency.
Probation officers are full-time government officials of the
Ministry of Justice who are assigned to either the Secretariat of
the Regional Parole Board or to the Probation Office. With ex-
pert knowledge on psychology, pedagogy, welfare and sociolo-
gy, they work to rehabilitate those who have committed crimes
or have turned to juvenile delinquency, giving them guidance
and assistance in everyday life in collaboration with volunteer
probation officers. They also perform crime and delinquency
prevention and provide support for crime victims.
Volunteer probation officers are private citizens commissioned
by the Minister of Justice, and there are 48,000 of these officers
across the country. As they are familiar with the circumstances
and customs of their community, they are able to give effective
guidance and assistance to those who have committed crimes
or have turned to juvenile delinquency in the community in col-
laboration with probation officers. In addition, they engage in
crime prevention in their community to promote prevention of
crime and delinquency, and provide support for crime victims.
Volunteer probation officers have the status of part-time gov-
ernment officers, but do not receive compensation except for
the expenses involved in their activities.
Regional Parole Boards
Probation Offices
Probation Officers
Volunteer Probation Officers
Of all the persons who have been placed on parole/probation-
ary supervision or released from prison, offender rehabilitation
facilities accommodate those who have no proper place to live
and give them living guidance and vocational trainings so that
they will be able to live independently at the earliest possible
date. There are 103 such facilities in the country, mainly operat-
ed by juridical persons for the offender rehabilitation services,
which are private foundations approved by the Minister of Jus-
tice to run the services in order to facilitate the rehabilitation of
offenders.
The Women’s Association for Rehabilitation Aid is an organiza-
tion composed of women volunteers working toward crime pre-
vention as well as rehabilitation for those who have committed
crimes or juvenile delinquents from a female perspective in or-
der to build a brighter society, free from crime and delinquency.
There are about163,000 volunteer members across the country
engaged not only in crime and delinquency prevention educa-
tional activities, but also in a wide range of activities rooted in
the community, such as sound upbringing of youth, child-sup-
port, rehabilitation support in offender rehabilitation facilities,
cooperation in volunteer work with offenders on probation, and
visits to prisons and juvenile training schools to encourage in-
mates.
The Big Brothers and Sisters Association is a youth volunteer
organization that aims to support the healthy growth of juveniles
with various difficulties by interacting with them like a friendly
older brother or sister. There are about, 4,500 BBS members
who conduct activities such as "Friendship Activities", which
supports the growth and independence of the juveniles by be-
friending them, and carry out crime prevention to create a
crime-free society.
Offenders Rehabilitation Facilities
Women's Association for Rehabilitation Aid
BBS Association
Cooperative Employers are business owners who employ
ex-offenders and juvenile delinquents to help them become in-
dependent and rehabilitated. These employers understand the
feelings of offenders and provide them with stable jobs, which
serves as a tremendous contribution to offenders rehabilitation
in society.
There are about 19,000 such cooperating business owners
across the country.
Cooperative Employers
The National Center for Offenders Rehabilitation is established
and operated to provide parolees from penal institutions or ju-
venile training schools who cannot secure the necessary social
surroundings for smooth reintegration into society from rela-
tives or private-sector offender rehabilitation facilities with lodg-
ing at state-established facilities, where probation officers di-
rectly provide them with intensive supervision and generous
employment assistance, thereby encouraging their rehabilitation
and preventing them from committing further offenses.
Among these facilities, organizations that perform selective,
specialized treatment in society in accord with the relevant spe-
cific problem are called the National Center for Offenders Reha-
bilitation, while other organizations that provide vocational train-
ing, primarily in agriculture, are called the National Center for
Offenders Job Training and Employment Support.
The National Centers for Offenders Rehabilitation is estab-
lished and operated in Kitakyushu and Fukushima City, while the
National Centers for Offenders Job Training is established and
operated in Hokkaido (Numata-cho) and Ibaraki (Hitachinaka
City).
National Centers for Offenders Rehabilitation
Ensuring that those who have committed a crime can get
rehabilitation and become law-abiding members of society
is a task that cannot be achieved by government alone. The
efforts of offender rehabilitation volunteers, including Vol-
unteer Probation Officers, the Women’s Association for Re-
habilitation Aid, BBS, and Cooperative Employers have been
of great help.
If you are interested in participating in such activities,
please contact your nearest Parole Office.
Designed by the late Sagenji Yoshida, Profes-
sor Emeritus at the Tokyo University of the Arts,
this badge consists of 18 chrysanthemum petals
with a sunflower and the rising sun, with the cir-
cle of its contour representing harmony among
people and the red cloth representing human
heart and passion.
Become an Offender Rehabilitation Volunteer
Badge of Volunteer Probation Officers
Exterior of an Offenders Rehabilitation Facility
The National Center for Offender Rehabilitation in Fukuoka (Kitakyushu City)
The National Center for Offender Job Training and Employment
Support in Hokkaido (Numata-cho, Uryu-gun)
In June 2016 the Act for Partial Revision of the Penal Code and the Act for Partial Suspension of Sentence for Criminals Con-
victed of Drug Use and Others were enforced to provide suspension of part of a criminal’s sentence, and the Partial of Sentence
System these laws introduced enable judges to partially suspend sentences for 1-5 years in rendering a sentence of imprison-
ment with or without labor for terms less than 3 years, with the aim of preventing re-offending and helping offenders to rehabil-
itate by securing a period of treatment in prison, followed by a longer period of treatment in society.
Under this system, those who have no previous record of sentences heavier than imprisonment without work are put on dis-
cretional probation during the period of the suspended sentence, while those who have been imprisoned with work because of
drug use and other substance issues are put on mandatory probation.
System for Partial Suspension of Sentence
EnforcementofProper
Criminal
Policy
39 40
4 Enforcement of Proper Criminal Policy4Securing Volunteer Probation Officers Improvement and Enhancement of Treatment in Correctional Facilities
Medical Treatment and Supervision Measures for Persons Who Have
Caused Serious Crimes While Insane.
Volunteer probation officers play an extremely important role
in the Japanese offenders rehabilitation system by supporting
rehabilitation of offenders in the community and by engaging in
publicity campaigns and enlightenment activities to build a
brighter community without crime and delinquency. "The Third
World Congress on Probation" held in Japan in 2017 also recog-
nized again that the roles of the volunteer probation officers in
the community is significant in the field of offenders rehabilita-
tion.
Furthermore, in recent years, public awareness among "the
safety and security of the community" and "the prevention of
recidivism" is increasing, and therefore it is expected that public
interest in and expectations for volunteer probation officers will
become higher and higher.
Meanwhile, due to the changes in social circumstances,such
as the weakening of interpersonal relationships in the communi-
ty, it is becoming more difficult to secure suitable persons as
volunteer probation officers. Recently there was adownward
trend in the number of the volunteer probation officers (quota is
52,500). Due to the trend, securing volunteer probation officers
constantly for the future is the most serious issue for the of-
fenders rehabilitation in Japan.
■しかく Current Volunteer Probation Officer System
The Ministry of Justice conducts appropriate treatment of in-
mates that respects their human rights based on the Act on Penal
Detention Facilities and Treatment of Inmates and Detainees en-
acted under a total revision of the Prison Law, and to achieve this,
the Ministry has striven to improve facilities and human resourc-
es, as well as to rationalize and mechanize clerical work.
In addition, considering cases in foreign countries, the Ministry
of Justice manages some penal institutions through joint opera-
tion between the public and private sectors using the PFI (Private
Finance Initiative), which utilizes private capital, ingenuity, and ex-
pertise, and in doing so plans to enrich and develop correctional
treatment by incorporating programs never seen in conventional
prisons, such as the Training Program for Guide Dog Puppies for
the Blind in cooperation with the Japan Guide Dog Association
Foundation.
The Ministry of Justice is working to implement the Act on Pe-
nal Detention Facilities and Treatment of Inmates and Detainees
smoothly to prevent recidivism and will contribute to the creation
of a safe society where the people can live with peace of mind.
The Medical Treatment and Supervision for Persons Who
Have Caused Serious Cases While Insane is a system which
gives persons who have committed murder, arson, or other
crimes proper medical care, required surveillance, and instruc-
tion to prevent them from committing such acts again, and
helps them return to society.
Under these circumstances, the Ministry of Justice is working
on various strategies for constantly recruiting the volunteer pro-
bation officers and reinforcing the volunteer probation officer
system, based on the suggestions written in the report submit-
ted to the Rehabilitation Bureau of the Ministry of Justice by the
"Study Group on Improving the Volunteer Probation Officer Sys-
tem" launched in 2011.
For example, the Ministry of Justice supports the local volun-
teer probation officers associations across the country to hold
"Volunteer Probation Officer Candidate Information Meetings"
so as to secure appropriate candidates for volunteer probation
officers from local residents with various points of view such as
a wide range of age groups, including youth, and occupations,
and to conduct the "Internship for Volunteer Probation Officer"
for local residents to experience the activities of volunteer pro-
bation officers.
There are in total 501 "Offenders Rehabilitation Support
Centers" nationwide in 2017, which serve as hubs for offenders
rehabilitation by the volunteer probation officers, which are plan-
ning further enhancement and improvement in the future.
The volunteer probation officer organizations and the national
government are working together to secure volunteer probation
officers and support for the volunteer probation officers’ activi-
ties so that Japan can develop a sustainable world-class volun-
teer probation system.
■しかく Efforts of the Ministry of Justice
To prevent recidivism, juvenile classification homes are work-
ing to enhance their ability to assess juveniles by developing and
introducing a new assessment method, "Ministry of Justice Case
Assessment Tool (MJCA)" in order to grasp the risk of recidivism
and educational needs of each juvenile.
The homes are also working to enhance treatment for recidi-
vism by conducting assessment of juveniles under protective
measures in response to requests from juvenile training schools
and probation offices.
Furthermore, the home provides counseling and consultation
services to juveniles and their families on problems related to
crime and delinquency (crime, delinquency, misbehavior, family
upbringing problems, troubles at work or school, interpersonal
problems, etc.). Moreover, staff at the home provide explana-
tions on various topics such as delinquency, crime, child-rearing,
or educational and instructional methods for youth at work-
shops or lectures held at schools or related organizations.
Those interested are welcome to contact a nearby juvenile
classification home.
The Probation Offices have psychiatric social workers known
as Rehabilitation Coordinators who work in collaboration with
medical institutions designated by the Minister of Health, Labor
and Welfare and relevant local institutions to promote such indi-
viduals’ return to society.
■しかく 
Smooth Enforcement of Act on Penal Detention
Facilities and Treatment of Inmates and Detainees
■しかく 
Enhancement of Assessments of Juveniles and Community
Support Activities by Juvenile Classification Homes
Changes in the Number of Volunteer Probation Officers (2010-2018)
(persons)201048,851
48,664
48,221
47,990 47,914 47,872
2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017
47,939 47,909201847,641
45,000
46,000
47,000
48,000
49,000AQ
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Further Improvement of Juvenile Correction
Recently, I frequently hear about juvenile crimes
on the news. What measures are being taken?
The Ministry of Justice has been strengthening efforts toward
preventing recidivism offenses by changing laws.
●くろまるStrengthening Correctional Education Based on
New Juvenile Training Schools Act
In June 2015, the New Juvenile Training Schools Act was
enacted. Under this act, the Juvenile Training Schools design
an individual correctional education plan for each juvenile in
accordance with his or her traits and implement programs
addressing individual problems such as drug use, sexual
delinquency, and family issues. The Juvenile Training Schools
also implement vocation guidance for such things as acquiring
qualifications for employment and social skills necessary for
retaining a job, thus conducting appropriate correctional
education aimed at preventing recidivism.
●くろまるLegal Provisions for Reintegration Support by
Juvenile Training Schools
In order to prevent recidivism, it is important not only to
provide diverse correctional education, but also to support the
smooth reintegration of delinquent juveniles. The New Juvenile
Training Schools Act stipulates that Juvenile Training Schools
are responsible for providing support for juvenilesʼ reintegra‐
tion into society. Specifically, they proactively provide academ‐
ic support such as helping re‐entry or transfer to a local high
school, as well as support in finding work and assistance for
obtaining accommodations.
●くろまるPerforming Appropriate Classification under the
Juvenile Classification Act
A new Juvenile Classification Act has also been enacted. This
new law makes it possible for juveniles detained in Juvenile
Training Schools to spend a certain amount of time in Juvenile
Classification Homes specialized in determining the causes
behind the juvenileʼs delinquency and drawing up individual
treatment plans that enable more detailed classification.
●くろまるAssisting Local Communities With Juvenile
Classification Homes
In order to contribute to the prevention
of delinquency and crimes in local commu‐
nities, juvenile classification homes provide
local people and those involved in schools
and education with counseling based on
specialized knowledge and skills.
EnforcementofProper
Criminal
Policy
Offenders Rehabilitation Support Center
41 42
Immigration Control55
Measures for Smooth and Strict Immigration ExaminationsAQ
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In recent years, there has been a signifi‐
cant increase in the number of foreign
tourists visiting Japan, and a further increase is
expected in the future in anticipation of the 2020
Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games to be held
in Japan. Amid such circumstances, the Ministry
of Justice is working to achieve measures includ‐
ed in "The Tourism Nation Promotion Basic Plan"
approved in March 2017. It is important that
Immigration Bureau continues proactively working
so as to quickly achieve various measures
towards creating a tourist‐friendly nation, all while
implementing measures to prevent terrorists and
other persons attempting to stay illegally in Japan
from entering at the borders, so that
the Immigration Bureau may protect
the security of the country and the
safety of its citizens.
I have heard that recently there has been a sudden increase in the
number of foreign tourists coming to Japan. Have you been taking any
measures with regard to the immigration examinations?
While strict immigration examinations have been implemented
for foreign nationals attempting to work illegally in Japan, Immi-
gration has also taken various measures to implement smooth
immigration examinations for trouble-free foreign nationals to
help create a tourist-friendly nation.
Immigration has introduced devices known as Bio Carts in 15
airports across Japan, enabling fingerprinting and facial pho-
tography during the time usually spent waiting during landing
examination to obtain personal identification data quickly in the
landing examination area and to facilitate the immigration proce-
dures, and strives to promote the use of the automated gates by
sending immigration staff to prefectural passport offices in or-
der to implement "automated gate mobile registration".
In addition, a Trusted Traveler Program was launched in No-
vember 2016, enabling foreign nationals who pose little risk in
terms of immigration control and frequently enter Japan, to use
the automated gates as Trusted Travelers, expanding who is eli-
gible to use these automated gates.
Moreover, in an effort to streamline departure and return pro-
cedures for Japanese nationals using facial recognition technol-
ogy, we introduced three initial facial recognition automated
gates for return procedures of Japanese nationals at Haneda
Airport in October 2017.
In addition, the immigration examination procedures for the
increasing number of foreign passengers onboard cruise ships
have been streamlined through the introduction of a Landing
Permission for Cruise Ship Tourists system (entered into effect
on January 1, 2015), which allows foreign cruise ship passen-
gers designated by the Minister of Justice to land through sim-
plified procedures.
Foreign nationals residing in Japan are allowed to engage in
activities based on their status of residence and period of stay
decided when entering the country.
If those foreign nationals intend to change their status of resi-
dence, extend the period of stay, or obtain permission to engage
in activities other than those permitted under the status of resi-
dence previously granted, or obtain re-entry permission, they
need to go through necessary procedures at the Immigration
Bureau. In granting permission for the activities of foreign na-
tionals in Japan, the Immigration Bureau strives to ensure proper
residency management of foreign nationals while paying due
consideration to the interests of the Japanese people and to the
security of Japan.
Starting July 2012, a residency management system for mid-
to long-term residents was introduced, under which foreign na-
tionals residing in Japan mid to long-term are issued a residence
card when receiving permission relating to residence, such as
landing permission, permission to change the status of resi-
dence, or permission for extension of the period of stay. This
residence card gives such details as the name, date of birth, sex,
nationality or region, place of residence, status of residence, and
period of stay of the foreign national.
Moreover, the previous alien registration system was abolished
with the introduction of this residency management system. For
further details, please check the Immigration Bureau website.
■しかく Residency Management of Foreign Nationals
Among foreign nationals residing in Japan, there are those
considered undesirable by Japanese society, such as those who
have entered or disembarked illegally, those who obtained entry
permission but have illegally overstayed their period of stay or
are engaged in activities other than those permitted, or those
who are imposed certain punishments. The Immigration Bureau
handles the prescribed procedures from detection to investiga-
tion, and initiates deportation procedures in cases where a final
decision has been made to deport foreign nationals of the types
mentioned above.
Foreign nationals who are in violation of the Immigration Con-
trol Act but satisfy certain requirements may leave the country
through simple procedures under the "departure order system."
■しかく Deportation
■しかく Principal Measures
Cruise ship examination
Automated gates
Facial recognition automated gates
Immigration Control for Japanese and Foreign Nationals
The Immigration Bureau provides equitable control over entry
into or departure from Japan of all persons based on the Immi-
gration Control and Refugee Recognition Act (hereinafter re-
ferred to as "the Immigration Control Act"), etc.
Foreign nationals who intend to enter Japan are required to
provide personal identification information (fingerprints and fa-
cial photographs), except for those exempt from this require-
ment, and must be interviewed by an immigration inspector. The
immigration inspector checks whether the foreign national
meets the conditions for disembarkation, such as whether the
passport and visa held by the foreign national are valid, whether
■しかく Departure and Disembarkation (Returning) Examinations
activities to be conducted while in Japan are legitimate and
come under a status of residence prescribed in the Appended
Tables of the Immigration Control Act, and for certain statuses
of residence, the inspector checks whether the foreign national
meets the criteria stipulated in the Ministerial Ordinance, and
that the foreign national does not fall under the grounds for
denial of entry. If the immigration inspector deems these condi-
tions have been met, the foreign national will be permitted to
enter Japan. Foreign nationals who intend to depart from Japan
must receive confirmation of departure from an immigration in-
spector.
Immigration inspectors also verify the fact of departure and
return of Japanese nationals.
Those going overseas for business or travel will want to know about the automated gates,
which make the immigration examination procedures speedy. The automated gate system
allows users to go through examination procedures automatically by identifying them by their
passports and fingerprints. Completing the user registration for the automated gates before
departure lets you go through immigration smoothly using the automated gate, even when
immigration is crowded! Japanese nationals, as well as foreign nationals,
who meet certain requirements may register to use the automated gates.
For further details, please check the Ministry of Justice website.
▶http://www.moj.go.jp/nyuukokukanri/kouhou/nyuukokukanri01_00111.html
User registration is available at the above four
airports, as well as at Tokyo Regional Immigra-
tion Bureau, Nagoya Regional Immigration Bu-
reau and Osaka Regional Immigration Bureau.
Narita Airport, Haneda Airport,
Chubu Airport and
Kansai Airport
Making Immigration Examination Speedy! The Automated Gate, Convenient for Overseas Business or Sightseeing Trips
For information about the residency management
system please refer to the Ministry of Justice
Immigration Bureau webpage
http://www.immi‐moj.go.jp/newimmiact̲1/index.html
Airports with automated gates
Bio Carts
Immigration
Control
43 44
5 Immigration Control5Points-Based Preferential Immigration Treatment for Highly-Skilled Foreign Professionals
Recognition of Refugees
In order to promote entry of highly-skilled foreign profession-
als, a points-based system that provides highly-skilled foreign
professionals with preferential immigration treatment was intro-
duced on May 7, 2012.
The activities of highly-skilled foreign professionals are clas-
sified into three categories: advanced academic research activ-
Japan has signed the Convention Relating to the Status of
Refugees and the Protocol Relating to the Status of Refugees,
which went into effect January 1, 1982. Various protection
measures stipulated in the convention and protocol were grant-❶Permission for Multiple Activities During Stay
Usually, a foreign national is only allowed to en-
gage in the activities permitted under a single sta-
tus of residence, but a highly-skilled foreign profes-
sional may engage in activities covered by multiple
statuses of residence such as simultaneously en-
gaging in research activities at a university and in
the management of a business organization related
thereto.
❷Grant of the "five years" period of stay
The legally permitted maximum period of stay (5
years) is granted uniformly to highly-skilled foreign
professionals.❸Relaxation of Requirements for Granting of Permission for
Permanent Residence Status in Japan
In principle, in order to receive permission for permanent residence,
the applicant must reside in Japan for at least 10 years, but foreign
nationals engaged continuously in the activities of a
highly-skilled foreign professional for 3 years, and
foreign nationals who are deemed particularly high-
ly-skilled (80 points or more), who have engaged
continuously in the activities of a highly-skilled for-
eign professional for 1 year will be eligible for per-
manent residence.❹Work Permission for Spouses
Normally, those who intend to engage in activities
that come under a status of residence such as "In-
structor" or "Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/ In-
ternational Services" need to meet certain require-
ments, such as academic background and
employment history and acquire one of these sta-
tuses of residence, but the spouse of a high-
The following preferential immigration treatment is granted to foreign nationals recognized as a Highly-Skilled Professional (i) as a
result of the points evaluation.
The period of stay for those foreign nationals residing in Japan with the status of residence of "Highly-Skilled Professional (i)" for a period
of three years or more who have transferred to the status of residence of Highly-Skilled Professional (ii) is indefinite, and the foreign national
may engage not only in the activities of (i) but in almost any work-related activity permitted to statuses of residence. Moreover, they are
eligible for the preferential treatment listed in the above-mentioned ❸ to ❻.
ities, advanced specialized or technical activities, and advanced
business management activities. Points are set according to
the characteristic features of each category, such as academic
background, professional career, annual salary, research perfor-
mance, and more. If the total points reach 70, the foreign nation-
als will be recognized as a Highly-Skilled Foreign Professional.
ed to refugees.
The Immigration Bureau handles administrative work concern-
ing landing permission for temporary refuge, recognition of ref-
ugee status, and issuance of refugee travel documents.
ly-skilled foreign professional may engage in activities that fall under
these statuses of residence despite not meeting these requirements.❺Permission for Accompanying Parents
Under the current system, parents of foreign nationals staying in
Japan under a status of residence for work are not allowed to enter
Japan with the intention of staying. However, the parents of a high-
ly-skilled foreign professional or his or her spouse are allowed to enter
and stay in Japan under the following conditions: (i)
the parent will take care of a child younger than 7
years of age of the highly-skilled foreign profes-
sional or spouse; or (ii) the parent will take care of
a pregnant highly-skilled foreign professional or a
pregnant spouse of a highly-skilled foreign profes-
sional.❻Permission for Accompanying Domestic Workers
Only those foreign nationals who stay in Japan
under statuses of residence such as Business Man-
ager may employ foreign domestic workers, but
highly-skilled foreign professionals may bring for-
eign domestic workers to Japan under certain con-
ditions.❼Preferential Processing of Entry and Residence Procedures
Entry and residence inspections for highly-skilled
foreign professionals are expedited through pref-
erential treatment.
■しかく Objectives and Outline of the System
■しかく Details of Preferential Immigration Treatment
Number of Foreign Residents by Nationality/Region (as of the end of Dec. 2016) Changes in the Number of Foreign Residents (as of the end of each year)
Total
2,382,822
China
695,522
29.2%
Korea
453,096
19.0%
Philippines
243,662
10.2%
Vietnam
199,9908.4%Brazil
180,9237.6%Others
609,629
25.6%
(Note 1)
(Note 2)
Totals may not reach 100% when added together, as ratios are
rounded off to the second decimal place and written to the first.
"China" excludes those who were issued with residence cards and
special permanent resident certificates with "Taiwan" listed in the
nationality/region.
(1.76%)
2,232,189
(1.59%)
(1.62%)
(1.07%)
(1.32%)
(1.56%)
(1.62%)
(1.67%)
(1.66%)
(1.60%)
(1.63%)0500000
1000000
1500000
2000000
2012 2013 2014
1996 2001 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2,066,445
(1.67%)
2,121,831
2,033,656
1,345,786
1,679,919
1,989,864
2,069,065
2,144,682
2,125,571
2,087,261
2,047,349
25000002015(1.88%)
2,382,8222016(Note 1)
(Note 2)
(Note 3)
Percentage of foreign residents with respect to the total population in Japan within
the parentheses.
The number until 2011 represent the number of foreign nationals with alien
registrations who stayed in Japan with a status of residence eligible for mid to
long‐term residents and the number of special permanent resident.
The numbers from 2012 onwards represent the number of foreign nationals adding
together mid to long‐term residents and special permanent residents.
(persons)
1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016
10,997,431
4,948,366
15,298,125 17,818,590
13,296,330
17,403,565
17,534,565
17,294,935
15,987,250
3,504,470 3,732,450
5,272,095
5,727,240
6,756,830
2,259,894
16,831,1127,450,103
9,152,186
8,107,963
9,146,108
15,445,684
7,581,330
16,637,224
16,994,200
17,472,748
19,688,247
16,903,388
16,213,789
14,150,185
9,443,696
7,135,407
18,490,65711,255,221
9,172,146
23,218,912
17,116,42004002006008001,000
1,200
1,400
1,600
1,800
2,000
2,200
2,400
(Ten thousand
persons) Japanese nationals leaving Japan
foreign nationals entering Japan
Changes in the Number of Foreign Nationals Entering Japan and the Number of Japanese Nationals Leaving Japan
Activities of engaging
in research, research
guidance, or education
based on a contract en-
tered into with a public
or private organization in
Japan
●くろまるAdvanced academic
research activities
Activities of engaging in work requiring spe-
cialized knowledge or
skills in the fields of nat-
ural sciences or humani-
ties based on a contract
entered into with a pub-
lic or private organiza-
tion in Japan
●くろまるAdvanced specialized/
technical activities
Activities of engaging
in the operation or man-
agement of a public or
private organization in
Japan
●くろまるAdvanced business
management activities
The three categories of activities conducted by highly-skilled foreign professionals
Immigration
Control
45 46
International Cooperation
Unified and Appropriate Settlement of
Disputes Involving Japanese Government6 76
The Ministry of Justice contributes to the development of crimi-
nal justice policies and the capacity building of criminal justice
practitioners in developing countries etc., mainly in the Asia-Pacific
region, through the activities of the United Nations Asia and Far
East Institute for the Prevention of Crime and the Treatment of
Offenders (UNAFEI). Moreover, the Ministry has provided assis-
tance for establishing legal systems for Asian countries such as
Vietnam and Cambodia mainly through activities of the Internation-
al Cooperation Department, such as drafting and amending funda-
mental legal codes, as well as fostering legal practitioners and es-
tablishing systems and institutions necessary for the law
enforcement, in cooperation with relevant organizations.
At the G8 Justice and Home Affairs Ministerial Meeting held in
Tokyo in June 2008, the Ministers reaffirmed the importance of
providing assistance for the development of capabilities in the legal
realm for countries requesting support in the criminal justice field.
The Ministers also affirmed the importance of justice sector tech-
nical assistance for developing judicial systems and basic laws and
training for legal professionals. The government also recognized
the importance of legal technical assistance and the need for its
strategic implementation, and as a consequence, the "Basic Poli-
cies on Legal Technical Assistance" (April 2009) was formulated. In
May 2013, these policies were revised to set the additional objec-
tive of establishing favorable investment conditions for Japanese
Lawsuits in which the state is a party include actions for damages
against the State on the grounds of illegal acts by public officers
who exercise public authority, or defects in the establishment and
administration of public buildings, and administrative lawsuits seek-
ing the revocation of administrative disposition.
The number of such lawsuits are on an increasing trend, and in
particular, the percentage of serious and large-scale cases which
may potentially have a profound impact on the politics, administra-
tion, and economy of the State have increased.
By producing evidence and constructing an argument from the
State’s viewpoint in a unified and appropriate manner as part of the
judiciary, the Ministry of Justice contributes to the achievement of
appropriate settlement of disputes based on law and evidence. This
allows the interests of the whole nation and the rights and interests
of the individual to be balanced properly and thereby is expected to
ensure adherence to the principle of "administration by rule of law".
businesses abroad, while emphasizing the conventional strategy of
strengthening the "all-Japan" support system based on coopera-
tion between the government and private sector. Furthermore,
"The Development Cooperation Charter" established by the Cabi-
net in February 2015 sets forth the importance of legal technical
assistance, which involves the development of positive law and the
training of legal and judicial experts. Legal technical assistance
serves as a means of sharing universal values and realizing a
peaceful and secure society, which is one of the priority issues in
the Charter. With respect to the Association of Southeast Asian
Nations (ASEAN) region, the target region of the International Co-
operation Department, the Charter places importance on assis-
tance that promotes the rule of law as the basis for stable econom-
ic and social activities.
Taking into account the potential number of requests from de-
veloping countries for such legal technical assistance (including
training programs for criminal justice and other legal practitioners),
the Ministry of Justice is determined to continue and further en-
hance its international cooperation activities in collaboration with
relevant organizations in order to help establish good governance
based on the rule of law, especially in Asia.
As legal professionals in the Japanese government, we provide,
according to requests from ministries and agencies having legal
issues, as well as appropriate solutions to such issues, and play an
important role in preventing disputes by delivering legal opinions in
terms of national interests.
The progress of globalization in the political, economic and other
realms could increase the chance of Japan becoming involved in a
case before a foreign court or international organization. The Litiga-
tion Bureau, with its skills and expertise on legal strategies, such as
submitting claims and proofs, deals with such international legal
matters that have an impact on national interests through coopera-
tion with Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other relevant ministries and
agencies.
Promotion of International Cooperation
How does the MOJ provide assistance to people
in other countries?AQ
Establishing and spreading good
governance by rule of law through
international cooperation with devel‐
oping countries contributes not only to the
sound development of these countries and
stability of the region, but to the strength‐
ening of international crime countermea‐
sures and the promotion of economic activ‐
ity as well, serving as an important contri‐
bution to the international community that
improves the presence of our country
abroad.
PICK UP!
Litigation BureauAQ
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What kind of work does the Litigation Bureau do?
The Litigation Bureau represents the
Japanese government in any dispute
involving Japan as a nation and performs, as an
agent of Japan, a range of litigation activities
including filing complaints, claims, and proofs.
In addition, the Bureau provides legal
advice in order to prevent litigation and
supports international litigation involving
national interests.
Local Seminar in Laos (at the Ministry of Justice of Laos)
The 11th Regional Seminar on Good Governance for Southeast Asian Countries7Change in Number of Pending Lawsuits (Total)
Summaries of Major Pending Lawsuits
The Litigation Bureau posts information on the Ministry of Justice website about lawsuits involving the Japanese government,
including summaries of major pending lawsuits and major decisions.
This database enables you to search and browse precedents
contained in the Monthly Litigation Report
(the information magazine issued by the Litigation Bureau).
http://www.moj.go.jp/shoumu/
shoumukouhou/shoumu01̲00024.html
Database of Important Litigation Precedents
http://www.shoumudatabase.moj.go.jp/
search/html/shoumu/general/
menu̲general.html
List of Major Decisions
http://www.moj.go.jp/shoumu/
shoumukouhou/shoumu01̲00023.html
Change in Number of Major Pending Lawsuits
UnifiedandAppropriate
SettlementofDisputes
Involving
Japanese
Government
Global
Cooperation
Pursuit of Lawsuits Preventive Legal Service (Preventive Legal Support System)
International Litigation02,000
4,000
6,000
8,000
10,000
12,000
14,000
16,000
12,033
10,094
2014 2015 2016
2011 2012 2013
About 3,800
About 1,500
2014 2015 2016
2011 2012 20130500
1,000
1,500
2,000
2,500
3,000
3,500
4,000
47 48▶Contact: General Affairs Division of the Regional Immigra-
tion Bureaus (Staff Division in the case of Tokyo Regional
Immigration Bureau) Immigration Detention Centers
Immigration control officers are as-
signed to regional immigration bu-
reaus, offices, branch offices, or immi-
gration detention centers, and are
responsible for detecting illegal immi-
grants or over-stayers, investigating vi-
olations, and treating and deporting
detainees.▶Contact: Personnel Section, Regional Correction Headquarters
Prison officers are, in principle, as-
signed to prisons, juvenile prisons, or
detention houses.
In prisons and juvenile prisons, the
officers conduct various treatment pro-
grams for inmates to facilitate rehabili-
tation and smooth resocialization.
Detention houses mainly keep those
suspects or defendants in custody,
where they are prevented from fleeing
or attempting to destroy evidence, and
are given consideration to ensure fair
trial.
Qualifications and Employment
QualificationsandEmployment
The national bar examination is designed to determine wheth-
er those who wish to become judges, public prosecutors, or at-
torneys have the necessary knowledge and practical abilities. In
2006, it was replaced by a new national bar examination more
organically linked with education provided at law school and le-
gal apprentice training.
The national bar examination can be taken by those who have
completed law school or passed the preliminary bar examina-
tion, but there is a time limit, and candidates can take the exam-
ination within a five-year period from the first day of April after
gaining qualifications.
The examination consists of a short-answer test (including
multiple-choice questions) and an essay test, and all candidates
take both tests at the same time.
The successful candidates will be qualified to enter the legal
profession as judges, prosecutors, and attorneys after training▶Contact: Personnel Division, Minister’s Secretariat, Ministry
of Justice
Those employed in the category of public administration, poli-
tics and international matters, law, economics, engineering, and
culture are generally assigned to various departments of the
Ministry and are involved in planning measures and policies.
Those employed in the human sciences category are assigned
to local offices to make the most of their specialized knowledge.▶Contact: Personnel Section, Regional Correction Headquarters
Correctional psychologists work at juvenile classification homes, penal institutions or juvenile training
school as professional staff (MOJ technical official (psychology)) making use of their specialized knowledge
and skills to provide guidelines for treatment of detained juveniles based on analysis of the causes of de-
linquency or criminal acts through interviews and psychological tests, and carry out treatment programs
in penal institutions and juvenile training schools.▶Contact: Personnel Section, Regional Correction Headquarters
Ministry of Justice instructors work mainly at juvenile training
schools or juvenile classification homes, providing specialized
education (correctional education), including lifestyle and course
guidance, as well as observation, in order to develop the juve-
niles’ individuality and abilities and ensure their smooth return to
society based on the instructors’ broad perspective and exper-
tise, and additionally provide employment support instruction
and course instruction at prisons.▶Contact: General Affairs Divisions of Regional Parole Boards
Probation officers work at probation offices and regional pa-
role boards, providing criminals and juvenile delinquents with
instruction through interviews and specialized treatment pro-
grams as well as job assistance, based on expert knowledge
about psychology, pedagogy, welfare and sociology, and are re-
sponsible preventing recidivism and supporting rehabilitation
within society.▶Contact: General Affairs Section, Facilities Division, Minister’s
Secretariat (architecture, electrical engineering and mechanical
engineering)
Local offices intending to employ officials (public administration)
Those employed in the public administration category, exclud-
ing in the Facilities Division of the Minister’s Secretariat (archi-
tecture, electrical engineering and mechanical engineering), are
generally assigned to local offices outside the Ministry.
A judicial scrivener represents a client in procedures such as
or deposition, and with authorization from the Minister of Jus-
tice, may also represent a client in summary court trial. A land
and house investigator performs investigations, surveying, and
application procedures needed for registration of real estate.
These are national examinations that determine whether can-
didates have the necessary knowledge and ability to enter into
The purpose of the preliminary bar examination is to judge
whether a person who intends to take the national bar examina-
tion has the knowledge, practical ability, and a basic grounding
in legal practices equal to those who have completed law school,
and consists of a short-answer test (including multiple-choice
questions), an essay test, and an oral test. There are no qualifi-
cation requirements for candidates.
▶For further information, please contact the National Bar Examination Commission
Address: The Ministry of Justice, 1-1-1 Kasumigaseki, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-8977 Tel: 03-3580-4111
The Ministry of Justice employs officials who have passed the Examination for Comprehensive Service, Examination for General
Service, Employment Examination for the Ministry of Justice Specialized Staff (Human Sciences), Prison Officer Employment Exami-
nation and Immigration Control Officer Employment Examination.
at the legal training center of the Supreme Court. (For details on
the training, please contact the Recruitment Division, Personnel
Affairs Bureau, Supreme Court.)
these professions, and are administered by the Minister of Jus-
tice. Both examinations consist of written and oral tests, and
those who pass the written test are entitled to take the oral test,
and passing this earns the candidate qualifications. The suc-
cessful candidates start work immediately after registration and
admission procedures.
●くろまるNational Bar Examination
●くろまるExamination for Comprehensive Service
●くろまるImmigration Control Officers Employment Examination ●くろまるPrison Officer Employment Examination
●くろまるEmployment Examination for the Ministry of Justice Specialized Staff (Human Sciences)
Correctional Psychology Profession
Ministry of Justice Instructor Probation Officers
●くろまる
Examination for General Service 
(college graduates and high school graduates)
●くろまるJudicial Scrivener Examination and Land and House Investigator Examination
●くろまるPreliminary Bar Examination
Qualification Examinations
■しかくResults of the National Bar Examination
CandidatesYearFigures in parentheses show the number of women from the total on the left.
Successful
candidates
Average age
of successful
candidates
Successful
percentage201320142015201620177,653
8,015
8,016
6,899
5,967
2,049 (477)
1,810 (408)
1,850 (399)
1,583 (371)
1,543 (315)28.428.229.128.328.826.77%
22.58%
23.08%
22.95%
25.86%
■しかくResults of the Preliminary Bar Examination
Candidates
Year Successful candidates
Figures in parentheses show the number of women from the total on the left.201320142015201620179,224
10,347
10,334
10,442
10,743
351 (44)
356 (37)
394 (40)
405 (71)
444 (81)
■しかくResults of the National Examination for Land and House Investigators
Land and House Investigator
Examination candidates
Successful candidatesYear20132014201520162017
6,017
5,754
5,659
5,658
5,837412407403402400■しかくResults of the National Examination for Judicial Scriveners
Judicial Scrivener
Examination candidates
Successful candidatesYear2013201420152016201779675970766062927,400
24,538
21,754
20,360
18,831
Employment Examination for Services
ACTION!
Imperial
Palace
Hibiya Park
Kasumigaseki Sta. Sakuradamon Sta.
SakuradamonGateMoatMoatMoatUchiboriStr.WestGateMinistry of
Justice Museum(3F)Leads to the Diet
Central Government
Office No.6-A
Red-Brick Building
Leads to Mita Line, Hibiya Line,
JR Yurakucho Sta.
Materials related to the Saiban‐in (lay judge) system
and the Houterasu center are also on display
■しかくMinistry of Justice Museum Tel:
03‐3592‐7911
■しかくMinistry of Justice Website "Welcome to the Ministry of
Justice Museum‐Message Gallery" (Japanese‐only)
E‐mail:renga1@i.moj.go.jp http://www.moj.go.jp/
housei/tosho‐tenji/housei06̲00004.html
The Ministry of Justice Museum-Message Gallery inside the red-brick
building of the Ministry consists of a room restored to its original
appearance (formerly the dining room of the Justice Minister’s official
residence) which retains the atmosphere of the Meiji era, and an adjacent
room with brick walls, and exhibits various historical documents and data
on the modernization of the judiciary and architectural modernization, as
well as information on promotion and publicity for the new justice system.
The Museum exhibits materials concerning the activities of
the old Ministry of Justice, including basic legislation
requiring urgent enactment in the first half of the Meiji era,
such as the laws concerning the organization of the judiciary
and criminal laws, and records of the contributions of the foreign government
advisors, in addition to displaying historical records of sensational cases in the
Meiji era as well as those related to the administration of justice.
The Message Gallery displays materials about major public relations
promoting deeper understanding of the judicial system and the Ministry of
Justice among citizens, and currently exhibits materials relating to the
Saiban‐in (Lay Judge) System and the Japan Legal Support Center
(Houterasu) concerning the new judicial system.
Ministry of Justice Red‐Brick Building,
1‐1‐1 Kasumigaseki, Chiyoda‐ku, Tokyo
From Monday to Friday/Free admission
(Closed on Saturdays, Sundays, national holidays,
the year‐end and New Year holidays)
From 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
(No admission after 5:30 p.m.)
Please make a reservation by phone or online when
arriving in a group of ten or more. Reservations will be
accepted three months in advance.
L o c a t i o n
A c c e s s
O p e n
H o u r s
Reservations
In the Museum‐Message Gallery Birth of the Red‐Brick Building
and Architectural Techniques
Red brick and steel
German architects
Left : W. Böckmann
Right : H. Ende
Dining room of the old Justice Minister's official residence
G. Boissonade, a French jurist,
and a draft of the old Japanese
Penal Code
More Familiar
Making the Ministry
of Justice
The red‐brick building is the only building that still exists
among all the buildings constructed as part of the Central
Government Building Integration Project promoted by the
Meiji government, and exhibits materials concerning the
establishment of the building, which has now been designated as a cultural asset
symbolizing the modernization of Japanese architectural techniques, as well as
the project to remodel and restore it to its original appearance.
Visit
Ministry of Justice Museum-
Message Gallery
Modernization
of the Judiciary
Architectural
Modernization
●くろまるTokyo Metro
1‐minute walk from Yurakucho Station
on the Yurakucho Line
3‐minute walk from Kasumigaseki Station
on the Marunouchi or Hibiya Lines
5‐minute walk from Kasumigaseki Station
on the Chiyoda line
●くろまる6‐minute walk from Hibiya Station on the Toei Mita Line
●くろまる10‐minute walk from JR Yurakucho Station▶▶▶49 50
MakingtheMinistryofJusticeMoreFamiliar
Constitution Week (May 1‐7)
■しかくPublic Relations Office, Ministry of Justice
(Secretarial Division, Ministerʼs Secretariat) TEL:
03‐3580‐4111
(2053)
Please check
the latest information
on events on
the Ministry of Justice
website.
Contact information for tours and events of the Ministry of Justice
Ministry of Justice
website
Letʼs Visit the
Ministry of Justice!
"Kids Room"
Let’s Visit the Ministry of Justice!
Events are held each year
on the first Saturday of Octo‐
ber for Law Day (Oct. 1), a day
designated as a time for
citizens to think about the role and importance of law. For the 2017
theme, Japan Law Day Festival in the Red‐Brick Building, there were
mock trial suspect questioning sessions by a public prosecutor, a mock
court, mock arbitration, a trial session of juvenile training school
education, and rakugo
stories with a trial by a mag‐
istrate in Japanʼ s feudal
period theme.
The Ministry of Justice provides tours on request from students like and children to deepen their
understanding of the role of the Ministry. Hear an explanation of what the Ministry does have your questions
answered by an official, take a commemorative photo at Sunken Square, and take a look around the Ministry
of Justice Museum‐Message Gallery located inside the red‐brick building.
Every year, the week from May 1 to 7 around Constitution Day on May 3 is
designated as Constitution Week, with events across the country designed to
spread knowledge and public understanding about the spirit of the Constitution,
the functions of the justice system and other related matters.
(Hosted by the Ministry of Justice, the Supreme Court and the Japan Federation
of Bar Associations)
Notarization Week
(October 1‐7)
Every year, the week from October 1
through 7 is designated as Notarization
Week, with public awareness activities
through newspapers and TV, posters,
leaflets, lecture meetings, and consultation
services held extensively throughout the
country to publicize the notary system.
(Sponsored by the Ministry of Justice and
Japan National Notaries Association)
Human Rights
Volunteers Day
In commemoration of the
day of enactment of the
Human Rights Volunteers Act
(June 1, 1949), the 1st of
June was named Human Rights Volunteers Day. Every
year around this day, Human Rights Volunteers carry out
activities nationwide by setting up ad‐hoc centers for
human rights counseling and conducting activities for
human rights awareness‐raising.
Human Rights Week
The United Nations designated December 10 as Human Rights Day at
its 5th General Assembly on December 4, 1950 in commemoration of
December 10, 1948, the day that the Universal
Declaration of Human Rights was adopted at its 3rd
General Assembly, and recommended that member
states perform commemoration ceremonies. In Japan,
the week ending on December 10 each year was
designated as Human Rights Week in 1949, the year
following the adoption of the Declaration, and
awareness‐raising activities for human rights have
been carried out throughout the country since then.
(Hosted by the Ministry of Justice and the National
Federation of Associations of Human Rights Volunteers)
Japan Law Day Week
(October 1‐7)
Japan Law Day originates from Judicial
Memorial Day, created on October 1, 1929 to
commemorate enactment of the Jury Law on
October 1 of the previous year, and on June
24, 1960, the Cabinet designated the 1st of
October every year as Law Day, with the
week from October 1 to 7 as Japan Law Day
Week. During this week, various programs
such as lectures, free legal counseling
services and other related programs are
organized all across the country to promote
respect for law, protection of fundamental
human rights, and establishment of an
orderly society through the rule of law.
(Hosted by the Ministry of Justice, the
Supreme Court and the Japan Federation of
Bar Associations)
The Brighter Society Campaign
The power of community action to prevent crime and
delinquency, assisting in the rehabilitation of offenders
The purpose of this nationwide campaign is to help
people understand the importance of preventing crime
and delinquency and rehabilitating offenders, combining
the efforts of people in their respective positions in the
community to build a brighter society that is free from
crime and delinquency. The highlight of this campaign is
variety of activities rooted in local communities held in
July each year across the country that call for
cooperation in and understanding of the rehabilitation of
offenders.
Photo of an official explaining the duties of the Ministry in the briefing room Red‐Brick Building and Central Government Office No.6‐A
Poster
"Human rights volunteers"
A mock court
Host: Ministry of Justice/
Supreme Public
Prosecutors Office
A human rights class
Mock arbitration
●くろまるConstitution Week
●くろまるRecidivism Prevention
Awareness Month
●くろまるThe Brighter Society Campaign
●くろまるJapan Law Day
●くろまるNotarization Week
●くろまるNationwide Legal Affairs Bureau Holiday Counseling
●くろまるHuman Rights Week
●くろまるThe North Korean Human Rights Abuses Awareness Week
●くろまるIllegal Work Prevention
Campaign
●くろまるHuman Rights
Volunteers Day
A mock trial suspect questioning session
Making the Ministry of Justice
More Familiar
Main Weekly and Monthly Events
of the Let’s Visit
the Ministry of Justice!
The Ministry of Justice holds
events f or elementary and junior
high school students during
summer vacation to deepening
young peopleʼ s understanding of the Ministry. In 2017, public prosecutors
performed mock trial suspect questioning sessions, a program was held in
collaboration with the NHK television
program "Knock Out Bullying" ,
children experienced surveying
inspections, immigration officer work,
a computerized personality analysis
test, a class conducted about human
rights, and comic storytellers told
rakugo stories for children.
Poster "Human Rights Week"
Central Event "Recovery Festival"
Tour of Kasumigaseki
for Children
Japan Law Day Festa
‐Feel Law Close to You‐456789101112123
Visit
Visiting the Ministry of Justice
Join the Events Recidivism Prevention
Awareness Month
Under Article 6 of the Recidivism
Prevention Promotion Act, July has been
designated Recidivism Prevention
Awareness Month, with public awareness
events held to deepen interest and
understanding of recidivism prevention
among the wider public.
2018.4
2019.3>E v e n t
51 52
MakingtheMinistryofJusticeMoreFamiliar
WORK GUIDE
http://www.moj.go.jp/KIDS/index.html
きっずるーむ 検索
Kids Room
The Kids Room character
「Dr.Brick」
Friends of the Ministry of Justice
What are laws for? What is the Kids Room?
What kind of place is
the Ministry of Justice?
The Kids Room character Akarenga-kun
It explains things
in an easy to
understand
quiz format.
We have friends
all around the country!
Law-Related Education mascot
"Hourisu-kun"1Civil Affairs
Bureau
The Civil Affairs Bureau conducts work involving
registration, family registration, nationality,
deposit services, and notarization, as well as
manages and operates the Legal Affairs Bureau
and the District Legal Affairs Bureau, creates
bills on basic civil laws such as the Civil Code,
the Commercial Code and the Code of Civil
Procedure.4Rehabilitation
Bureau
The Rehabilitation Bureau is responsible for
giving life guidance and livelihood support in
cooperation with private citizens to offenders
and juvenile delinquents so that they are
rehabilitated in local communities and do not
turn to delinquency again, and is also
responsible for conducting crime prevention
activities such as "The Brighter Society
Campaign" and work related to parole from
prisons or juvenile training schools.7Immigration
Bureau
The Immigration Bureau is responsible for work
involved in examinations when Japanese
nationals or foreign nationals enter or depart
from Japan, proceedings for foreign nationals
staying in Japan, and deportation of illegally
staying foreign nationals. The Bureau is also
responsible for proceedings for refugee
recognition when a foreign national seeks
asylum in Japan for fear of persecution in the
country of origin.12Public Security
Intelligence Agency
The Public Security Intelligence Agency works
to protect the safety of the country and the
citizens from organizations that assert them-
selves with violence, such as terrorist organiza-
tions. For example, the Agency is undertaking an
investigation into an organization called Aum
Shinrikyo, which committed indiscriminate mass
murder in the past, so that similar incidents will
never happen again.11Public Security
Examination Commission
The Public Security Examination Commission is
responsible for fair investigations and neutral
d e c i s i o n s u p o n r e q u e s t f r o m t h e
Director-General of the Public Security
Intelligence Agency for control measures against
subversive organizations that pose threats to
the safety of the country and the citizens
through violence.10Public Prosecutors
Office
The Public Prosecutors Office investigates
crimes in cooperation with the police and
decides whether or not to bring indictments
against criminals to the court, and when decid-
ed, asks for proper punishment against criminals
by the court.
9 Research and Training
Institute of the
Ministry of Justice
The Research and Training Institute of the
Ministry of Justice is responsible for compiling
the outcomes of the studies and research on
crimes in the White Paper on Crime as well as
providing training for the officials of the Minis-
try of Justice. Also, the Institute helps create
laws for countries where laws are not yet well
established, as well as providing international
training for the prevention of crimes in cooper-
ation with the United Nations.8Judicial System
Department
The Judicial System Department conducts a wide
range of work related to the judicial system,
including the structure of the court, measures to
make the court more accessible to the general
public, how to settle disputes by means other than
a trial, the lawyer system, and training of legal
professionals. The Department also promotes
efforts to enrich and develop law-related education
so that all citizens can gain a good understanding
of the importance of laws and judicial process.5Human Rights
Bureau
The Human Rights Bureau handles various human
rights problems regarding discrimination, abuse,
bullying, and violation of privacy, and conducts
activities such as human rights counseling, and
investigations and resolution of human rights
violation cases, as well as human rights
awareness-raising in cooperation with Human
Rights Volunteers, who are private citizens.2Criminal Affairs
Bureau
The Criminal Affairs Bureau plans and drafts bills
to inflict punishment on those who commit
crimes, asks for cooperation from foreign
countries and responds to requests for
cooperation from foreign countries to
investigate cases, as well as providing
assistance for the activities of the Public
Prosecutors Office.3Correction
Bureau
The Correction Bureau is responsible for giving
guidance or supervision to correctional institutions
such as prisons or juvenile training schools so that
treatment (such as security, prison work,
classification, assessment, education, medical
treatment, hygiene, etc.) of inmates is performed
properly, and is also responsible for conducting
research and studies on new treatment methods.
Did you learn
something about
the Ministry of Justice?
Now, let’s take a look at
what the Ministry of Justice
does in our daily lives!
The Kids Room is a website that introduces the Ministry of
Justice to elementary and junior high school students. The "What
Kind of Place is the Ministry of Justice?" and the "Ministry of
Justice in Photographs" sections use illustrations and photographs
to help explain the jobs of each Ministry department and agency.
Once you get a better understanding of the Ministry, try taking
the "Ministry of Justice Quiz" ! There is also a children’ s human
rights desk that provides counseling on bullying and other issues.
The Ministry of Justice is a place where people do work
necessary to make our society safer and brighter.
For example, it makes the basic rules that lets people live with a
feeling of safety, and when someone commits a crime and goes to
prison or a juvenile detention home, the Ministry helps make sure
that they never commit a second crime by educating them and then
helping them return to the society, where they who can lead better
lives.
Also, when human rights violation like bullying is occured, the
Ministry investigates to find ways to stop the bullying from
occuring again, and it also does a lot of other things to help make
life better in our society, like investigating both Japanese people
and foreign people when they come in and out of Japan.
Laws are things that make us happier.
Laws are rules that help us all live together through cooperation
and respect for each other’ s’ individuality.
By protecting our rights and showing clearly what rules we have
to obey, laws make it possible for us to live and act freely and
enjoy a more fulfilling life.
This page is designed to give elementary and junior high
school children an easy to understand introduction to
the Ministry of Justice. When read together with the
"Kids Room" page on the Ministry of Justice website, it
provides an even deeper understanding of the Ministry.
"Entora-kun" of
Osaka Regional
Immigration Bureau
"Poppo-chan" of
Fukuoka Regional
Immigration Bureau
"Akaruiine" of
Osaka Probation Office
"Appuri" of
Aomori District Public
Prosecutors Office
Saitama Juvenile
Classification Home
Mascot "Saikan-kun"
"Jakkun" of
Nagasaki District
Legal Affairs Bureau
"Katakkuri-chan" of Asahikawa Prison
A "rehabilitation penguin"
"Hogo-chan"&"Sara-chan"
and you’ll learn more!
Use it together with
Ministry of Justice
There are more than 70 unique
mascots that reflect the regional characteristics
and features of the locations of each administrative agency
of the Ministry of Justice around the country, such as the
Legal Affairs Bureau, the Public Prosecutors Office and the
Probation Office, etc. Let us introduce some of the mascots.6The Ministry of Justice
is doing various work.
Litigation
Bureau
The Litigation Bureau conducts work as attor-
neys for the national government, filing motions
with the court, making claims or bearing testi-
mony on behalf of the national government in
lawsuits where the government is the plaintiff
or the defendant.
53 54
MakingtheMinistryofJusticeMoreFamiliar
55 56
Human Rights
Campaign
Characters
Human Rights
Campaign
Characters
Jin‐Ken‐Mamoru Kun & Jin‐Ken‐Ayumi Chan
Law‐Related Education
mascot,
Public prosecutor
Judge
Defendant
Defense
cousel
Why do we need rules?
○しろまる×ばつ
COMPANY
○しろまる×ばつ
COMPANY
The Immigration Bureau examines Japanese and foreign
nationals whether they have any problems or not when
they enter or depart from Japan.【Work Guide 】 ❼The staff of the Ministry of Justice gives lessons,
creates teaching materials, etc. to communicate the
importance of law. 【Work Guide 】
The mayor of the municipality
registers information such as
when the person was born,
who the parents are, when the
person got married, etc.
under the family registration
system.【Work Guide 】
The Human Rights Bureau works
for the promotion of human
rights and provides counseling
on discrimination, abuse and
bullying. 【Work Guide 】
Information on the name of
the company and its address,
what kind of work the company
does, etc. are published under
the commercial registration
system to safely conduct
economic activities.
【Work Guide 】 In collaboration with local volunteers, we support
persons who have committed crimes and
juvenile delinquents for reintegration to society
by providing consultation on daily issues as well
as encouraging them to work on activities
which can help society.【Work Guide 】
The Public prosecutor investigates cases, express their opinions
by submitting evidence to the court, etc. so that punishment is
properly imposed.【Work Guide 】
The Correction Bureau manages
facilities for rehabilitation (prisons,
juvenile training schools, etc.) that
confine those who have committed
crimes or turned to juvenile
delinquency.【Work Guide 】
The Rehabilitation Bureau is seeking
private employers who willingly hire
offenders and provide cooperation
so that the offenders can return to
society.【Work Guide 】
The Research and Training Institute conducts
international work by helping the countries where
laws are not well prepared create laws. 【Work Guide 】 ❾❿❹❽❶❺❶❸❹Sara-chan
The Ministry of Justice Building (Central Government Office Complex No. 6-A and the Red-Brick Building)
History of the Ministry of Justice Building
Central Government Office Complex No. 6‐A, which houses
the Ministry of Justice, consists of 21 floors and 4 basement
floors. The building is functionally divided into two zones: the
Ministry of Justice zone on the north side and the Public
Prosecutor Offices zone on the south side. The outer wall of
the building is covered with dignified red granite from
Canada that harmonizes well with the red‐brick walls.
The building was completed on June 30, 1990 as the new
Ministry of Justice building. During its construction, the
preservation and restoration of the old Ministry of Justice
building (the present red‐brick building of the Central
Government Office Complex No. 6) was discussed, leading to
the conclusion that the building should be preserved and
utilized. As the only remaining historical building among the
Central Government Building Integration Project drawn up in
the Meiji era, the retention of the building is essential for the
setting of the Kasumigaseki district. The exterior was
restored to its original state.
The original red‐brick building, designed by the two
German architects W. Bockmann and H. Ende, was
completed in December of 1895 (the 28th year of Meiji)
after about seven years of construction to serve as the
Ministry of Justice building. The roofs and floors of the
building were destroyed by fire in March 1945 during World
War II, but the red‐brick walls remained intact. When the
structure was renovated through the restoration work
conducted from 1948 to 1950, some alterations were made
in the materials and the shape of the roof. The present
red‐brick building has, however, been restored completely to
it original appearance in 1895, and its exterior was
designated as a national important cultural property on
December 27, 1994.
Website : http://www.moj.go.jp/index.html
Twitter @MOJ̲HOUMU
YouTube MOJ Channel
1-1-1 Kasumigaseki Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-8977
Tel. 03-3580-4111 Fax. 03-3592-7393
Published in 2018 by the Public Relations Office,
Ministry of Justice (Secretarial Division, Minister’s Secretariat)
MINISTRY OF JUSTICE
Ministry of
Agriculture,
Foresty &
Fisheries
Ministy of Health,
Labour & Welfare
UchiboriStr.5A1SakuradamonSta.
Red-Brick
Building
Tokyo High Court
Mninistry of Internal
Affairs &
Communications
Metropolitan
Police Department
Public
Prosecutors
OfficeA10Hibiya Sta.
Hibiya Park
Hibiya Str.
Iwaida Str.
Kasumigaseki Sta.
KasumigasekiSta.KasumigasekiSta.Sakurada Str.
Ministry of
Justice
ACCESS TO THE MINISTRY OF JUSTICE
■しかくJR
■しかくMetro
Yamanote Line
Keihin Tohoku Line
10-minute walk from JR Yurakucho Station
Yurakucho Line
1-minute walk from Sakuradamon Station
Marunouchi Line
Hibiya Line
3-minute walk from Kasumigaseki Station
Chiyoda Line
5-minute walk from Kasumigaseki Station
Toei Mita Line
6-minute walk from Hibiya Station▶▶▶▶▶▶▶