2016MINISTRY OF
JUSTICE
Immigration
services
Criminal
justice
Registrations,
FamilyRegisters
Citizenship
Human
rights1567423About the Ministry of Justice
Structure, Historical Background, Quota and Budget .................. 5
Outline of the Organization .
.............................................................................................. 7
Internal Departments of the Ministry of Justice ..................... 7
Extraordinary Organs ................................................................................................... 8
Facilities .
.......................................................................................................................................... 8
Extra-ministerial Bureaus .................................................................................... 11
Toward Japan as "the Safest Country in the World"
Preventing Repeat Offenses
~Establishing the Safest Country in the World~ .
..................................................... 13
Comprehensive Measures for the Prevention
of Repeat Offenses .
.................................................................................................................... 13
Enhancement of Guidance and Support According
to Each Offender's Characteristics .
...................................................................... 14
Creating a "Place to Belong" and "Opportunity"
in the Community ....................................................................................................................... 14
"No Return to Crime,
No Facilitation of a Return to Crime"Declaration ................................ 15
Efforts to Achieve Safety and Security ........................................................ 16
Support for Crime Victims .
.............................................................................................. 18
Promotion of Judicial System Reform
Ensuring that the Results of Justice System
Reforms Take Root .
.................................................................................................................... 20
Promotion of Translation of Japanese Laws .......................................... 21
Establishing a New Criminal Justice System
that Keeps Pace with the Times .
............................................................................. 21
Enrichment and Development of Law-Related Education ........ 21
Saiban-in System .
.......................................................................................................................... 22
Realization of Basic Rights for People
Legal Affairs Bureau .
................................................................................................................ 23
Institution for Documenting Your Rights .................................................. 23
Improvement of Basic Laws on Civil Matters ...................................... 26
Promotion and Protection of Human Rights .
....................................... 27
Legal Services .
................................................................................................................................... 29
Implementation of Comprehensive Legal Support
by the Japan Legal Support Center .
.................................................................... 30
Enforcement of Proper Criminal Policy
Flow of Criminal Cases Committed by Adults .
................................... 31
Handling Juvenile Crimes and Delinquencies .
.................................... 33
What is the Rehabilitation of Offenders? .................................................. 35
Stable Securing of Volunteer Probation Officers .
........................... 37
Measures Implemented Under the Medical Care and
Treatment System for Persons Who Have Caused
Serious Incidents on the Grounds of Insanity, etc. .
...................... 37
Improvement and Enhancement of Treatment in
Correctional Facilities .
............................................................................................................ 38
Further Improvement of Juvenile Correction ...................................... 38
Immigration Control
Measures for Smooth and Proper
Immigration Inspections .
................................................................................................... 39
Immigration Control for Japanese and Foreign Nationals .
........ 40
Recognition of Refugees .
................................................................................................... 41
Point-Based Preferential Immigration Treatment for
Highly Skilled Foreign Professionals .
............................................................... 42
Global Cooperation
Promotion of Global Cooperation .
....................................................................... 43
Uniform and Proper Handling of Suits Relating
to the Interests of the State and the Like
Litigation .................................................................................................................................................. 44
Qualifications and Employment
Qualification Examinations ........................................................................................... 45
Employment Examination for Services ........................................................ 46
Making the Ministry of Justice More Familiar
⃝Visit
Ministry of Justice Museum-Message Gallery .................................... 47
Let's Visit the Ministry of Justice! ......................................................................... 49
⃝Main Weekly and Monthly Events .
..................................................... 50
⃝Kids Room.
................................................................................................................................... 51
The Ministry of Justice is closely connected to every member of the community. .
.................... 1
Ministry of Justice Challenges for the Future .
..................................................................................................................................... 3
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.
The Ministry of Justice is
closely connected to every member
of the community.
Happiness
protected by lawslaws213Challenges for12
Toward a
Safer Future
Toward a
Future of Interaction
Toward the
Future of Law
A session for speaking with people who support rehabilitation (Feb. 3, 2016)
(From left: Minister of Justice Iwaki, Prime Minister Abe, Mr. Shinji Tanimura
(flag artist for the "Campaign for a Brighter Society") )
Public officials and citizens of the private sector are
working together to prevent repeat offenses (recidivism)
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.
Immigration Examinations at the port of Entry
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.
Automated gate
Children’s Rights SOS Mini-Letters
(for junior high school students)
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.
Law-related education class
The mascot for law-
related education
"Hourisu-kun"
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."3Promotion of Recidivism Prevention Measures
Enhancement of Immigration Administration
Systems to Protect the People and Society
Laws Shaping
the Futurelaws3 4
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(8)
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(7)Detention Houses(8)
Juvenile
Training Schools(47)Juvenile
Classification Homes(51)
Branch Juvenile
Training School(5)Branch Juvenile
Classification Home(1)
Branch Prisons(8)Branch Detention
Houses
(103)
Women’sGuidance Home(1)Public Security
Intelligence Bureaus(8)
Public Security
Intelligence Offices(14)
High Public
Prosecutors Offices(8)
Branch District Legal
Affairs Bureaus(262)
Legal Affairs
Bureaus(8)
Branch Offices(106)
Regional Correction
Headquarters(8)
Regional Parole Boards(8)
Branch Probation
Offices(3)
Branch Offices(6)
District Immigration
Offices(7)
Regional Immigration Bureaus(8)Immigration Detention Facilities
Visiting Committee(2)
Penal Institution
Visiting Committee(77)
Juvenile Training School
Visiting Committee(47)
Juvenile Classification Home
Visiting Committee(51)
Branch Offices(55)
Probation Offices(50)
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 Prosecutors’
Qualifications
Examination Committee
Volunteer Probation Officer
Screening Commission(50)
National Bar Examination Commission
Civil Affairs Bureau
Minister’
s Secretariat
General Affairs Division
Registry Information Management Office
Registry Information Center
First Division
Second Division
Commercial Affairs Division
Director of the Civil Legislation Division
Secretarial Division
Office of Policy Evaluation and Planning
Public Information Office
Computer and Telecommunication Network Systems Office
Office of International Affairs
Personnel Division
Finance Division
Auditing Office
Building Management Office
Facilities Division
Technical Development and Engineering Office
Director of the Welfare Division
Criminal Affairs Bureau General Affairs Division
Research and Planning Office
International Affairs Division
Criminal Affairs Division
Public Security Division
Director of the Criminal Legislative Division
Correction Bureau General Affairs Division
Rehabilitation Support Office
Inspection Office
Prison Service Division
Juvenile Treatment Division
Director of the Medical Care Division
Rehabilitation Bureau General Affairs Division
Rehabilitation Service Development
Division
Social Reintegration Support Office
Supervision Division
Human Rights Bureau General Affairs Division
Investigations and Remedies Division
Human Rights Promotion Division
Litigation Bureau Litigation Planning and Coordination
Division
Research Office
Civil Litigation Division
Administrative Litigation Division
Tax Litigation Division
Director for Litigation Policy Support
Immigration Bureau General Affairs Division
Refugee Status Recognition Office
Entry and Status Division
Residency Management Office
Adjudication Division
Enforcement Division
Director of the Immigration Control Information Division
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. 2016)
Minister of Justice
State Minister
of Justice
Vice-Minister
of Justice
Parliamentary
Vice-Minister
of Justice
Quota (FY 2016)
Historical Background
Budget (FY 2016)
ORGANIZATION
OF THE MINISTRY
OF JUSTICE
1871⃝ Shihosho established
1947⃝
Separated from Shihosho, came under
the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court
1948⃝ Homucho established (Shihosho abolished)
1949⃝
Renamed Homufu 
(with 3 director-generals and
11 bureaus)
1952⃝
Renamed the Ministry of Justice
(with Minister's Secretariat and 7 bureaus)
2001⃝
Reorganization of the central government (with
Minister's Secretariat and 6 bureaus)
2015⃝
Litigation Bureau established
(with Minister's
Secretariat and 7 bureaus)
Ministry of Justice 863
Research and Training Institute of
the Ministry of Justice88Legal Affairs Bureaus 8,877
Public Prosecutors Offices 11,799
Correctional Institutions 23,597
Probation and Parole Offices 1,791
Regional Immigration Bureaus 4,208
Public Security Examination Commission 4
Public Security Intelligence Agency 1,589
Total 52,816
Note:The numbers in the Ministry of Justice include the number of special officers
The MOJ FY 2016 Budget totals 742.0 billion yen, including
498.9 billion (67.2%) in personnel costs. An additional 1.4
billion is allocated to MOJ from the "Special Account for
Reconstruction from the Great East Japan Earthquake".
(Unit: billion yen)
FY 2016
Budget
742.0
Personnel Costs
498.9
67.2%
Other
Non-Personnel
Costs
222.0
29.9%
Facilities Costs21.12.9%
Organization
About the Ministry of Justice Structure, Historical Background,
Quota and Budget
AbouttheMinistryofJustice5 6Internal Departments of the Ministry of Justice Extraordinary Organs
Facilities
▶ Secretarial Division .
..................................................................................
The Secretarial Division is in charge of secretarial and administrative
work for the Minister of Justice, etc., overall coordination of administration
of each department, clerical work pertinent to the National Diet, public
relations, liaison functions, etc.
▶ Personnel Division .
....................................................................................
The Personnel Division is in charge of the general affairs of the National
Bar Examination Commission and clerical work accompanying its exams,
etc., as well as clerical work related to human resources such as the quota,
appointment and dismissal of employees.
▶ Finance Division ........................................................................................
The Finance Division is in charge of the budget, auditing and revenues
and expenditures of the Ministry of Justice.
▶ Facilities Division ......................................................................................
The Facilities Division engages in the design, construction work and
maintenance of the facilities under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of
Justice, and also in international cooperation to help foreign governments
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 the employees and pension and accident
compensation.
▶ Judicial System Department ..................................................................
The Judicial System Department is in charge of the work of conducting
research and studies as well as drafting of laws and regulations on the
judicial system. The clerical work includes: the work of collecting, filing,
compiling and publishing of data on laws and regulations, court precedents
and legal affairs; the administration of the Legislative Council of the
Ministry of Justice; the administration of the Ministry of Justice Library
and the Ministry of Justice Museum-Message Gallery; the compilation
of statistics on the work handled by the Ministry; matters concerning
comprehensive legal support; matters concerning law-related education;
matters concerning the qualification of attorneys-at-law (bengoshi)
certified by the Minister of Justice; matters concerning foreign lawyers
registered as "Gaikokuho-Jimu-Bengoshi" (Gaiben); matters concerning
the examination of license and authorization and the supervision of the
claim management and collection companies (servicers); and matters
concerning the certification of private dispute resolution services.
The Civil Affairs Bureau is responsible for handling matters such as
the affairs regarding the systems of registration of companies and real
estate, family registration, nationality (citizenship), deposit services,
notarization, judicial scriveners, land and house investigators, and the
planning and drafting of civil legislation, such as the Civil Code, the
Commercial Code, and the Code of Civil Procedure.
The Human Rights Bureau handles matters concerning the
promotion and protection of fundamental human rights. Its functions
include investigating and handling human rights violation cases,
providing human rights counseling services, and promoting respect
The cover of a pamphlet explaining
the meaning and role of prosecution
⃝For its contents,
please refer to the Ministry of Justice website
http://www.moj.go.jp/keiji1/keiji_keiji12.html
The cover of a pamphlet clearly explaining
the various systems in the Public Prosecutors Office,
supporting victims of crime.
⃝For its contents, please refer to the Ministry of Justice website
http://www.moj.go.jp/ENGLISH/CRAB/crab-02.html
FUCHU Prison
Minister’s Secretariat Public Prosecutors Office
Penal Institutions
(Prisons, Juvenile Prisons, Detention Houses)
Public Prosecutors
Criminal Affairs Bureau
Corrections Bureau
Litigation Bureau
Rehabilitation Bureau
Immigration Bureau
Civil Affairs Bureau
Human Rights Bureau
for human rights. As field offices of the Bureau, there is 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 appointed by the Minister of Justice,
are placed in each municipality of cities, towns and villages (including
wards of Tokyo) across the country.
The Criminal Affairs Bureau is responsible for, among other
things, 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.
The Corrections Bureau is responsible for matters concerning
the treatment of inmates (such as security, prison work, education,
classification, medical treatment, hygiene) in the correctional
institutions (prisons, juvenile prisons, detention houses, juvenile
training schools, juvenile classification homes, and the women’s
guidance homes); the planning and drafting of correctional legislation;
the organization and management of correctional institutions; and the
international transfer of sentenced persons.
The Litigation Bureau handles state redress suits and administrative
suits in which the State is the party. Furthermore, they are in charge
of clerical work that makes suggestions from juristic perspectives
by request from each administrative arm concerning cases which
may lead to legal disputes. The divisions are also responsible for
dealing with lawsuits involving local public entities, independent
administrative institutions and other public juristic persons as
prescribed by Cabinet orders in cases where such suits are found to
be related to the interests of the State.
The Rehabilitation Bureau is responsible for administration matters
concerning the offender rehabilitation system in the community
which includes the parole of inmates of correctional institutions,
probation for juveniles who are under probation, parolees from
juvenile training schools and penal institutions or persons under
probation with suspension of execution of their sentence, crime
prevention activities, pardons and measures for crime victims, and
also matters concerning community-based treatment according to
the Act on Medical Care and Treatment for Persons Who Have Caused
Serious Incidents on the Grounds of Insanity or Diminished Capacity.
In addition to the immigration inspections of Japanese nationals and
foreign nationals, the Immigration Bureau processes the administrative
affairs relating to the residency procedures for foreign nationals staying in
Japan, the deportation of foreignnationals and the recognition of refugees.
The function of the Public Prosecutors Office is to exercise control
over all the work handled by the public prosecutors. The public
prosecutors offices consist of the Supreme Public Prosecutors Office
(in Tokyo), the High Public Prosecutors Offices (in Tokyo, Osaka,
Nagoya, Hiroshima, Fukuoka, Sendai, Sapporo and Takamatsu),
the District Public Prosecutors Offices (one each in the 46
prefectures except for Hokkaido, where because of the large size
of its administrative 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
prosecutors 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.
In criminal cases, public prosecutors have the power to investigate
any criminal offense, decide whether or not to institute prosecution,
request proper application of law by courts and control/supervise the
execution of judgments, and furthermore, as representatives of public
interests, they are given additional authority by the Civil Code and
other laws.
Prosecutorial power is exercised for the purpose of the maintenance
of the law and order of the nation and society. The exercise of
prosecutorial power is based on the principle of strict fairness and
impartiality, and cases are handled with due respect to the human
rights of the suspects.
The penal institutions consist of prisons which confine inmates
sentenced to imprisonment with or without work, juvenile prisons
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 taken
into the most suitable institution after psychological examinations
of their personality characteristics and social adjustment. The
institutions draw up treatment plans most deemed most suitable
for individual sentenced persons and actively carry out the various
tasks involved, including vocational training, living guidance, and
educational programs, etc.
In addition, some prisons, including Ichihara Prison and Ooi
Shipyard Prison Camp (of Matsuyama Prison), adopt "open
treatment"measures. In this way, the Ministry is actively introducing
new treatment techniques.
The treatment of defendants awaiting trial is intended to
contribute to smooth trial proceedings by detainment and by
preventing the destruction of evidence, while paying due respect to
the defendants’ basic human rights.
About the Ministry of Justice
Outline of the Organization
AbouttheMinistryofJustice7 8OSAKA Juvenile Classification Home
KAKOGAWA & HARIMA Juvenile Training School
Photo of guidance on problematic behavior
Photo of a Psychological Test
at a Juvenile Classification Home (posed image)
Juvenile Classification Homes Women’s Guidance Homes
Juvenile Training Schools
A Juvenile classification home confines juveniles who have been
referred by the family court when the court orders "protective
measures." The home conducts assessment of these juveniles
based on the expertise the home has in medicine, psychology and
pedagogy, etc., in order to provide relevant information for the
investigation and hearing by the family court. Such assessment
is conducted 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 conditions of
the juveniles and through clarification of the causes of delinquency.
The home also conducts assessment at the request of the
superintendent of juvenile training schools, the director of probation
offices, etc., for the enforcement of protective Measures, etc.
Furthermore, the home provides necessary support such as
counseling and consultation services based on its professional
knowledge and skills for the general public and school teachers
on delinquency, bullying and domestic violence, etc., in order to
prevent delinquency and crime in the local community.
The Research and Training Institute is one of the agencies of the
Ministry of Justice. The institute conducts a wide range of work,
including (i) research related to criminal justice policies and other
Ministry of Justice affairs, (ii) various kinds of training for Ministry
of Justice officials, and (iii) international cooperation both in
criminal and civil sectors provided for developing countries mainly
in the Asian region.
Activities of Research and Training Institute
■しかく Research
Research activities of the Institute range from general crime
trends and the treatment of offenders in Japan to the analysis of
specific crime situations and effective
measures to reduce recidivism.
The White Paper on Crime is an annual
publication that portrays the overall
crime situation in Japan, and
detailed analyses on thematic
research topics can be found
in the Research Department
Reports and Materials.
■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). In the training, various
training formats such as lectures, debates and exercises are adopted
so that the officials can acquire knowledge and skills needed
as officials of the Ministry of Justice, depending on their duties.
Through the training, the institute is aiming to foster officials
who can respond appropriately to operations that are becoming
increasingly 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]
In cooperation with the United Nations, Japan has participated
in the joint management and operation of the United Nations Asia
and Far East Institute for the Prevention of Crime and Treatment
of Offenders (UNAFEI), established based on an agreement with
the United Nations in 1962, and has trained legal practitioners from
The Women’s Guidance Homes confine adult females who are
rendered for "guidance measures" by the criminal court for violation
of the Anti-Prostitution Act. The home provides living guidance and
vocational training according to the needs for their rehabilitation.
Juvenile Training Schools confine juveniles, etc., who have been
sent from the family court as protective measures and provide
correctional education, etc.
At a juvenile training school, an Individual Plan for Correctional
Education which determines the goals, contents, implementation
methods, and terms of correctional education that should be
conducted according to the juvenile’s traits such as age, physical
and mental condition, and criminal tendencies, etc., is drawn
up for each individual, and the training school provides lifestyle
guidance, vocational guidance, school course teaching, physical
guidance education and special activities guidance according to the
characteristics of each juvenile.
Furthermore, aiming for smooth rehabilitation in society for the
juveniles who have difficulties in leading an independent life after
release, support for learning and working, securing of a place of
residence and continuous support in collaboration with medical/
welfare institutions are provided.
developing countries involved in the areas of crime prevention and
treatment of offenders, while also cooperating in the formulation
and implementation of proposals for United Nations policies.
[Technical Assistance in the Legal Field]
Japan has invited legal practitioners of selected countries to
Japan for training, and has also dispatched Japanese experts to said
countries to conduct advisory activities and hold seminars. Japan has
so far offered support to such countries as Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos,
Indonesia and Myanmar.
With regard to international cooperation, see "Promotion of Global
Cooperation"in page 43.
International Training Course at UNAFEI
Training Institute for Correctional Personnel
Mock Trial in Cambodia
White Paper on Crime
Training at the Training Institute for Correctional Personnel
The Training Institute for Correctional Personnel of the Ministry
of Justice provides the necessary training programs as a matter of
duty for personnel engaged in correctional services.
History⃝ The Training Institute for Correctional Personnel is a
venerable institute whose predecessor is the Prison Officers Training
Institute of the old Home Office established in 1890. It has a long
history and tradition as a training institution for public officers.
Research and Training Institute of
the Ministry of Justice
Training Institute for Correctional Personnel
About the Ministry of Justice
Outline of the Organization
AbouttheMinistryofJustice9 10Extra-ministerial Bureaus (Public Security Intelligence Agency, Public Security Examination Commission)
The Public Security Intelligence Agency is an administrative organ
whose duties are to comprehensively conduct functions including
intelligence activities and requests for dispositions regarding the
control of subversives and other relevant organizations based on the
Subversive Activities 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 relevant governmental policies
by providing, in a timely and appropriate manner, the relevant organs
with domestic and foreign intelligence/materials collected and analyzed
through investigation and related to the public security of Japan.
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. They include: Aum Shinrikyo,
which carried out the subway sarin gas attacks, among others;
leftist extremists, which have repeatedly conducted illegal activities
including terrorist and guerilla attacks; right wing groups; and the
General Association of Korean Residents in Japan.
Based on the Subversive Activities Prevention Act, the Agency
conducts intelligence activities regarding those organizations
which have a potential for subversive terrorist activities. When
it is deemed necessary to take control measures as a result of
intelligence activities, the Agency files an application with the Public
Security Examination Commission (see page 12) in order to take
control measures such as restricting their 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 Agency files an application with the Commission against
organizations that have committed indiscriminate mass murder in the
past and are still considered dangerous in order to take "surveillance
measures" or other measures for preventing a recurrence. At the
same time, the Agency conducts on-site inspections at the facilities
of these organizations under the Commission's order for surveillance
and carries out necessary investigations.
Public Security Intelligence Agency Public Security Examination Commission
■しかく Aum Shinrikyo Today
In order to reveal the status of the activities of Aum Shinrikyo
("Aleph" and "Hikarinowa" are central in its activities), the Agency
conducts surveillance of the cult in an appropriate and rigorous
manner. Investigations and on-site inspections of Aum Shinrikyo
have revealed that the cult still poses a threat in nature: the cult has
increased the number of new followers through recruiting activities
without mentioning its name; the cult also has reinforced teachings
designed to increase the followers’ absolute faith in Asahara, who is
currently on death row.
■しかく Intelligence Contribution
There are many challenges to the security of Japan and its
people such as North Korea’s ballistic missile test-launches, nuclear
development and abductions of Japanese nationals; China’s
extensive and rapid modernization of military strength; threats posed
by international terrorism and cyber attacks; and proliferation of
weapons of mass destruction. These challenges need to be carefully
watched. In particular, Japan has repeatedly faced situations
where tensions became heightened 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 organs 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 relevant intelligence with
regard to these challenges, thus contributing to the government’s
policies by providing relevant organs including the National Security
Council with the intelligence.
■しかく Initiative for public-private collaboration
The Agency is strengthening its measures to provide intelligence
regarding terrorism to private-sector organizations. The Director-
General of the Agency delivers lectures for private corporations
and economic associations and provides those organizations with
the "Summary of International Terrorism," outlining the trends of
terrorist activities in the world. The Agency promotes its initiative
for the protection of important information that private corporations
and research institutes own, introducing relevant information at
the "Public-Private Forum on Trade Secrets" held by the Ministry of
Economy, Trade and Industry.
The Public Security Examination Commission is an extraministerial
organ of the Ministry with the aim of maintaining public security.
Upon receiving an application from the Director-General of the Public
Security Intelligence Agency for regulatory actions on subversive
organizations stipulated in the Subversive Activities Prevention Act
or the Act on the Control of Organizations Which Have Committed
Acts of Indiscriminate Mass Murder, the Commission examines the
application from an objective and neutral viewpoint and makes a
decision on whether any control measure is necessary or what control
measure should be taken.
Lecture at Keidanren
Work of the Public Security Intelligence Agency
Work of the Public Security Examination Commission
Domestic information and data Foreign information, materials
Collection and analysis
Processing information and data as evidence
Application for control order
Decision by the Public Security
Examination Commission on control order
Control of subversive Organizations Intelligence contribution to
State administration
■しかく Workflow of the Public Security Intelligence Agency and the Public Security Examination Commission
An on-site inspection
About the Ministry of Justice
Outline of the Organization
AbouttheMinistryofJustice
11 12
What kind of questions should be addressed in order to build
the safest country in the world?
Preventing Repeat Offenses ~Establishing the Safest Country in the World~
At the Ministerial Meeting Concerning Measures Against Crime
in July 2012, the "Comprehensive Measures for the Prevention of
Repeat Offenses" that stipulated the mid- to long-term efforts of
the government for recidivism prevention was established.
In the strategy, a numerical target to "decrease the rate of
inmates who become re-imprisoned within two years of release
from prison by more than 20 percent in ten years" was set for the
first time as the Government’s efforts for recidivism prevention.
Next, lets look at the contents in detail.
(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
"reimprisoned inmates"refer to inmates who had previously been imprisoned to penal institutions.01020304050607005000
10000
15000
20000
25000
30000
35000
2003 2008 2013 2014(%)(persons)
First-time inmates:8,892
Reimprisoned inmates:12,974
Reimprisoned inmates First-time inmates Rate of Inmates Reimprisoned
59.3%
PICK UP!QEnsuring 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 ‘the
Safest Country in the World’" 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 2014, 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 (= recidivism, 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.AComprehensive Measures for the Prevention of Repeat Offenses
There are various factors for committing crimes or turning to
delinquency, however, to prevent recidivism, it is necessary to take
effective approaches to each problem as well as to give guidance
and support to overcome their problems.
Therefore, prisons, juvenile training schools and probation offices
are seeking to enhance effective and seamless treatment based on
empirical studies and according to each offender’s characteristics.
Enhancement of Guidance and Support According to Each Offender's Characteristics
At Prisons, for inmates who
have difficulty in rehabilitation or
smooth return to society because
of having certain reasons such as
drug dependency, the following
programs are conducted:
⃝Guidance to Overcome Drug Dependency
⃝Guidance to Stay Away from Organized Crime Groups
⃝Guidance for Recidivism Prevention for Sexual Offenses
⃝Education Adopting the Perspectives of Victims
⃝Guidance for Traffic Safety
⃝Guidance for Job Assistance
Workgroup at a Prison
Cleanup activity at a dry riverbed
Preparation assistance for serving lunch
at a welfare facility
At probation offices, in addition to specialized treatment such as
treatment programs for sexual offenders or drug-related criminals, etc.,
efforts for social contribution activities, etc., have been implemented.
Guidance Provided at Prisons and Probation Offices
When recidivism rates of those who have occupation and those
who do not have occupation are compared, the recidivism rate of
those who are out of work is four times as high compared to the rate
of those who are in work. If the unemployed can go into work, they
can not only gain steady incomes but also be expected to establish
interpersonal relationships through work which will then lead to
greater opportunities to re-establish themselves as independent
members of the society.
However, difficult situations remain for those who have committed
crimes or turned to delinquency to obtain work due to their
qualifications and previous criminal records.
The Ministry of Justice is engaging in job assistance in cooperation
with not only prisons and probation offices but also with various
organizations in the community as well as private citizens such as
cooperative employers, etc.
To match the job offer of companies which wish to employ people who have served prison terms
and the job seeking of those persons, new efforts have been advanced in that companies can post
job offers at certain correctional institutions through job-placement offices.
Employment
Information for Inmates
ACTION !
Creating a "Place to Belong" and "Opportunity" in the Community
At prisons or juvenile training
schools, vocational training that
will lead to employment in types
of businesses with high levels of
social need such as construction
industries and care welfare
industries is conducted.
Also, in addition to the acquisition
of technique and skills, the facilities
give guidance to enable trainees to acquire manners and abilities
needed for work, such as acceptable manners as members of a society
or communication abilities in the workplace.
Companies that employ those re-
leased from prison by understanding
their conditions are called"cooperative
employers"(see page 36).
The Ministry of Justice is work-
ing to strengthen measures to
support the efforts of "cooperative
employers" through such means
as economic support initiatives to
help ensure that employers can
provide sustainable employment
to people who have served prison
terms, etc., with assurance.
The Ministry of Justice is
seeking companies that are
willing to become "cooperative
employers".
Division of Care Welfare Cooperative employers
Vocational Training that Meets the Needs of the Society Efforts in the Community
▶▶ Ensuring Occupation to Lead an Independent Life
Examples of social contribution activities
■しかく The Number of Reimprisoned Inmates Among Imprisoned Inmates/Changes in the Rate of Inmates Reimprisoned (2003-2014)
Toward Japan as "the Safest Country in the World"1Toward
Japanas"the
Safest
Countryinthe
World"113 14
To make Japan "the Safest Country in the World," where crimes
are not repeated and, above all, where no more people are
victimized and the citizens can live safely in peace, it is essential to
create a social environment where everyone can accept those who
committed crimes or turned to delinquency once again in natural
ways as responsible members of the society without rejecting and
isolating them. (RE-ENTRY).
For the realization of such a society, the declaration "No Return
to Crime, No Facilitation of a Return to Crime" was approved at the
Ministerial Meeting Concerning Measures Against Crime held in
December 2014.
In the declaration, the following targets are articulated to
secure "occupation" and a "place to belong," which are the keys to
prevent recidivism, by 2020:
1 triple the number of companies which are willing to employ
those who have committed crimes or turned to delinquency by
understanding their conditions.
2 reduce the number of those who return to society from prisons
without any place to go back to by more than 30 percent.
The declaration explicitly asks for the efforts of the country and
support from the citizens by setting the above two numerical targets.
The prevention of recidivism is not an easy task. However, it is an
issue that we should never give up on.
The Ministry of Justice will face this issue squarely and will
continue to tackle it and make progress with the problem by
gaining the understanding and cooperation of the citizens as much
as possible for the realization of Japan as "the Safest Country in the
World."
For inmates who can ask their relatives for help, adjustments have
been undertaken so that they can be supported by their relatives
after release.
Meanwhile, the repetition of criminal behavior leads to
estrangement. They become isolated since there is no one to support
them. Therefore, for those who do not have places to go back to,
efforts are being made to provide them with places to stay for a time,
such as relief and rehabilitation facilities (see page 35).
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 prisons /probation offices and
local public authorities so that they can receive appropriate welfare
services after their release.
For further information on the
prevention of recidivism
"No Return to Crime, No Facilitation of a Return to Crime" Declaration
(Toward a Bright Society with Everyone Supporting Rehabilitation)
To enhance treatment for inmates who have difficulty in leading
independent lives, such as the elderly or disabled or those who are
drug dependent, officials with professional qualifications in the welfare
and psychology fields are assigned. Acceptance mechanisms at relief
and rehabilitation facilities are being enhanced, and from FY 2011,
efforts are being made to secure various places to accept them, taking
advantage of welfare hotels (self-support homes) which are managed
by incorporated non-profit organizations, etc.
Functional Enhancement of Relief and Rehabilitation Facilities and Securement of Various Places to Stay
▶▶ Ensuring a Place to Belong in the Community
Education at a relief and rehabilitation facility
A room of a relief and rehabilitation facility
The Ministry of Justice website introduces a wide range
of information regarding prevention of recidivism. The
contents are regularly being updated, so we hope you
will access it for information. 再犯防止対策
In 2002, the known number of general criminal law offences
had increased to 2.85 million and the crime-arrest ratio had fallen
sharply to a low level, making the deterioration of public security a
serious problem.
In response to this situation, the government lunched a
Ministerial Meeting Concerning Measures Against Crime in 2003
and concentrated government-wide efforts on measures for the
prevention of crime.
These efforts resulted in a significant improvement, with a
reduction in the crime rate to less than half that of the worst period
in postwar Japan. However, a survey of public opinion conducted
by the Cabinet Office in July of 2012 revealed that there was still
a high level of fear about public security, and with the emergence
of new threats such as cybercrime and international terror and 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 the 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 pursue its
recidivism prevention measures (refer to pages 13 – 15) and the
following types of programs.
Efforts to Achieve Safety and Security
▶▶ The Strategy to Make Japan "the Safest Country in the World"
In order to deal effectively with the frequently occurring
atrocious crimes committed by foreign nationals and the increasing
number of transnational crimes, it is necessary to gather evidence
from abroad more effectively and enhance cooperation between the
investigative authorities of foreign countries and Japan.
As part of such enhancement of cooperation, the Japanese
Government concluded 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 September 24, 2009), the Agreement between Japan and the
European Union on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal matters
(entered into force on January 2, 2011) and the Treaty between
Japan and the Russian Federation on Mutual Legal Assistance in
Criminal Matters (entered into force on February 11, 2011). These
treaties and agreements have made it possible to send and receive
requests for collection of evidence directly between the Ministry of
Justice or the National Police Agency and the judicial authorities of
respective countries or regions, not through diplomatic channels, to
enable expedition of procedures. The Ministry of Justice is planning
to strengthen cooperation with other countries as well in the future.
▶▶ Cooperation Between the Investigative Authorities of Foreign Countries and Japan
In Japan, many people from the private sector, such as probation
officers and cooperative employers are working on a daily basis to help
prevent recidivism. Furthermore, there are also a good number of local
government offices and corporations supporting these activities.
Within these efforts in the communities, many important keys for
promoting recidivism prevention at the community level are to be found.
For this reason, The Ministry of Justice has launched a Recidivism
Prevention Campaign with the Minister, State Minister of Justice and
Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Justice taking the initiative as leaders of
teams that travel around the country listening to the voices of officials
and people from the private sector involved in recidivism prevention and
speaking with leaders of key organizations in each community in order
to promote fuller understanding of and cooperation in measures for
recidivism prevention.
Minister of Justice
Mitsuhide Iwaki (4th
from left) with offender
rehabilitation volunteers
in Hiroshima Pref.
Minister of Justice
Mitsuhide Iwaki meeting
with Hiroshima Mayor
Kazumi Matsui
Recidivism Prevention Campaign
Search
■しかく Number of Reported Cases and Clearance Rates for General Penal Code Offenses (1996-2014)
Numberofreported
cases
Clearancerate1998 2003 2008 2013 20141996(%)
(cases)0500000
1000000
1500000
2000000
2500000
30000000102030405060Source : Criminal Statistics by National Police Agency
30.6%
Number of reported cases Clearance rate
1,212,654
Toward Japan as "the Safest Country in the World" 1
Toward
Japanas"the
Safest
Countryinthe
World"115 16
Along with measures at the borders and ports of entry, it is also
important for the restoration of security to reduce the number of
foreigners who are now residing illegally in Japan. The Immigration
Bureau is striving to reduce the number of illegal foreign residents
by reinforcing the detection of illegal residents, performing safe
and reliable forced repatriation, and implementing public relations
activities for prevention of illegal employment.
In addition, the existence of fraudulent foreign residents, who
work illegally disguising themselves as legal residents, has recently
become a problem; they falsify their identities as well as the
purpose of their activities and obtain residence permission by using
falsified or altered documents. Thus, the bureau will promote the
analysis of information on foreign residents whose information
can be obtained from the new residence management system
introduced in July 2012. Through this analysis, the bureau will
endeavor to build a society where no illegal residency by foreigners
is possible by assembling pictures of foreign residents and by taking
active measures against fraudulent foreign residents by accurately
performing procedures to revoke their status of residence.
In order to protect people’s lives and safety, it is highly important
to prevent those who intend to enter Japan for illicit purposes, such
as terrorists and criminals who disguise themselves 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 activities through the
methods described below.
●くろまる
Immigration Examinations Using Personal Identification
Information (Fingerprints and Facial Photographs)
Based on such information, the bureau is striving to prevent the
entry of terrorists or those who intend to illegally enter the country
with forged or altered passports hiding their records of deportation.
●くろまる
Utilization of Information on Lost or Stolen Passports Provided by
the International Criminal Police Organization (ICPO)
In order to prevent terrorists, etc., who impersonate others from
entering the country using lost or stolen passports, immigration
examinations are carried out utilizing the ICPO’s database on lost or
stolen passports.
●くろまる
Utilization of the APIS (Advance Passenger Information System)
and PNR (Passenger Name Record)
The Immigration Bureau is striving to identify terrorists, etc., by
obtaining passenger information and passenger name records in
advance with regard to aircraft and vessels entering Japan and closely
checking such information against a blacklist of terrorists, etc.
●くろまる
Reinforcement of the Intelligence-Gathering Functions of
Immigration Control
In October 2015,
"The Center for Collection and Analysis of
Intelligence"was established in order to enhance intelligence-
gathering functions, and immigration control is being conducted by
utilizing the pertinent information.
▶▶ Measures Against Illegal or Fraudulent Foreign Residents
▶▶ Measures at the Borders
Jan, 2011
Jan, 2010
Jan, 2009
Jan, 2008
Jan, 2007
Jan, 2006
Jan, 2005
Jan, 2012
Jan, 2013
Jan, 2014
Jan, 2015
(Month, Year)
Number of overstayers
(thousand persons)
...207
...194
...171
...150
...113
... 92
... 78
... 67
... 62
... 59
... 60
■しかく Changes in the Number of Foreign Overstayers (Jan. 2005-Jan. 2015)
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. In
June 2015, the Agency has also established the Special Task Force
for Intelligence for the 2016 G7 Summit to be held in Ise-shima.
Both of these are concerted efforts to strengthen efforts in the
gathering and analysis of intelligence.
With terrorism increasing becoming a real threat, as demonstrated
by the terror attacks in Paris, France in November 2015. In Japan
extremist groups have engaged in guerrilla type incidents and
rightwing groups have undertaken activities with their eyes on
developments in issues inside and outside of Japan. In order to deal
appropriately with these situations, the Agency is strengthening its
efforts in gathering and analyzing information related to international
terrorist and these domestic groups and strengthening systems for
providing pertinent information to Japanese citizens traveling or
living abroad. The Agency is also taking measures such as assigning
officials to Japan’s newly established International Counter-Terrorism
Intelligence Collection Unit as part of efforts to promote and
strengthen measures to prevent terrorism and other illegal activities.
Furthermore, to strengthen counter-intelligence functions and
prevent the proliferation of the materials and technology related
to weapons of mass destruction, the Agency is also diligently
pursuing the gathering and analysis of intelligence related to these
issues. In addition, with regard to the increasingly serious threats
to the cyberspace, the Agency is contributing to the government’s
measures against cyber attacks by gathering and analyzing related
intelligence and supplying it to the related agencies on a timely
basis and in relevant forms.
With regard to Aum Shinrikyo, the Agency has verified its danger
and anti-social nature as there are still believers who place absolute
faith in the condemned criminal Asahara. Therefore, the Agency
continues surveillance actions against the group with appropriate
diligence for the purpose of protecting the public security and
alleviating the fears and insecurity of community residents.
▶▶ Public Security Intelligence Agency
The "Summary of International Terrorism" (Web version)
●くろまる
The Basic Act on Crime Victims
The Basic Act on Crime Victims was enacted in April 2005. The
Act intends to comprehensively and systematically promote policies
to protect the rights and interests of crime victims and their family
members (victims of crime and victims of acts similar to crime
that adversely affect the body and mind of victims as well as their
families or the bereaved).
●くろまる
The Basic Plan for Crime Victims
Based on the Basic Act on Crime Victims, the Ministry of Justice
has promoted various support measures under the "Basic Plan for
Crime Victims" adopted in December 2005 and the "Second Basic
Plan for Crime Victims" adopted in March 2011.
Because the target period of the "Second Plan for Crime Victims"
terminated at the end of FY 2015, the "Third Basic Plan for Crime
Victims" was adopted in the Cabinet meeting in April 2016.
The Ministry of Justice is promoting various support measures in
accordance with the Third Basic Plan and other plans.
Support for Crime Victims
▶▶ The Basic Act on Crime Victims and the Basic Plan for Crime Victims
▲さんかくThe Public Security Intelligence
Agency website
http://www.moj.go.jp/psia/
Every year, the Public Security Intelligence Agency
publishes the "Summary of International Terrorism," as a review of
global terrorism trends. This Summary can also be viewed (in a Web
version) on the Public Security Intelligence Agency website. ( http://
www.moj.go.jp/psia/)
Immigration examinations using personal identification information
Onboard inspection in order to prevent illegal entry
●くろまる
Implementation of Patrols at Seaports and Other Measures
As well as conducting patrols and searches, etc., on ships at
seaports and other places for the purpose of preventing cases of
smuggling using ships, and patrols are also being implemented in
order to prevent cases of exploitation of airport transit areas.
The "Summary of
International Terrorism"
(2015 edition)
Toward Japan as "the Safest Country in the World" 1
Toward
Japanas"the
Safest
Countryinthe
World"117 18
●くろまる
Procedure for Payment Based on the Recovery of the Property of
Crime Victims
Under the "Act on Recovery Payment to be Paid from Assets
Generated from Crime," it is now possible, under certain conditions,
to confiscate such property taken by offenders from crime victims
through property offenses and to use the confiscated property for
the recovery of damages suffered by the crime victims of relevant
cases.
●くろまる
Victim Participation System
The victims, etc., of crimes such as murder or injury may, when
they so wish and with the court's permission, attend the trial dates,
etc., and engage in activities such as questioning of the defendant
under 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, etc.
●くろまる
State-Appointed Attorney for Victim Participants
A victim participant can request the court to appoint a participating
victim's attorney on assistance, under certain requirements; the fees,
etc. are covered by the state.
●くろまる
Restitution Order
A criminal court, making use of the outcome of the criminal
proceedings, is able to briefly and quickly examine and decide on a
claim for damages that the victims etc. of crimes such as murder or
injury may file against the defendant.
●くろまる
Observation of Juvenile Hearings by Victims, etc.
A victim of a serious case such as murder, etc., can observe the
proceedings on the date of the hearing of a case of a Juvenile.
●くろまる
Hearing of Victims' Opinions in Parole Examinations and
Communication of Victims' Sentiments to Probationers
"Hearing of Victims' Opinions in Parole Examinations" is a system
to hear criminal victims' opinions during parole examinations by
Regional Parole Boards.
"Communication of Victims' Sentiments to Probationers" is a
system to hear the sentiments of the victims and to communicate
such feelings to offenders on probation.
Regarding the implementation of these measures, officers
specifically in charge of the measures are positioned at each
probation office (victim-specific officers and victim-specific volunteer
probation officers).
●くろまる
Victim Notification System
The public prosecutors office notifies crime victims of information
related to their cases, including the determinations on whether or
not the offenders should be prosecuted, the outcomes of the trials,
and the dates of offenders' release. In collaboration with related
organizations, the office also notifies victims of information on
offenders upon victims' request, such as the treatment circumstances
of the offenders after the final decision in criminal trials and of the
offenders under protective measures.
The Japan Legal Support Center (Houterasu) nominates candidates
as court-appointed attorneys for the victims, does the administrative
work of notifying the court, provides travel expenses, etc., for victim
participants, offers various types of information to support crime
victims and their families, and introduces attorneys-at-law who have
experience and understanding of victim assistance.
▶▶ The Japan Legal Support Center (Houterasu)
▶▶ Concrete Support Measures19The justice system is expected to play an even larger role in the
21st century due to various social changes, including change from
an "extant regulation and coordination society" to an "ex-post facto
check and aid society." Therefore, it is necessary to continue to
strengthen the functions of legal services and to establish a new
legal system that is readily accessible to the general public.
For the realization of a closer, faster, and more reliable justice
system for the public, the Ministry has been implementing reforms
based on the following three pillars as fundamental principles: (1)
construction of a justice system which meets the expectations of
the people; (2) reform of the judicial community to support the
justice system; and (3) establishment of the foundations of justice
among the general public (participation of the general public in the
justice system).
A total of 24 Acts relating to the reform of the judicial system
were enacted in the three years from 2002 to 2004, and those Acts
have been steadily implemented.
After the above mentioned reforms, the effects and achievements
of the reforms need to take root, so that the justice system can fully
exercise its functions and the public can share in the fruits of the
reform.
Being in charge of the justice system, the Ministry of Justice is
ready to take appropriate measures to fulfill the requirements of the
new age while giving due regard to the aims of the reform of the
judicial system.
Ensuring that the Results of Justice System Reforms Take Root
July 1999 Establishment of the Justice System Reform Council (JSRC) within the Cabinet
June 2001 Submission of the Recommendations of the JSRC to the Cabinet
December 2001 Establishment of the Office for Promotion of Justice System Reform (OPJSR)
within the Cabinet (time limit for establishment: November 2004)
March 2002 Cabinet Approval of the Plan for Promotion of Justice System Reform
December 2004 Establishment of the Office for Promotion of Justice System Reform within the
Cabinet Secretariat (until: December 2009)
Government
Efforts
●くろまる
Establishment of the Japan Legal Support Center (Houterasu)
The Center aims to create a society in which the general public can acquire information and services necessary to
settle disputes based on laws anywhere in Japan.(Concerning the Japan Legal Support Center, please see page 30 of
"Implementation of Comprehensive Legal Support by the Japan Legal Support Center")
●くろまる
Enhancement of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)
ADR (Alternative Dispute Resolution) that can settle disputes flexibly by respecting the voluntary will of the parties
involved shall be enhanced, and the function of adjudication shall further be enhanced as well.(For enhancement of ADR,
please see page 29 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 from the perspective of facilitating cross-border transactions and
promoting direct foreign investment.
Construction of a Justice System that Meets the Expectations of the People
●くろまる
Reform of a System to Nurture the Legal Profession
The aim is to nurture the legal profession through law schools, the national bar examination and legal training.
●くろまる
Increasing the Number of Legal Professionals
The aim is to increase the number of legal professionals by nurturing the quality and abundance of professionals.
Reform of the Judicial Community
●くろまる
Lay Judge System -"Saiban-in System"
The system by which the general public participates in criminal trials (commenced: May 21, 2009)
●くろまる
Promotion of Law-Related Education
The government strives to promote law-related education so that the general public understands the significance
of law and judicial process and also acquires a legal frame of mind, thereby supporting a free and just society.
Establishment of the Foundations of Justice Among the General Public
The Three Pillars
of the Reform
Promotion of Judicial System Reform2PromotionofJudicial
System
Reform220
The saiban-in system that commenced on May 21, 2009 is a system
in which the saiban-in who have been selected from the general
public participate in the criminal trials for serious cases.
The saiban-in, along with professional judges, determine whether
the defendant is guilty or not and what the sentence should be.
With this system, the justice system will be closer and more
familiar to the people.
The Ministry of Justice has been implementing public relations
activities concerning the system so that the people will be able to
deepen their understanding.
Saiban-in System
Around November
Persons who have been selected by lot as
next year’s candidates for saiban-in will be
notified of their selection.
※(注記)
At this stage the candidates do not need to appear
in the court.
Trial
Saiban-in hear the witness testimonies and
examine the evidence.
The day of the appointment procedure
Six saiban-in will be appointed through
the appointment procedure at the
court.
Judgment
The presiding judge renders the
judgment.
About six weeks before the trial
The candidates who have been further
selected by lot for each trial will be
notified of the date for appearance in
court by the service of the writ of
summons.
Deliberations
Saiban-in and professional judges
deliberate and detemine together
whether the defendant is guilty or not
and what the sentence will be.
A room for deliberations
A courtroom for saiban-in trials▶▶The Law-Related Education Promotion Council
The Law-Related Education Promotion Council established by the
Ministry of Justice aims to enhance the opportunities to learn about
laws and the judicial system and to promote law-related education
in schools, through its activities such as developing teaching
materials for law-related education.
The Ministry of Justice will continue its efforts to involve citizens,
including those who take part in education.
▲さんかく
For more information about the
system, please refer to our website
http://www.moj.go.jp/
keiji1/saibanin_index.html
Appointment Procedure
Duties of the saiban-in
The mascot for law-related education
"Hourisu-kun"
"Hourisu-kun" was chosen through a
popularity vote. "Hourisu-kun" is playing
an active role in various ways, such as
in teaching materials for law-related
education to make the education more
familiar to the general public.
The Ministry of Justice is working to translate Japanese laws into
foreign languages and to make them available online, and English
translations of more than 480 laws have been made available on the
Japanese Law Translation website, which was created specifically
for that purpose. With the goal of uniformity in the translation of
Japanese laws, the Ministry of Justice has compiled and published the
Standard Legal Terms Dictionary as a guideline, with bilingual entries
for legal terms in both Japanese and English.
In the future, as well, the Ministry hopes to continue publishing
revised editions of the dictionary and information on English
translations of the law in subsequent additions to this website.
Promotion of Translation of Japanese Laws▶▶ Law-Related Education
Law-related education aims to enable citizens who are not legal
professionals to understand laws, the judicial system, and the values
that underlie them.▶▶The Importance of Law-Related Education
Following the reforms in various fields and deregulation in Japan,
it has become more crucial to prevent disputes, and to solve them
in a fair way based on law once they occur.
Furthermore, as is symbolized by the saiban-in system (see
page 22), 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 education, which aims to give citizens a deeper
understanding of laws and the judicial system, more important.
The Courses of Study, the national curriculum standard,provides
that students study about 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. The
Ministry will keep on with its efforts to improve the contents of
law-related education, with the cooperation of the Ministry of
Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, and other
relevant organizations.
Enrichment and Development of Law-Related Education
With regard to the criminal justice system, a variety of reforms,
including the introduction of the Saiban-in (lay judge) system,
have been advanced as part of the reform of the judicial system. On
the other hand, discussions on the reform have highlighted some
problems, such as the procedural methods for investigations and
trials that are adaptable to the new era, which still remains on the
agenda to be examined in the future.
In these situations, some questions have been raised about whether
the criminal justice system methods for investigations and trials may
be too dependent on interrogations and confession statements. In
order for the system to fully achieve the goal of ensuring the safe
and secure livelihood of the people, it is necessary to examine
diverse issues and to build a new criminal justice system, based on
such suggestions.
In May 2011, for the purpose of establishing a new criminal
justice system that keeps pace with the times, the Minister of
Justice called on the Legislative Council of the Ministry of Justice
to deliberate on ways to develop the substantive criminal law and
procedural law relating to criminal cases. In a report submitted to the
Minister in September 2014, the Council delivered two principles: (1)
the moderation and the diversification of evidence-gathering 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 some other codes to the 189th session of the Diet. This
bill includes nine items necessary for the new criminal justice system:
i) introducing audiovisual recording systems for interrogations, ii)
introducing the prosecutorial agreement system for cooperation
in investigations and trials, iii) rationalizing and streamlining the
interception of electronic communication, iv) clarifying of elements
for consideration concerning whether to admit discretionary bail,
v) improving legal assistance by defense counsels, vi) broadening
information disclosure system, vii) introducing 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 system and aims to establish a more moderate and
more effective criminal justice system.
The bill was partially amended and approved by the House of
Representatives, and is currently under deliberation by the House of
Councilors as of March 2015.
Establishing a New Criminal Justice System that Keeps Pace with the Times
▲さんかく
The Japanese Law Translation website
http://www.japaneselawtranslation.go.jp
Promotion of Judicial System Reform 2
PromotionofJudicial
System
Reform221 22
Real Estate Property Registration is a system which records the
actual condition of our important real estate assets, including the
location and area of the land and buildings, the name and address of
the owner and the rights involved in a public book called a "registry."
This documentation in a clear form that anyone can understand in
the "registry" ensures individual rights and contributes to smooth
and safe real estate dealings.
Making an inheritance registration clarifies the rights and interests
in the real estate property that you have acquired by inheritance, and
enables you to sell it whenever you want or take out a mortgage onit.If your real estate property is inherited multiple times without
intervening inheritance registrations, it would take much time to
identify the heir, and the procedural costs and fees for the inheritance
registration would be high. If the inheritance process takes too much
time, it might bring you disadvantages such as being difficult to sell
your real property immediately even though you want to.
In order to preserve your rights for future generations securely,
we recommend that you make an inheritance registration.
As one of the regional organizations of the Ministry of Justice,
the Legal Affairs Bureau is responsible for, among other things, civil
administrative affairs such as registration, family register, nationality
and deposits with a deposit office to protect the property and identity
matters of the people, the litigation
affairs including litigation activities
which are found to be related to the
interests of the State and the human
rights affairs for the protection of
fundamental human rights.
The Legal Affairs Bureau is composed of "Legal Affairs Bureaus"
(8 stations) and "District Legal Affairs Bureaus" (42 stations). A
Legal Affairs Bureau is responsible for one of the eight blocks the
nation is divided into. A total of 42 "District Legal Affairs Bureaus"
have been placed under the Legal Affairs Bureaus. A District Legal
Affairs Bureau is generally responsible for a region consisting of one
prefecture.
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
registration, family register, nationality,
deposit office deposits, litigation, and human
rights affairs. Branch Offices are mainly
responsible for registration.
In order to clarify the exact location and dimensions of piece of
registered land, the registry office has to include in the registration
documents a map called a "Registry Office Designated Map" created
based on the results of high-precision surveying. However, the
maintenance of Registry Office Designated Maps is not sufficient,
since there are also many registry offices which have old maps that
were created in the Meiji era. Professional personnel with specialized
knowledge and many years of experience in the registry office promote
the creation of Registry Office Designated Maps around the country.
"Parcel Boundary Demarcation" is a system in which registrars for
parcel (lot) boundary demarcation (the officials of the Legal Affairs
Bureau), who are experts regarding abuttals of land, demarcate the
registered land when its owner applies for the system.
After conducting various research, including field research and
surveying, the registrar finds out and clarifies the original parcel
boundary.
When an issues regarding the
parcel boundary of a parcel of land
occurs, it is possible to resolve of the
problem by taking advantage of this
system, without filing a litigation.
Companies play an indispensable role in the economic activities
of our country, but they can only acquire their juridical identity,
which is necessary in order to hold legal rights and obligations to
carry out such economic activities, through commercial registration.
Thus, commercial registration is an important system serving as a
basis for the economic activities of companies in order to ensure the
safety and smoothness of transactions. The Companies Act (which
contains provisions to make corporate management more effective
and flexible, to ensure that corporate management is kept open and
sound and to amend the classifications of companies from the point
of view of users) was enacted on May 1, 2006.
In addition to the above-mentioned development of legal systems,
to establish a registration system appropriate in today’s advanced
information society, enhancement of organizational structure of the
personnel engaged in clerical registration; establishment of effective
work processes, including mechanization and rationalization of office
work; optimization of the placement of the registration office; and
improvement of government buildings, etc. are pursued.
Also, in order to comply with the needs of today’s IT advances, registry
information services through which one’s registration information can be
verified on the Internet and an electronic certification system based on
the commercial registry have been introduced. Furthermore, registration
applications for real estate property, commerce and incorporation,
transfer of assigned movables, transfer of receivables and adult
guardianship are available online.
Legal Affairs Bureau
Institution for Documenting Your Rights▶▶ Responsibilities of the Legal Affairs Bureau▶▶ Defining Your Land Lot (Parcel) Clearly
-Creating a Registry Office Designated Map-
Registration (Real Estate Property, Commercial, etc.)▶▶ Protection of Our Assets
-Real Estate Property Registration System-▶▶ Commercial and Corporate Registration
State of the Legal Affairs Bureau
Tokyo Legal Affaires Bureau
Enlightenment poster about
Parcel Boundary Demarcation
■しかく Total Number of Registrations (2014)
Other
registrations
194,770
Real estate
property
registrations
12,453,990
Commercial and
corporate
registrations
1,444,319 Total number of
applications for
registration
14,093,079
▶▶ Inheritance Registration for the Future
▶▶ Organization of the Legal Affairs Bureau
Old Map Registry Office Designated Map▶▶ Solving Boundary Disputes
-Parcel Boundary Demarcation-
▲さんかく
For further details, please check the Legal Affairs Bureau website.
http://houmukyoku.moj.go.jp/homu/static/index.html
If you don’t register...
Q After many years of saving, I purchased my home. But
later, someone who claims to be the owner of the house
appeared. When I checked the registry, I found out that the
name of the proprietor was the person who claimed to be the
owner. According to my investigation, after I purchased the
house, the seller sold the house to him at a higher price. Isn’t
the owner of the house me, since I bought the house earlier?
A Unfortunately, you will not be able to claim ownership.
Even if you purchased the house earlier, since it was not
registered as your house, you will not be able to claim
ownership to third parties. In order to avoid such trouble, it is
important to carry out proper registration procedures as soon
as possible after the completion of a transaction.
Economic Activities and Registry Office Designated Maps
When redevelopment of land around Roppongi Hills was
conducted, it took a long time and much expense to define
the boundaries of the lots (parcels) involved because there
was only an old map. 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.
What is a "parcel boundary"?
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 merely by an agreement
between the owners.▶▶ Efforts to Implement Registration
Realization of Basic Rights for People3RealizationofBasic
RightsforPeople323 24
Family registration is the system that notarizes the kinship of
individuals from birth until death. Registrations are made for every
Japanese national and they are the only public documents to certify
that a person has Japanese nationality. Family registration work
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 directions to ensure that the work of
registration is performed in a smooth, proper and uniform manner
throughout the country.
There are people who are not entered in a family register because
the notification of a birth has not been submitted, and this has
recently become a problem in the society.
Therefore, the Ministry of Justice has posted explanations of the
procedure for enter such persons in a family register on the Ministry
of Justice website
(http://www.moj.go.jp/MINJI/minji04_00034.
html)
Meanwhile, from May 1, 2008 Family Register Act restricts the
cases in which a third person can make a request for the issuance of
a copy of a family register, etc. In addition, the law stipulates that
identification must be shown when the applicant submits his or her
information for registration.
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 such as the following:
1 work related to naturalization when a foreign national wishes
to acquire Japanese nationality (citizenship)
2 work related to applications for acquisition of Japanese nationality
3 work related to applications for renouncement of Japanese
nationality
4 work related to the choice of nationality by a person who has
dual nationality
5 work related to recognition of Japanese nationality
6 consultation concerning nationality
Meanwhile, an amended Nationality Act was enacted on January
1, 2009. The amended act has changed the conditions for acquiring
Japanese nationality, under the provision of the third article of the
Nationality Act, and has established penal regulations.
The deposit system is designed to accomplish a certain legal
objective by having a person entrust a sum of money or negotiable
securities to a deposit office (legal affairs bureau or district legal
affairs bureau) to guarantee the performance of his or her obligation
and ultimately by having the other party who is entitled to that
property acquire the money from the deposit office.
An online deposit application system has been implemented in
response to IT advances in today’s society. In addition, deposits for
a continuing case can be easily made by presenting a deposits card,
and a large number of deposits can be applied at the same time by
using a dedicated application system tool.
Notarization is a system under which a notary, a State agent
whose functions are to officially certify legal matters related to the
life of a private person such as the conclusion of a contract, certifies
matters as prescribed by law, by such means as preparing notarial
instruments. 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 individualʼs rights
and helps prevent possible future legal disputes. In this sense, it is a
"preventive justice" system.
Notaries, working at the request of the persons and/or parties
involved, perform tasks including creating notarial instruments
like wills, certifying private instruments, certifying articles of
incorporation and attaching fixed dates.
With regard to digital documents notaries are capable of
certification of private electromic or magretic records, attachment of
fixed dates and preservation and certification of digital information
(electric notary system).
Notaries are appointed by the Minister of Justice, and their
instruction and supervision is also performed under 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.
■しかく Total Number of Naturalizations Approved
1994 2004 2014 year
16,33611,146
9,27706,000
12,000
18,000
(persons)
The world, is changing rapidly in aspects such as
the living environment, etc. Will laws be reviewed?
Improvement of Basic Laws on Civil MattersQThere are various fundamental laws on civil affairs:
the Civil Code, the Commercial Code, the Companies
Act, and the Code of Civil Procedure; and they
stipulate the basic rules for people ’s daily lives and economic
transactions, the family system, and judicial proceedings.
Recently in Japan, socioeconomic circumstances have been
changing significantly, and public awareness has greatly
diversified. The Ministry of Justice is conducting necessary
examinations and reviews to make the fundamental laws
on civil affairs responsive to those changes and suited to the
current era. The Ministry also delivers its views on law bills
governed by other ministries and agencies on whether they
are consistent with the fundamental laws from a standpoint of
governing the fundamental laws on civil affairs.
●くろまるCivil Code
In 2013, a partial amendment was made to the Civil Code
specifying equal division of inheritance between legitimate and
illegitimate children following a decision of unconstitutionality
in a case judged by the Supreme Court on September 4th of
that year.
Furthermore, concerning the current Civil Code, the Ministry
has sent a proposal for a bill to amend sections of the Civil
Code regarding the law of obligations to the Diet. and we are
presently examining possibilities for a review of codes related to
inheritance.
●くろまるCommercial Code
In 2014, amendments were made to the corporate laws with
the aim of strengthening corporate governance, etc.
Regarding the commercial code as well, the Ministry is
currently preparing for a review of regulations governing
transport and maritime commerce (corporate activities
involving the use of ocean-going ships, such as sea transport).
●くろまるCivil Procedural Laws
In 2013, in accordance with Japan’s adoption of statutes
of the Hague Convention on parental responsibility and
protection of children (Hague Convention 1996) regarding
the international abduction of children, laws necessary for the
enactment of the Convention (laws concerning civil cases of
international abduction of children) were passed.
Also, concerning civil measures, the Ministry has sent
a proposal for a bill to implement regulations governing
international jurisdiction with regard to litigation regarding
personal status and domestic relations to the Diet.A■しかく Number of Deposits (from Apr. 2014 to Mar. 2015)
■しかくNumber of Cases ■しかくAmount of Money
Deposits received
247,103
Deposits paid out
285,103
Deposits received
362,801,333,298yen
Deposits paid out
297,302,027,1
10yen
Family Registration
Nationality Administration
Deposit (Kyotaku) Administration
Notary System
■しかく Statistics on Family Registration (from Apr. 2014 to Mar. 2015)
Marriages
1,486,119Others
1,636,991
Deaths
1,656,706
Divorces
374,863
Births
1,493,806
Total
6,648,485
Realization of Basic Rights for People 3
RealizationofBasic
RightsforPeople325 26
There are various human rights violation cases (cases where human
rights violations are suspected): assault and maltreatment against
women, children, the elderly, etc.; bullying at schools; compulsion
and coercion in the forms of sexual harassment, "power harassment"
and stalking behavior; and defamation and invasion of privacy on the
Internet. Pertaining to these human rights violation cases, to relieve and
prevent damages, the organizations provide assistance to victims (e.g.
introductions to responsible authorities or other organizations, giving
legal advice, etc.), adjust relations of the parties involved as well as
give "instruction" or make "recommendations" to the other party when
violation of human rights is identified.
Awareness-raising for human rights is one of the most important
duties of the human rights bodies. The aims of awareness-raising are
to make sure that the necessity and importance of respecting human
rights are understood by the people and the idea of respecting
human rights is spread among the people.
●くろまる
●くろまる Awareness-raising Activities
Awareness-raising activities are widely carried out for the general
public through various means. Generally, the human rights bodies
annually set priority targets, and in line with the targets, activities are
conducted by means of holding symposiums, lectures, movie events;
organizing various events; and utilizing mass media such as TV, Radio
and the Internet.▶▶ 
Investigation and Remedies Measures for
Human Rights Violation Cases
■しかく Counseling Services
■しかく Chart of Human Rights Organizations
Human rights volunteers are counseling partners in your town.
They are selected from among private citizens recommended by
mayors of municipalities 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 private citizens should work
side by side to protect human rights of local inhabitants.
About 14,000 human rights volunteers (about 6,000 of whom
are female) are placed in municipalities (including wards of Tokyo)
across the country to handle human rights problems by means such
as activities for human rights awareness-raising and human rights
counseling in cooperation with officers of the Legal Affairs Bureaus
and the District Legal Affairs Bureaus.
●くろまる
●くろまる Awareness-raising Activities Aimed at Children
"The 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 for the purpose of
enabling junior high school students to deepen their understanding
of the importance and necessity of respecting human rights and to
acquire greater awareness of human rights through writing essays
on human rights issues.
"Human Rights Lectures"
The human rights lectures is an awareness-raising activity aiming
to deepen a feeling of compassion and to learn the preciousness
of life among children by creating opportunities to think about
bullying, and so on. The classes are aimed mainly at elementary
school children and junior high school students, 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 the campaign, children are given flower seeds or bulbs and grow
them by cooperating together. Through the experience,they realize
the preciousness of life, nurture a warm-hearted spirit and learn
tenderness and compassion.
Human rights counseling is available for all kinds of human rights
problems, and counselors give advice depending on the content.
When human rights violations are suspected, the human rights
bodies initiate investigation in accordance with the consulter’s
disposition.
The counseling services are free of charge, easy to use and strictly
confidential.
●くろまる
●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; interview-style counseling, phone
counseling and Internet counseling are available. In addition,
counseling services with interpreters at human rights counseling
centers for foreigners are available at Legal Affairs Bureaus and
District Legal Affairs Bureaus in Tokyo, Osaka and Nagoya, etc.
●くろまる
●くろまる Children’s Rights SOS Mini-Letters
Legal Affairs Bureaus and District Legal Affairs Bureaus are
actively responding to consultations by children through "Children’s
Rights SOS Mini-Letters"(letter paper with a pre-stamped envelope).
They are distributed to elementary and junior high school students
nationwide as part of efforts for solving human-rights problems
involving children (e.g. bullying and corporal punishment at school
and abuse of children at home).
Promotion and Protection of Human Rights
(Human Rights Counseling, Investigation and Remedies Measures, Human Rights Promotion, etc.)▶▶ Human Rights Counseling▶▶ Human Rights Volunteers
▶▶Awareness-raising for Human Rights
■しかく Number of Human Rights Violation Cases
(from Jan. 1 to Dec.31, 2014)
assault,
maltreatment 4,134
bullying in
schools
3,763
violation of
the security of
residence and living
3,256
compulsion, coercion
2,327
violation of the rights
of workers
2,245
defamation and invasion
of privacy
2,079
violation of
rights by
school teachers
1,505
violation of rights
by other public officials364violation of rights
in welfare facility 246
violation of rights
by special public officials229violation of rights
by prison officials 104
others 597
Newly
received cases
21,718
discriminatory
treatment869Associations 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, 2016)
Ministry of Justice (Human Rights Bureau)
Human Rights Division of
District Legal Affairs Bureau
Human Rights Department of
Legal Affairs Bureau
Branch Bureau (262)
The human rights volunteers councils (315)
Regional Association of Human Rights Volunteers (8)
The National Federation of Associations
of Human Rights Volunteers
Prefectural Association of Human Rights Volunteers (50)
8 Legal Affairs Bureaus in Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya,
Hiroshima, Fukuoka, Sendai, Sapporo and Takamatsu
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)
STOP! HATE SPEECH
The human rights flower campaign
Children’s Rights SOS Mini-Letters
(for junior high school students)
インターネット人権相談 Search Click
http://www.moj.go.jp/JINKEN/jinken113.html
0570−003−110
0120−007−110
0570−070−810
Human Rights
Hotline
Children's Rights
Hotline
Women's Rights
HotlinePCMobile
Foreign-language
Human Rights
Hotline
0570−090−911
0570−050−110
https://www.jinken.go.jp/soudan/
mobile/001.html
Chinese
English
(with a nationwide number)
(with a nationwide toll-free number)
(with a nationwide number)
(with a nationwide number)
"Parents-Children Symposium"
on Hansen’s Disease
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
人権イメージキャラクター
Jin-KEN-Mamoru Kun & Jin-KEN-Ayumi Chan
Jin-KEN-Mamoru Kun & Jin-KEN-Ayumi Chan
Human Rights Campaign Characters
Realization of Basic Rights for People 3
RealizationofBasic
RightsforPeople327 28
In order to obtain the qualification of an attorney-at-law, in
principle a person is required to complete the legal apprentice
training course after passing the national bar examination.
As an exception, the qualification of an attorney-at-law is given
through the Attorney Certification System with the approval of
the Minister of Justice to those who have acquired a certain level
of actual legal practice experience in corporate enterprises after
passing the national bar examination.
The Ministry of Justice is responsible for work concerning the
certification of qualifications for attorney-at-law.
The Gaikokuho-Jimu-Bengoshi (Gaiben) system is designed to
permit persons qualified as lawyers in foreign states to handle specific
legal business in Japan as a Gaiben, without taking a qualification
examination anew.
To become "Gaiben", the qualified foreign lawyers must be
approved by the Minister of Justice in accordance with the "Act
on Special Measures Concerning the Handling of Legal Services
by Foreign Lawyers." Also they must be registered on the Roll of
Registered Foreign Lawyers kept by the Japan Federation of Bar
Associations.
The Ministry of Justice is responsible for work concerning the
approval of qualifications for Gaiben.
As an exception to the Attorney Act, 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 enacted on February 1, 1999.
Servicers licensed by the Minister of Justice are allowed to
manage and collect specified monetary claims provided for by the
Servicer Act.
The Ministry of Justice is responsible for examining and screening
these servicers when giving approval and license as well as for
supervising them to ensure appropriate practices by conducting on-
site inspections, etc.
The Act on Promotion of Use of Alternative Dispute Resolution,
enacted on April 1, 2007 as part of the reform of the judicial 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
recognized as proper and satisfying the statutory criteria and
requirements for the purpose of promoting the use of alternative
dispute resolution processes (procedures for the resolution of a civil
dispute between parties who seek, with the involvement of a fair
third party, a resolution without using legal procedures).
Certified dispute resolution business operators (private businesses
certified by the Minister of Justice) are engaged in resolving
disputes, utilizing their professional knowledge and experience, in
order to accurately meet the diverse needs of the people.
The number of certified dispute resolution business operators
increased from 10 in FY2007 when the system was launched to
over 140 in FY2015. The fields of disputes handled have become
more diversified and the accessibility to the system has been further
improved.
The Ministry of Justice is responsible for work concerning the
certification of private dispute resolution services, and undertaking
various efforts to ensure that procedures for conciliations, etc., taken
by certified dispute resolution operators will be used extensively as
an accessible means of resolving disputes.
Judicial scriveners are legal experts who contribute to protecting
rights and benefits of the people; they engage in registration
procedures of immovable property and commercial registration
(incorporation of companies, etc.) on behalf of the client as well
as in preparation of documents for the court. Since 2003, judicial
scriveners, certified by the Minister of Justice after completing
the designated training course, have been able to engage in civil
procedures on behalf of clients at summary courts. Furthermore,
since 2006, they have been able to 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 responsible
for the judicial scriveners system.
The land and house investigators contribute to the clarification
of rights of the people related to real estate. They take charge of
necessary investigations, surveys, and application procedures on
registering real estate on behalf of a client. From 2006, the land
and house investigators approved by the Minister of Justice by
completing a certain training course to act as agents in proceedings
to identify registered land parcel sections, are able to undertake
proceedings for solving civil disputes that originate from unclear
registered land parcel sections; the dispute resolution business
operators who engage in the proceedings must be designated by
the Minister of Justice and the operations are to be carried out
jointly with attorneys-at-law.
The Civil Affairs Bureau of the Ministry of Justice is responsible
for the land and house investigators system.
The Comprehensive Legal Support Act was approved at the 2004
ordinary Diet session. The Act is based on the Comprehensive Legal
Support Plan, which is designed to provide all citizens in Japan with
necessary information and services for legal solutions to disputes
both on civil and on criminal affairs so that the justice system may
be more accessible to the citizens.
●くろまる
●くろまる Japan Legal Support Center (Houterasu)
The Japan Legal Support Center (Houterasu), established within
the framework of an independent administrative agency, forms
the core of the Comprehensive Legal Support Plan. The Ministry of
Justice takes charge of the corporate body.
The Houterasu, with the purpose of promptly and properly
implementing operations related to comprehensive legal support,
was established in April 2006 and commenced its operations in
October of the same year. The popular name "Houterasu" expresses
the belief that it can"shed light on the confused minds of those who
are suffering from troubles by providing a path to settlement based
on the law" and "be a place like a sunny terrace where everyone can
relax."
Legal Services Implementation of Comprehensive Legal Support by the Japan Legal Support Center▶▶Attorney Certification System ▶
▶What is the Comprehensive Legal Support Plan? ▶
▶ Outline of the Operations of
the Japan Legal Support Center (Houterasu)
▶▶ Judicial Scriveners
▶▶ Land and House Investigators▶▶ Gaikokuho-Jimu-Bengoshi▶▶ Claim Management and Collection Companies (Servicers)▶▶ Certified Dispute Resolution Business Operators
▶▶ Judicial Scriveners
http://www.moj.go.jp/KANBOU/ADR/index.html
Coordinationandcooperation
Consultation
Provision of
information/
services
for settlement of
legal problems
Users
(General
Public)
☎ 0570−078374
☎ 0570−079714
-Local
governments
-Legal experts such
as attorneys-at-law
and judicial scriven-
ers, etc.
-Organizations and
o t h e r p e r s o n s
providing assistance
for the victims, etc.
Organizations and
other persons that
cooperate with the
Japan Legal Support
Center for settlement
of legal problems
(Telephone number for the assistance of crime victims)
(Call Center)
THE JAPAN LEGAL SUPPORT CENTER
http://www.houterasu.or.jp
●くろまるInformation Services
Provision of free information for the settlement of legal problems.
●くろまるCivil Legal Aid
Free consultation for persons of limited means for legal problems,
or granting of loans for them to cover the expenses of trials, etc.
●くろまるMeasures for Areas with Limited Judicial Services
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.
●くろまるCrime Victims Support
Provision of free information concerning
attorneys-at-law who are well versed in assistance to
victims or organizations providing assistance for victims.
●くろまるEnsuring Appointment of Court-Appointed Defense Counsels
Ensuring the system for the prompt and proper
appointment of court-appointed defense counsels, etc.
and court-appointed attorneys-at-law for the victims.
Social
Activities
The principal operations of Japan Legal Support Center (Houterasu)
consist of the following five (5) services as prescribed in Article 30,
Paragraph 1 of the Act:
1 Information Services
2 Civil Legal Aid
3 Legal Aid for Criminal Defense
4 Measures for Areas with Limited Legal Services
5 Support for Victims of Crime
Another service area for the Houterasu is coordinating and
encouraging the cooperation of authorities and organizations that
have operations related to the five (5) core services. Moreover,
the Houterasu may also provide services entrusted by the national
government, local governments, non-profit corporations and other
organizations, to the extent that it does not impair the Houterasu’s
delivery of its core services (Article 30, Paragraph 2 of the Act). In
addition, since April 2012, the Houterasu has been providing legal
aid to victims and survivors of the Great East Japan Earthquake.
Realization of Basic Rights for People 3
RealizationofBasic
RightsforPeople329 30
❶ Police etc.
All cases in which the police, etc., arrest suspects and conduct
necessary investigations are transferred to public prosecutors, in
principle.
❷ Public Prosecutors Office
Public prosecutors conduct necessary investigations on the
cases transferred from the police and determine whether or not to
indict the accused based on the law and evidence. At times, they
themselves detect criminal cases or conduct investigations on cases
that have been charged or accused.
❸ Court
The courts hold hearings at public trials, and when they recognize
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, the prison
term may be suspended due to extenuating circumstances, and
probation may be given during the period 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 administered
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 like prisons. Penal institutions help
inmates to reform themselves and to re-integrate into the community
by means of correctional treatment.
Those who are incapable of paying the full amount of a penalty 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 decision
by the regional parole board even before the expiration of their
term, and such parolees are placed under supervision while they are
on parole. Also, those who have been given a suspended sentence
on the condition of probation are placed under probationary
supervision during the period of suspension, after the sentence has
been settled.
These parolees/probationers receive guidance and assistance
from the probation officers of probation offices and volunteer
probation officers and pursue rehabilitation for a smooth return to
society.
❻ Women’s Guidance Home
Adult females who have been taken into custody for violating the
Anti-Prostitution Act are detained in women’s guidance homes and
will be placed on probation when they are granted parole release.
■しかく Percentage Breakdown of Cases (Offenders) Handled at the Public Prosecutors Offices Across the Country (2014) ■しかく Number of Persons Newly Commencing Their Probation/Parole According to Offense Types (2014)
■しかく Number of Newly Committed Inmates, by Offense (2014)
Prosecution
Acceptance
Imprisonment with or
without work, Penal detention
Acceptance
Release on expiry of full
prison sentence
Admission
Release on expiry of term
of protective measures
Admission
Release on expiry of term
of probation and parole, etc.
Acceptance
Pecuniary penalty against traffic violations
Disposition of trivial cases
Investigation initiated by a public prosecutor, etc.
Non-prosecution12
Probation Office
Prison
Referral to
a public prosecutor
Public
Prosecutors Office
Police, etc.
Offense
Revocation, etc.
Release on parole
Fine, minor fine
Detention in a work house
Release on parole
Women’sGuidance Home
Suspension of execution of sentence
with probationary supervision
Protective measures
Not guilty, etc.
Suspension of execution of sentence
Fine, minor fine
Court
Identification
Summary proceedings 34 65
Acts of negligence
causing death or injury93Forcible indecency・Forcible indecency
causing death of injury
161 Stimulant drugs422Fraud159Injury301Road traffic
violations172Theft
1,230
Others810Acts of negligence
causing death or injury326Robbery・causing death
or injury through
robbery556Stimulant drugs
3,886
Road traffic
violations425Fraud
1,248
Injury469Theft
4,755
Others
2,260
■しかくProbationers under Suspended Sentence
■しかくParolees
●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
Total
3,348
Total
13,925
Total
1,427,658
persons
Theft9.0%Road Traffic
Law violations
30.3%
Causing death or
injury through
negligence in
vehicle driving
41.5%
Other offenses8.1%Special law
offenses
38.4%
Penal Code
offenses
61.6%
Other offenses7.7%Suspension of
institution of
prosecution
49.1%
Injury3.5%Insufficient
evidence
for prosecution3.4%Total
1,427,658
persons
Prosecutions
instituted
26.4%
Other decisions
19.5%
Other decisions
12.9%
Other
dispositions1.6%Referrals to
the family court6.5%Non-
prosecution
54.1%
■しかくBy dispositions rendered
■しかくBy type and name of offense01,000
2,000
3,000
4,000
5,000
6,000
7,000
8,000
Penal Code offenses 13,753 Special law offenses 8,113
(persons)
Total 21,866
Homicide214Robbery603Others
1,597
Others975Road
traffic
violations
1,033
Firearmsandswords89Professional
negligenceandnegligenceinvehicle
driving292Theft
7,183
Bodily
injury
1,142
Extortion247Fraud
1,827
Stimulant
drugs
6,016
Rape,
indecent
assault648●くろまるFigure 1 shows the flow of criminal offenses committed by adults.
Flow of Criminal Cases Committed by Adults
■しかく Flow of Criminal Cases Committed by Adults〈Figure 1〉
Enforcement of Proper Criminal Policy4EnforcementofProper
Criminal
Policy431 32
❶Police etc.
When juvenile suspects are arrested by the police the cases are
transferred to public prosecutors, in principle, after investigations
are completed.
❷Public Prosecutors Office
When public prosecutors suspect juveniles of committing
crimes,or have good reasons to leave them to the decision of
the family court on pre-delinquency (a state in which juvenile
delinquents have behavioral problems which may lead to crimes
yet stopping short of committing crimes, but highly necessary to
be taken into custody), the relevant cases will be transferred to the
family court after investigations are completed.
❸Family Court
A family court orders investigators to conduct investigations
on relevant juveniles, including their dispositions and family
backgrounds, and/or send them to a juvenile classification home for
assessment.
❹Juvenile Classification Home
A Juvenile classification home conducts assessments of juveniles
based on expertise in medicine, pedagogy, etc. and submits the
results to a family court.
❺Family Court
When a family court considers that a juvenile has no reason to
undergo adjudication procedures or that it is not suitable to put
him/her through adjudication procedures based on the result of the
investigation of his/her dossier, etc., the court elects dismissal without
hearing. When the court finds it reasonable to take adjudication
procedures, it employs the closed-door process for adjudication.
If deemed unnecessary to place the juvenile in protective custody
as a result of adjudication process based on the above-mentioned
investigations and assessment.
❸ and ❹ respectively, the court declares the juvenile not to be
discharged. However, if deemed reasonable to place him/her in
protective custody, the court decides to place him/her on probation
or send him/her to a juvenile training school.
Meanwhile, if the presence of a public prosecutor is necessary for
the identification of delinquency in a major crime, a public prosecutor
also participates in the hearing under the decision of the family court.
❻, ❼ Sending of Juveniles to Public Prosecutors and Indictment
When a family court finds it reasonable to impose criminal
punishment 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 their
victims intentionally, the cases are sent to public prosecutors, in principle,
and the prosecutors who have accepted the cases must indict them.
❽Juvenile Training School
Juveniles who are sent to a juvenile training school are placed to
either a TYPE-I, TYPE-II or TYPE-III juvenile training school, where
rehabilitation is sought through receiving correctional education and
rehabilitation support, etc.
Juveniles who are handed a family court judgment to be sent
to a juvenile training school are admitted to any of TYPE-I, TYPE-
II or TYPE-III juvenile training schools, where they are supposed to
receive correctional education and rehabilitation support, etc. to
reform themselves.
❾Probation Office
Those who are decided by a family court to be placed on
probation, or those who are provisionally permitted to be released
from a juvenile training school, are to receive guidance and
assistance from probation officers and volunteer probation officers;
they are to pursue rehabilitation and a smooth return to society.
Correctional facilities are supported by community volunteers, such as volunteer visitors and
chaplains.
Volunteer visitors are those who help reformation and rehabilitation as well as smooth re-entry
into society of inmates by means of counseling and guidance sessions, and music instruction, etc.
Chaplains provide religious guidance upon requests from inmates according to their religious
beliefs in order to ensure the freedom of religion.
Community volunteer
Community volunteers supporting correctional facilities
Handling Juvenile Crimes and Delinquencies
■しかく Number of Persons Newly Commencing Probation/Parole According to Types of Delinquency (2014)
■しかく Number of Juveniles Newly Committed to Juvenile Training
Schools According to Delinquent Types (2014)02004006008001,000
Robbery
Theft
Bodily
injury
Extortion
Rape,
indecent
assault
Negligenceinvehicle
driving
OthersRoadtraffic
violations
Stimulant
drugs,
poisonous
agents
Others
Pre-delinquency168957589154 1524942517943 5799Penal Code offenses 2,494 Special law offenses 279
Total 2,872
(persons)
Pre-delinquency 99
●くろまるFigure 2 shows the flow of proceedings for juvenile delinquents.
Imprisonment with or
without work, Penal detention
Admission
Release on expiry
of sentence
Admission
Release on expiry
of full prison sentence
Commitment to a
juvenile training school
Probationary
supervision
Commitment to
facility for development
of self-sustaining capacity
Notification
Referral
Acceptance
Expiration
of sentence
Early discharge Revocation
Probation Office
Juvenile
Classification Home
Release on parole
Release on parole
Juvenile
Training School
Juvenile Prison,etc.District Court,etc.Fine, minor fine
Suspension of execution
of sentence
Suspension of execution
of sentence with
probationary supervision
Not guilty, etc.
Family Court
Referral to
a child guidance center
and others
Referral to a public prosecutor
for the institution of prosecution
Dismissal without hearing
Discharge
Pre-delinquents
Juvenile Children
Offenders
Juvenile
Offenders
Referral to a
public prosecutor
Police, etc.
Investigation
Notification
Citizens, police, etc.
Discovery
Acceptance
Referral to
a family court
Referral to
a family court
Acceptance
Acceptance
Public Prosecutors Office
Child Guidance Center
Case referred to
a public prosecutor
for the institution
of prosecution
Institution of prosecution
after being referred from a family court12356 7489
■しかく Flow of Proceedings for Juvenile Delinquents〈Figure 2〉
Forcible indecency・Forcible indecency
causing death of injury110
■しかくJuvenile Training School Parolees
Robbery・causing death
or injury through
robbery197Injury657Fraud156Road traffic
violations205■しかくJuvenile Probationers
Theft
1,092
Others571●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
Total
3,122
Breaking into
a residence297Acts of negligence
causing death or injury
832 Injury
2,031
Extortion343Road traffic
violations
1,893
Assault390Theft
4,905
Others
2,207
Extortion134Total
12,898
Enforcement of Proper Criminal Policy 4
EnforcementofProper
Criminal
Policy433 34
This is a system designed to give guidance and assistance to
those who have committed crimes or those who have turned to
juvenile delinquency so that they can become sound members of
the society while spending normal social lives; the system is carried
out in cooperation with the nation and volunteers.
The regional parole boards are located in eight regions across the
country corresponding to the jurisdictional areas of the high courts.
The major functions of the boards are to make decisions on parole
of inmates of prisons or juvenile training schools and revocation of
parole when parolees fail to observe the parole conditions.
There are 50 probation offices throughout the country, which are
located in each of the jurisdictional areas of the district courts. Their
major functions are to conduct probationary supervision over those
juveniles placed on probation by decisions of the family courts,
those released on parole from prisons or juvenile training schools
and also those who are on probation with suspension of sentence.
The probation offices are also engaged in activities to promote
community-based campaigns to prevent 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. Having expert
knowledge of psychology, pedagogy or sociology, they engage in
the work of rehabilitating those who have committed crimes or
have turned to juvenile delinquency, by giving them guidance and
assistance in everyday life, in collaboration with volunteer probation
officers. They also take charge of work relating to the prevention of
crime and delinquency and providing support for crime victims.
Volunteer probation officers are private citizens commissioned by
the Minister of Justice with the work of assisting in the rehabilitation of
offenders. There are about 48,000 of these officers across the country.
As they are familiar with the situations 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
context of a normal social life in collaboration with probation officers.
In addition, they are engaged 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 government officers, but they are not paid
salaries, 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 under parole/probationary
supervision or released from prison, offender rehabilitation facilities
accommodate those who have no proper place to live and give them
living guidance and vocational training so that they will be able to
live independently at the earliest possible date. There are 103 such
facilities in the country, mainly operated by juridical persons for
the offender rehabilitation services, which are private foundations
approved by the Minister of Justice to run the services in order to
facilitate the rehabilitation of offenders.
The Women’s Association for Rehabilitation Aid is an organization
composed of female volunteers who cooperate in community
activities from the viewpoint of women for crime prevention and
also for the rehabilitation of those who have committed crimes or
acts of delinquency, with the aim to establish a brighter society free
from crime and delinquency.
There are about 170,000 volunteer members across the
country. They are not only engaged in educational activities for
prevention of crime and delinquency, but also in a wide range of
activities rooted in the community, such as the following: activities
for sound upbringing of youth; child-support activities; rehabilitation
support in offender rehabilitation facilities; cooperation in social
contribution activities of offenders on probation or parole; and visits
to prisons and juvenile training schools to encourage the inmates.
BBS stands for the "Big Brothers and Sisters Movement" organized
by young volunteers who make friends with and give assistance to
delinquents and pre-delinquents to help them attain sound growth. As
if they were their older brothers or sisters, these young volunteers
keep in touch with the juveniles in various situations (called the
"Tomodachi (Friend)-Project") and help them solve their problems
and become self-reliant. In addition, BBS members carry out
activities for crime prevention to strive for the realization of a crime-
free society. About 4,500 members are engaged in the activities.
Offenders Rehabilitation Facilities
Women's Association for Rehabilitation Aid
BBS Association
"Cooperative Employers" are those who willingly offer employment
to offenders despite their past records and cooperate in the
offenders’ rehabilitation. These employers provide stable jobs with
full understanding of the feelings of offenders, which amounts to a
tremendous contribution. There are about 14,000 such employers
across the country who cooperate in this field.
The National Center for Offenders Rehabilitation is established
and operated to provide parolees from penal institutions or juvenile
training schools, etc., who cannot be provided with the necessary
social surroundings for their smooth reintegration into society by
their relatives or private-sector offender rehabilitation facilities,
with lodging at state-established facilities where probation officers
directly provide them with intensive supervision and generous
employment assistance, thereby encouraging their rehabilitation
and preventing them from committing further offenses.
Among these facilities, the organization that performs selective,
specialized treatment in society in accord with the relevant specific
problem is called the "National Center for Offenders Rehabilitation,"
while another organization that provides vocational training
primarily in agriculture is called the "National Center for Offenders
Job Training and Employment Support."
The"National Centers for Offenders Rehabilitation"are established
and operated in Kitakyushu and Fukushima City, while the "National
Centers for Offenders Job Training" are established and operated in
Hokkaido (Numata-cho) and Ibaraki (Hitachinaka City), respectively.
What is the Rehabilitation of Offenders?
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)
Exterior of an Offenders Rehabilitation Facility
The badge is designed by the late Sagenji Yoshida,
Professor Emeritus at the Tokyo University of the
Arts. It consists of 18 chrysanthemum petals with a
sunflower and the rising sun; the circle of its contour
represents harmony among people and the red cloth
represents the hearts and passion of people.
Ensuring that those who have committed a crime are able to
rehabilitate themselves and become law-abiding members of
society is a task that cannot be achieved by the efforts of the
government alone. Activities of offender rehabilitation volunteers,
including the Women’s Association for Rehabilitation Aid, BBS
(Big Brothers and Sisters Movement) Association, and Cooperative
Employers have been of a great help.
Persons interested in participating in such activities please
contact your nearest Parole Office.
Badge of Volunteer
Probation Officers
Why Not Join Offenders Rehabilitation Volunteers?
Cooperative Employers
National Centers for Offenders Rehabilitation
In June 2013, laws were promulgated providing for suspension of part of a criminal’s sentence in the "Act for Partial Revision of the
Penal Code"and the"Act for Partial Suspension of Sentence for Criminals Convicted of Drug Use, Etc."The system enabling suspension
of part of a criminal’s sentence that was adopted under these laws makes it possible for the courts grant a suspension of part of a
sentence in cases where the criminal was given a short sentence of three years or less or a sentence of imprisonment without work, etc.,
by having the criminal serve part of the sentence prison term and then suspending the remainder of the term for more than one year
but less than five years. The aim of the suspension of sentence is to prevent recidivism by the offender and help in their rehabilitation by
enabling a period of treatment in prison, followed by a longer period of treatment in the society.
Under this system, during the period of suspended sentence the offender is put under probation on a discretional basis in the case
of those who have no previous record of sentences heavier than imprisonment without work, and on a mandatory basis in the case of
those convicted and sentence to prison for drug use.
System for Partial Suspension of Sentence
Enforcement of Proper Criminal Policy 4
EnforcementofProper
Criminal
Policy435 36
Recently, I frequently hear about juvenile crimes
on the news. Have you been taking any measures?
Further Improvement of Juvenile Correction
●くろまる
●くろまるStrengthening Correctional Education Based on the
New Juvenile Training Schools Act
In June 2015, the New Juvenile Training Schools Act
was enacted. Under the New Juvenile Training Schools Act
an Individual Plan for Correctional Education is drawn up
and implemented for each individual juvenile in detention
in accordance with their traits and issues, with regard to
their records of drug use and delinquency, family relations
situation, etc., and individual problems. Based on the new Act,
appropriate correctional education is conducted with the aim of
achieving higher levels of recidivism prevention.
●くろまる
●くろまるLegal provisions for Juvenile Training School support for
rehabilitation in society
As a measure for recidivism prevention, it is important to
not only provide a varied program of correctional education
but also to provide support to aid in the delinquent juvenile’s
smooth return to society. The New Juvenile Training Schools
Act includes stipulations make the Juvenile Training Schools
responsible for providing support for juveniles’ rehabilitation
when returning to society. In specific terms, this includes
support in finding work as a specific part of the juvenile’s
life plan after release, conducting the high school education
equivalency examination for juveniles in the Juvenile Training
Schools and providing academic support, etc.
●くろまる
●くろまるPerforming appropriate Classification under the Juvenile
Classification Act
Besides the Juvenile Training School Act, a new Juvenile
Classification Act has also been enacted. This new law makes
it possible for juveniles in detention at Juvenile Training
Schools to spend a certain amount of time at specialized
institutions called Juvenile Classification Homes that specialize
in determining the causes behind the juvenile’s delinquency
and drawing up an individual treatment plan, in order to
enable more detailed classification.AQ
PICK UP!
The Ministry of Justice conducts adequate treatment of inmates
with respect for their human rights based on the "Act on Penal
Detention Facilities and Treatment of Inmates and Detainees" which is
the act enacted under a total revision of the Prison Law. Furthermore,
to support the adequate treatment of inmates, the Ministry is making
every effort to improve facilities and human resources, as well as to
facilitate clerical rationalization and mechanization.
In addition, taking into consideration the experiences of foreign
countries, the Ministry of Justice manages some penal institutions
through joint operation between the public and private sectors
using the PFI (Private Finance Initiative), which utilizes private
capital, ingenuity and know-how. In those penal institutions, the
Ministry is trying to enrich and develop correctional treatment by
incorporating programs such as the Training Program for Guide Dog
Puppies for the Blind, which has never been realized in prisons, in
cooperation with the Japan Guide Dog Association (a public interest
incorporated foundation).
The Ministry of Justice will tackle the issue of smooth
implementation of the Act on Penal Detention Facilities and
Treatment of Inmates and Detainees for the prevention of re-
offending with persistent efforts to contribute to the realization of a
safe society where the people can live with peace of mind.
Juvenile classification homes are working to enhance their ability
of assessment on juveniles for recidivism prevention by developing
and introducing a new assessment method, "Ministry of Justice
Case Assessment Tool (MJCA)" in order to grasp the possibility of
recidivism and educational needs of each juvenile.
The homes are also working to enhance the treatment for
recidivism prevention by conducting assessment of juveniles under
protective measures in response to requests from juvenile training
schools, probation offices, etc.
Furthermore, the home provides counseling and consultation
services to juveniles and their families on various youth problems
(delinquency, misbehavior, family upbringing problems, troubles in
a workplace or at school, problems with friends, etc.). Moreover, the
staff of the home provides explanation about various topics such as
delinquency, child-rearing, or educational and instructional methods
for youth at workshops or lectures held at schools or youth related
organizations.
If you are seeking help, please feel free to contact the nearby
juvenile classification home.
Improvement and Enhancement of Treatment in Correctional Facilities
Stable Securing of Volunteer Probation Officers
Measures Implemented Under the Medical Care and Treatment System for
Persons Who Have Caused Serious Incidents on the Grounds of Insanity, etc.▶▶ Smooth Enforcement of Act on Penal Detention Facilities and
Treatment of Inmates and Detainees▶▶ Current Situation of the Volunteer Probation
Officer System▶▶ Enhancement of Assessments of Juveniles and Community
Support Activities by Juvenile Classification Homes
Volunteer probation officers are volunteers who support
rehabilitation of offenders in the community and who play the
most important role in the Japanese offender rehabilitation system.
Reflecting the growing awareness towards preventing recidivism
of recent years, citizen’s expectations for and interest in volunteer
probation officers are increasing more than ever. On the other
hand, there has been a trend toward a decrease in the number of
volunteer probation officers (although the number increased from
2015 to 2016), partly due to the influence of societal changes such
as weakening of human relationships in the community. Securing
the necessary number of volunteer probation officers is a major
challenge for maintaining the system.
In light of these circumstances, the "Study Group on Improving
the Volunteer Probation Officer System" was launched in March
2011, with the goal of reinforcing the system of volunteer probation
officers that would lead to sustainability for the future. The study
group consisted of volunteer probation officers and academic experts.
After a year of a wide range of discussions, the group submitted a
report in March 2012 summarizing the outcome of their discussions
to the Rehabilitation Bureau of the Ministry of Justice. The report
contains specific recommendations on how the volunteer probation
officer system should be improved, from the following wide-ranging
perspectives: (1) securing of candidates to become volunteer
probation officers and fostering of volunteer probation officers; (2)
improvement of the activity environment of volunteer probation
officers corresponding to the changes in society; (3) strengthening
collaboration with the community; (4) active roles for volunteer
probation officer organizations; and (5) reconstruction of the
offender rehabilitation system in disaster-affected areas of the Great
East Japan Earthquake.
The Ministry of Justice has taken the above-mentioned
recommendations of the study group as earnest voices from volunteer
probation officers and therefore strives to put their recommendations
into practice.
For example, in FY 2012, the Ministry has started to administer
a compensation system for property damage suffered by volunteer
probation officers in the performance of their duties. In FY 2013,
budget has been established to enable all local volunteer probation
officers associations to hold "Volunteer Probation Officer Candidate
Information Meetings" to secure appropriate candidates to become
volunteer probation officers from a broader cross-section of the
population. There are a total of 446 "Offenders Rehabilitation Support
Centers" nationwide as of FY2015; the centers are the base of activities
for volunteer probation officers and will be improved for the future.
Moreover, the Ministry of Justice is making further efforts to
reduce the burdens of volunteer probation officers’ activities; widely
disseminate awareness of the importance of volunteer probation
officers’ activities in order to uphold their motivation to fulfill their
duties; and to gain the understanding and cooperation of local residents
and the relevant authorities and organizations.
The volunteer probation officer organizations and the national
government will work together towards the stable securement of
volunteer probation officers, so that Japan can sustain its world-class
volunteer probation system in the future.
■しかく Changes in the Number of Volunteer Probation Officers (2009-2016)
47,000
47,500
48,000
48,500
49,000200948,936
48,851
48,664
48,221
47,990
47,914 47,872
2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015
(persons)
47,9392016▶▶ Efforts of the Ministry of Justice
The Ministry of Justice has been strengthening efforts toward
the prevention of repeat offenses by changing laws.
The Medical Care and Treatment System for Persons Who Have
Caused Serious Incidents on the Grounds of Insanity, etc. is a system
designed to place the insanity, etc., who have committed murder,
arson or the like under proper medical care and required surveillance,
instruction to prevent them from committing such acts again and help
them return to society.
The Probation Offices have specialized staff members with
qualifications as psychiatric social workers, etc., known as"Rehabilitation
Coordinators" who work in collaboration with medical institutions
designated by the Minister of Health, Labor and Welfare and related
local institutions to promote return to society of such individuals, etc.
Enforcement of Proper Criminal Policy 4
EnforcementofProper
Criminal
Policy437 38
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 inspections
or procedures?
Measures for Smooth and Proper Immigration InspectionsQIn recent years, there has been a significant
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. Under such circumstances, the
Ministry of Justice has been working to implement measures
included in the "2015 Action Program for the Realization of
a Tourism-Oriented Country" and the "Japan Revitalization
Strategy (Revised in 2015)" approved in June 2015. In the
future, it is important for us to proactively work on prompt
implementation of the various measures aimed at realizing
a tourism-oriented country and to proceed with efforts to
prevent the entry of terrorists, foreign
nationals who intend to stay illegally in
Japan and other such suspect persons
at the ports of entry in order to protect
the security of Japan and the safety of
the people.AStrict immigration inspections are being implemented for those
foreign nationals with such motives as working illegally in Japan
while various measures are also being taken to implement smooth
immigration inspections for trouble-free foreign nationals in order
to contribute to the realization of a tourism-oriented country.
In order to be able to facilitate the examinations, efforts have
been made to reduce the waiting time for the inspections by
assigning "booth concierges" to the inspection areas in the airports,
and to promote the use of the automated gates by installing
additional automated gates and by sending immigration officers
out to the prefectural passport offices to provide on-site "mobile
registration for use of the automated gates."
In addition, the range of users of the automated gates is due to
be expanded (to enter into effect in 2016) so as to include those
foreign nationals designated "trusted travelers" who are deemed
to be low risk in terms of immigration control and who frequently
enter Japan.
Moreover, consideration is being given to the implementation of
automated gates, which use facial recognition technology, in order to
streamline the departure and return processes for Japanese nationals.
In addition, the immigration examination procedures for the
increasing number of foreign passengers onboard cruise ships are
being streamlined, such as through the introduction of a system of
"Landing Permission for Cruise Ship Tourists" (entered into effect
on January 1, 2015), which allows foreign passengers of cruise ships
designated by the Minister of Justice to land through simplified
procedures.▶▶ Principal Measures
Photo of immigration inspections onboard a cruise ship
Registration for use of the automated gates
On the basis of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition
Act (hereinafter referred to as" the Immigration Control Act"), etc.,
the Immigration Bureau provides for equitable control over the
entry into or departure from Japan of all persons.
Foreign nationals who intend to enter Japan are required to
provide personal identification information (fingerprints and
facial photographs), except for those who are exempt from this
requirement, and must be interviewed by an immigration inspector.
The immigration inspector conducts an inspection to check whether
the foreign national meets the conditions for entry (disembarkation),
such as whether the passport and visa held by the foreign national
are valid, whether his/her 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 that these
conditions 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 inspector.
Immigration inspectors also confirm the fact of departure and return
of Japanese nationals.
An Automated Gate (Haneda Airport)
Do you know about the "automated gates" that enable you to go through
immigration inspection procedures speedily when you go on an overseas
business or sightseeing trip? The automated gate system allows users to
go through inspection procedures automatically by identifying them by
their passports and fingerprints. If you complete the user registration for
automated gates before departure, you can go through departure and entry
(disembarkation) inspection procedures smoothly using an automated gate
even when the inspection area is crowded with people.
For further details, please check the Ministry of Justice website.
▲さんかく
http://www.moj.go.jp/nyuukokukanri/kouhou/nyuukokukanri01_00111.html
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 residence, extend the period of
stay, or obtain permission to engage in activities other than those
permitted under the status of residence previously granted or re-
entry permission, they need to take necessary procedures at the
Immigration Bureau. In granting permission for the activities of
foreign nationals in Japan, the Immigration Bureau strives to ensure
the proper residency management of foreign nationals while paying
due consideration to the interests of the Japanese people and to the
security of Japan.
In addition, from July 2012, a residency management system for
mid to long term residents was introduced, under which foreign
nationals who are residing in Japan for a mid to long term period
are issued with a residence card at the time of receiving permission
relating to residence, such as landing permission, permission to
change the status of residence 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, with the introduction of this residency management
system, the previous alien registration system was abolished. For
further details, please check the Immigration Bureau website.
Immigration Control for Japanese and Foreign Nationals▶▶ Residency Management of Foreign Nationals▶▶ Deportation▶▶ Departure and Disembarkation (Returning) Inspections
Airports with Automated Gates
Narita Airport, Haneda Airport,
Chubu Airport and Kansai Airport
User registration is available at the above four
airports, as well as at Tokyo Regional Immigration
Bureau, Nagoya Regional Immigration Bureau
and Osaka Regional Immigration Bureau.
Speedy Immigration Examination! The "Automated Gate"- Convenient for Overseas Business or Sightseeing Trips
Some of the foreign nationals residing in Japan include those
who are considered undesirable by Japanese society, such as those
who have illegally entered or disembarked in the country, those
who have obtained entry permission but are illegally staying after
the expiration of the 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 investigation, 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 Control
Act but who satisfy certain requirements may leave the country
through simple procedures under the "departure order system."
▲さんかくFor information about the residency management
system please refer to the Ministry of Justice
Immigration Bureau webpage
http://www.immi-moj.go.jp/newimmiact_1/
index.html
Immigration Control (Immigration Bureau of Japan)5Immigration
Control539 40
Japan has signed the Convention Relating to the Status of
Refugees and the Protocol Relating to the Status of Refugees, and
these arrangements became effective on January 1, 1982. Various
protection measures, which were stipulated in the convention and
protocol, were granted to refugees.
The Immigration Bureau handles administrative work concerning
entry (disembarkation) permission for temporary asylum, refugee
status and the issuance of refugee travel documents.
Recognition of Refugees
■しかく
■しかくChanges in the Number of Foreign Nationals Entering Japan and Japanese Nationals Departing from Japan04002006008001,000
1,200
1,400
1,600
1,800
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
(Ten thousand
persons)
Japanese nationals leaving Japan
foreign nationals entering Japan
10,997,431
4,948,366
15,298,125 17,818,590
13,296,330
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
16,903,388
14,150,185
9,443,696
7,135,407
2012 2013 2014
18,490,65711,255,221
9,172,146
■しかく
■しかく Number of Foreign Residents by Nationality/Region (as of the end of Dec. 2014) ■しかく
■しかく Changes in the Number of Foreign Residents (as of the end of each year)
(Note 1) The percentages (%) shown do not necessarily add up to
exactly 100%, since the second digit after the decimal point
has been rounded off and the numbers are only shown up to
the first digit after the decimal point.
(Note 2) The number given for China is the number of Chinese nationals
excluding those in possession of a residence card or a special
permanent resident certificate with"Taiwan"listed in the
"nationality/region"box.China
654,777
30.9%
Korea
501,230
23.6%
Philippines
217,585
10.3%
Brazil
175,4108.3%Vietnam
99,8654.7%Others
472,964
22.3%
Total
2,121,831
(1.59%)
(1.62%)
(1.07%)
(1.32%)
(1.56%)
(1.62%)
(1.67%)
(1.66%)
(1.60%)
(1.63%)0500000
1000000
1500000
2000000
(persons)
2012 2013 2014
1996 2001 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
(Note 1) The parentheses ( ) show the percentages of foreign
residents with respect to the Japanese population.
(Note 2) The numbers of foreign residents up until 2011 represent
the number of registered foreign nationals, and from 2012
onwards, the numbers of foreign residents represent the
number of mid to long-term residents together with the
number of special permanent residents.
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
Point-Based Preferential Immigration Treatment for Highly Skilled Foreign Professionals
In order to promote entry of highly skilled foreign professionals, a
point-based system that provides highly skilled foreign professionals
with preferential immigration treatment was introduced on May 7,
2012.
The activities of highly skilled foreign professionals are classified
into three categories: advanced academic research activities,
advanced specialized/technical activities and advanced business
management activities. According to the characteristic features
of each category, points are set for each item, such as academic
background, professional career, annual salary, research performance,
and the like. If the total points reach 70, the foreign nationals will be
recognized as a Highly Skilled Foreign Professional.
The following preferential immigration treatment is to be 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 who had been
residing in Japan with the status of residence of "Highly Skilled
Professional (i)" for a period of three years or more and have
transferred to the status of residence of Highly Skilled Professional
(ii) is for an indefinite period, and the foreign national is able
not only to engage in the activities of (i) but also in almost all
the activities permitted to statuses of residence with the purpose
of employment. Moreover, they are eligible for the preferential
treatment listed in the above-mentioned 3 to 6.▶▶ Objectives and Outline of the System▶▶ Details of the Preferential Treatment⿟⿟Advanced academic research
activities
Activities like engaging in
research, research guidance or
education based on a contract
entered into with a public or
private organization in Japan⿟⿟Advanced specialized/technical activities
Activities like engaging in work
requiring specialized knowledge or
skills in the fields of natural sciences
or humanities based on a contract
entered into with a public or private
organization in Japan⿟⿟Advanced business management
activities
Activities like engaging
in the operation or man-
agement of trade or oth-
er business activities of a
public or private business
organization in Japan
The three categories of activities conducted by highly skilled foreign professionals
❶ Permission for Multiple Activities During the Stay in Japan
Usually, a foreign national is only allowed to
engage in the activities permitted under a single
status of residence. However, a highly skilled foreign
professional may engage in activities covered by
multiple statuses of residence, such as simultaneously
engaging in research activities at a university and in
the management of a business organization related
thereto.
❷ Granting of a 5-Year Period of Stay
The legally permitted maximum period of stay (5
years) is granted uniformly to highly skilled foreign
professionals.
❸ Relaxation of Requirements for Granting of Permission for
Permanent Residence Status in Japan
In principle, a foreign national needs to stay in Japan
for more than 10 consecutive years in order to obtain
permission for permanent residence. However, foreign
nationals who have engaged in activities as highly
skilled foreign professionals for approximately 5
years are eligible to obtain permission for permanent
residence.
❹ Permission for the Spouse of the Highly-Skilled Foreign
Professional to Work
Usually, when a foreign national intends to
engage in activities covered by a status of residence
for work, such as Instructor or Engineer/Specialist
in Humanities/International Services, he/she must
satisfy certain requirements with regard to academic
background, work experience and the like, as well as
obtaining the relevant status of residence. However, a spouse of a highly
skilled foreign professional may engage in these activities even if he/she
does not have the required academic background or work experience,etc.❺ Permission for Bringing Parent(s) to Accompany a Highly-Skilled
Foreign Professional to Japan
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
parent(s) of a highly skilled foreign professional or
his/her spouse is allowed to enter and stay in Japan
subject to the conditions detailed below: (i) where the parent(s) will
take care of a child younger than 7 years of age of the highly skilled
foreign professional or his/her spouse; or (ii) where the parent(s)
will take care of a pregnant highly skilled foreign professional or a
pregnant spouse of a highly skilled foreign professional.
❻ Permission for Domestic Workers to Accompany the Highly
Skilled Foreign Professional to Japan
Only those foreign nationals who stay in Japan
under statuses of residence such as Business Manager,
etc., may employ foreign domestic workers. However,
a highly skilled foreign professional may bring foreign
domestic worker(s) to Japan subject to certain
conditions.
❼ Preferential Processing of Entry and Residence Procedures
The entry and residence inspections for highly
skilled foreign professionals will be swiftly
processed through preferential treatment.
Immigration Control 5
Immigration
Control541 42
How does the MOJ provide assistance to people
in other countries?
Promotion of Global Cooperation
The Ministry of Justice has been contributing to the development
of criminal justice policies and the capacity building of criminal
justice practitioners in developing countries, 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), which is operated under the joint auspices of
the Japanese government and the United Nations.
Moreover, the Ministry has provided legal technical assistance
to Asian countries such as Vietnam, Cambodia, etc., mainly
through activities of the International Cooperation Department
in cooperation with institutions concerned. The department has
provided assistance with a focus on the drafting and amending of
fundamental legal codes, as well as the establishment of systems
and institutions necessary for the operation of law and developing
the capabilities of legal practitioners.
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
technical assistance for developing judicial systems and basic laws
and training for legal professionals.
The government of Japan also recognized the importance of legal
technical assistance and the need for its strategic implementation,
and as a consequence, the "Basic Policies on Legal Technical
Assistance" (April 2009) was formulated. In May 2013, these
policies were revised to set the additional objective of establishing
favorable investment conditions for Japanese businesses abroad,
while emphasizing the conventional strategy of strengthening
the "all-Japan" support system based on cooperation between the
government and private sector. Furthermore, "The Development
Cooperation Charter" established by the Cabinet 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 Cooperation Department, the Charter
attaches priority to assistance that promotes the rule of law as the
basis for stable economic and social activities.
Taking into account the potential number of requests from
developing 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
enhance its international cooperation activities in collaboration
with the relevant organizations in order to help establish good
governance based on the rule of law, especially in Asia.QWe have been supporting developing countries
in Asia and other parts of the world by providing
assistance to improve their legal systems so that the
people in those countries can live with a feeling of assurance.
The Research and Training Institute of the Ministry of
Justice conducts various international cooperation activities,
including the provision of legal technical assistance, to help
establish and strengthen good governance based on the rule
of law in developing countries. These activities contribute
significantly not only to the sound progress in developing
countries and regional stability but also to the strengthening
of measures against international crime and the promotion
of economic activity in those countries.
Through these activities, Japan plays
a cooperative role in the international
community.AThe Ninth Regional Seminar on Good Governance for Southeast Asian Countries Local Seminar in Laos (at the Ministry of Justice of Laos)
I have heard that a litigation bureau has been set up.
What does the bureau do in the first place?
Litigation
Lawsuits in which the national government is the party include
an action for state compensation on the grounds of illegal activities
of government employees who exercise public power or defects
in installation and maintenance of public structures, civil lawsuits
regarding management of government property, and administrative
lawsuits to seek nullification or reversal of administrative punishment.
The Ministry of Justice properly handles those lawsuits in cooperation
with ministries and agencies that govern administrative work for
lawsuits.
Among the lawsuits, there are many serious cases that may
affect the basis of politics, diplomacy, public administration, and
economics in the country and cases that may raise new social or
legal questions.
Complex and difficult cases have been submitted throughout
the country. In particular, large-scale class action lawsuits, lawsuits
concerning state compensations associated with the accidents of
nuclear power plants; lawsuits concerning medicine and public
health; environmental hygiene lawsuits concerning pollution;
lawsuits that seek nullification of permission or punishment in
relation to the operation of airports, dams, roads, nuclear power
plants and related facilities or seek an injunction against their
operation; and lawsuits that demand compensation for damage
caused during World War II, all of which have attracted remarkable
attention from the society.
To properly make a claim and bear testimony in such lawsuits
from the standpoint of the national government contributes to the
realization of proper settlement based on the law and evidence. By
making contributions toward this end, the maintenance of a suitable
balance between the interests of the entire nation and the rights
and interests of individuals is ensured and administrative principles
are expected to be followed based on the law. The Ministry of
Justice is striving for appropriate and prompt pursuit of lawsuits in
order to meet people’s expectations and demands for justice as an
organization that plays a role in the judicial process.
Also, the litigation bureau is responsible for contributing to
the appropriate settlement of legal matters, as well as preventing
disputes by stating appropriate legal opinions from the perspective
of the country as a whole.QLitigation is the process of filing a motion with the
court, making a claim, and/or bearing testimony on
behalf of the national government. In litigation, the
national government is the party (as plaintiff or defendant).
The Ministry of Justice uniformly and
appropriately handles the administrative
work for these types of lawsuits.A■しかく
■しかくTransition of the Number of Main Lawsuits(2006-2015)05,000
10,000
15,000
20,000
Number of
adjudicated cases
Number of cases
pending in court
Number of cases
newly received20068,421
8,814
11,65320078,431
8,838
11,26020088,507
10,853
9,14820098,514
10,212
8,35320108,572
10,373
9,00320129,214
10,094
8,951201510,989201310,357
9,448
9,29820149,448
10,507
8,96620118,557
9,942
8,405
"The number of pending cases"shall be the number of cases that have been pending from the previous years. (On January 1 each year)
▲さんかく
Summaries of the Major Pending Lawsuits
http://www.moj.go.jp/shoumu/shoumukouhou/
shoumu01_00024.html
▲さんかく
The List of the Major Judgments
http://www.moj.go.jp/shoumu/shoumukouhou/
shoumu01_00023.html
▲さんかく
The Database for Important Litigation Precedents
(This system enables searches and browsing of precedents contained
in the "Monthly Litigations," which is the information publication of the
Litigation Bureau)
http://www.shoumudatabase.moj.go.jp/search/
html/shoumu/general/menu_general.html
The Litigation Bureau posts information about lawsuits of the national government on the Internet and publishes summaries
of the major pending lawsuits, major judgments, and so on.
Global Cooperation6Uniform and Proper Handling of Suits
Relating to the Interests of the State and the Like7UniformandProper
HandlingofSuits
Relatingtothe
Interestsofthe
StateandtheLikeGlobal
Cooperation76
43 44
The national bar examination is designed to judge whether those
who wish to become judges, public prosecutors or attorneys-at-law
have the necessary knowledge and application abilities. In 2006,
the national bar examination was replaced by the new national bar
examination that is linked with the education provided in law school
and training of legal apprentices.
The national bar examination can be taken by those who have
completed law schools or passed the preliminary bar examination.
However, a time limit is set for taking the examination; the
candidates are expected to take the examination within a five-year
period beginning on April 1 after being qualified.
The examination consists of a short-answer test (including
multiple-choice questions) and an essay test. All candidates take
both tests concurrently.
The successful candidates will be qualified to enter the legal
profession as judges, prosecutors and attorneys-at-law after being
trained in the legal training center of the Supreme Court. (For details
on the training, please contact the Recruitment Division, Personnel
Affairs Bureau, Supreme Court.)
The purpose of the preliminary bar examination is to judge
whether a person who intends to take the national bar examination
has enough knowledge, the ability to utilize such knowledge, and a
basic grounding in legal practices equal to those who have completed
a course at a law school. The preliminary bar examination consists of
a short-answer test (including multiple-choice questions), an essay
test, and an oral test. There are no qualification requirements for
applicants.
A judicial scrivener represents a client and engages in the
business involved in the various procedures for registration
(commercial or real estate registration) or deposition, and on
receiving authorization from the Minister of Justice, also represents
a client in trials in summary court. Meanwhile, a land and house
investigator takes charge of the business involved in investigation,
surveying, and application procedures needed for registration of real
estate, among other things.
The examinations are national examinations, and they determine
whether candidates have the necessary knowledge and ability to
enter into these professions. These exams are administered under
the authority of the Minister of Justice. Both examinations consist
of written and oral tests, and those who pass the written test are
entitled to take the oral test. On passing the oral test, they are
deemed to have been qualified. The successful candidates are able
to enter into the respective services after registration and admission
procedures.
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
Qualification Examinations
National Bar Examination
Preliminary Bar Examination
Examinations to Become Judicial Scriveners or Land and House Investigators
■しかく
■しかくResults of the National Bar Examination
Year Candidates
Successful
candidates
Average age
of successful
candidates
Successful
percentage
2011 8,765 2,063(478) 28.5 23.54%
2012 8,387 2,102(545) 28.5 25.06%
2013 7,653 2,049(477) 28.4 26.77%
2014 8,015 1,810(408) 28.2 22.58%
2015 8,016 1,850(399) 29.1 23.08%
Figures in parentheses show the number of women out of the total on the left.
■しかく
■しかくResults of the Preliminary Bar Examination
Year Candidates
Successful
candidates
2011 6,477 116(13)
2012 7,183 219(22)
2013 9,224 351(44)
2014 10,347 356(37)
2015 10,334 394(40)
Figures in parentheses show the number of women out of the total on the left.
■しかく
■しかくResults of the National Examination for Judicial Scriveners
Judicial Scrivener
Examination candidates
Successful candidates
2011 31,228 879
2012 29,379 838
2013 27,400 796
2014 24,538 759
2015 21,754 707
■しかく
■しかく Results of the National Examination for Land and House Investigators
Land and House Investigator
Examination candidates
Successful candidates
2011 6,310 390
2012 6,136 418
2013 6,017 412
2014 5,754 407
2015 5,659 403
Employment Examination for the Ministry of Justice Specialized Staff(Human Sciences)
Contact: Personnel Division, Minister's Secretariat, Ministry of Justice
Those who are employed from the category of public administration,
politics/international matters, law, economics, engineering and culture
are generally assigned to various departments of the Ministry and
engage in planning measures and policies. Those employed from the
human sciences category are assigned to local offices to make the most
of their specialized knowledge.
Contact: General Affairs Section, Facilities Division, Minister's Secretariat
(architecture, electrical engineering and mechanical engineering) / Local
offices which intend to employ officials (public administration)
Aside from those who are employed by the Facilities Division,
Minister’s Secretariat (architecture, electrical engineering and mechanical
engineering), those who are employed from the public administration
category are generally assigned to the local offices outside the Ministry.
Contact: Personnel Section, Regional Correction Headquarters
Correctional psychologists work mainly at juvenile classification homes or penal institutions as professional
staff (MOJ technical official (psychology)) making use of their specialized knowledge and skills. They provide
guidelines for treatment of detained juveniles etc. based on the analysis of the causes of delinquency or
criminal acts through interviews and psychological tests, and carry out improvement guidance programs in
penal institutions.
Contact: Personnel Section, Regional Correction Headquarters
Ministry of Justice instructors work mainly at juvenile training
schools or juvenile classification homes to develop the individuality and
abilities of juveniles and to ensure their smooth return to society based
on the instructors’ broad range of vision and expertise. To that end,
they provide specialized education (correctional education), including
lifestyle guidance and course education, and also conduct behavior
observations. At prisons, the instructors are engaged in employment
support instruction, course instruction, and so on.
Ministry of Justice Instructor Probation Officers
Correctional Psychology Profession
Contact: General Affairs Divisions of Regional Parole Boards
Probation officers work at probation offices and regional
parole boards with the aim of preventing criminals and juvenile
delinquents from repeating offenses; they also provide support on
social rehabilitation. Specifically, they provide criminals and juvenile
delinquents with instruction through interviews and treatment
programs as well as job assistance, etc., based on expert knowledge
about psychology, pedagogy, welfare and sociology.
Contact: General Affairs Division of the Regional Immigration
Bureaus (Staff Division in the case of Tokyo Regional Immigration Bureau)
Immigration Detention Centers
Immigration control officers are assigned
to regional immigration bureaus, offices or
branch offices, or to immigration detention
centers. They perform tasks related to the
detection of illegal immigrants or over-stayers,
investigation of violations and treatment and
deportation of detainees.
Contact: Personnel Section,
Regional Correction Headquarters
Prison officers are, in principle, assigned to
prisons, juvenile prisons or detention houses.
In prisons and juvenile prisons, the officers
engage in various treatment programs for
inmates to facilitate their rehabilitation and
smooth resocialization.
The detention houses mainly confine those
who are suspects or defendants in custody; meanwhile the officers
prevent them from fleeing or attempting destruction of evidence as
well as giving consideration to ensure fair trial.
Examination for Comprehensive Service
Immigration Control Officers Employment Examination Prison Officers Employment Examination
Employment Examination for Services
The Ministry of Justice employs officials from among those who have passed the Examination for Comprehensive Service, Examination for
General Service, the Employment Examination for the Ministry of Justice Specialized Staff (Human Sciences), Prison Officers’ Employment
Examination and Immigration Control Officers’ Employment Examination.
Examination for General Service
(college graduates and high school graduates)
Qualifications and Employment
QualificationsandEmployment
45 46
In the Museum-Message Gallery
Dining room of the old Justice Minister's official residence
G. Boissonade, a French jurist, and a
draft of the old Japanese Penal Code
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 used as 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. It exhibits various historical
materials and data on the "modernization of the
judiciary" and "architectural modernization" as well
as information on promotion and publicity for the
new justice system.
Modernization of the Judiciary
The Museum exhibits materials concern-
ing the activities of the old Ministry of Jus-
tice including basic legislation that required
urgent enactment in the first half of the
Meiji era, such as the laws concerning the
organization of the judiciary and criminal
laws, as well as records related to the service
rendered by the foreign jurists invited to
Japan. In addition, the Museum displays the
historical records of some sensational cases
in the Meiji era as well as those related to
the administration of justice.
Architectural Modernization
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. The
Museum exhibits materials concerning the
establishment of the building, which has
now been designated as a cultural asset
symbolizing the modernization of the
Japanese architectural techniques, and also
the project of remodeling and restoration
to its old, original appearance.
German architects
Left : W. Böckmann
Right : H. Ende
Birth of the Red-Brick Building and Architectural Techniques
Imperial
Palace
Hibiya Park
Kasumigaseki Sta. Sakuradamon Sta.
SakuradamonGateMoatMoatMoatUchiboriStr.WestGate[Ministry of Justice]
Ministry of
Justice Museum(3F)Leads to the Diet
Central Government
Office No.6-A
Ministry of Justice’sRed-Brick Building
Leads to Mita Line, Hibiya Line,
JR Yurakucho Sta.
Location
Ministry of Justice Red-Brick Building,
1-1-1 Kasumigaseki, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
A c c e s s
●くろまる
●くろまる 10-minute walk from JR Yurakucho Station
(Yamanote Line/Keihin-Tohoku Line)
●くろまる
●くろまる 1-minute walk from Tokyo Metro
(Yurakucho Line) Sakuradamon Station
●くろまる
●くろまる 3-minute walk from Tokyo Metro
(Marunouchi Line/Hibiya Line) Kasumigaseki Station
●くろまる
●くろまる 5-minute walk from Tokyo Metro
(Chiyoda Line) Kasumigaseki Station
●くろまる
●くろまる 6-minute walk from Toei Subway
(Mita Line) Hibiya Station
O p e n
From Monday to Friday/Free admission
(Closed on Saturdays, Sundays, national holidays, the
year-end and New Year holidays)
O p e n
h o u r s
From 10:00 a.m. through 6:00 p.m.
(No admission after 5:30 p.m.)
Reservations
Please make a reservation by phone or the Internet when
arriving in a group of ten or more. Reservations will be accepted
three months in advance. For reservations, please inform us of
the name of your group (or the name of the representative),
the time of your arrival, and the number of visitors.
■しかく Ministry of Justice MuseumTel:03-3592-7911
E-mail: renga1@moj.go.jp
■しかく Ministry of Justice Website "Welcome to the Ministry of
Justice Museum-Message Gallery" (Japanese-only)
http://www.moj.go. jp/
housei/tosho-tenji/housei06_00004.html
The Message Gallery corner displays materials concerning
major public relations themes to promote national understanding
of the judicial system, the administration of the Ministry of
Justice, etc. At present, materials relating to the Saiban-in (Lay
Judge) System and the Japan Legal Support Center (Houterasu)
are exhibited as topics concerning the new judicial system.
ACTION !
Materials related to the
Saiban-in (lay judge) system
and the Houterasu center
are also on display
Ministry of Justice Museum-
Message Gallery
Visit
Making the
Ministry of JusticeMoreFamiliar
Making the
Ministry of JusticeMoreFamiliar
MakingtheMinistryofJusticeMoreFamiliar
47 48
The Ministry of Justice provides tours on requests from students like you
so that you can deepen your understanding of the role of the Ministry.
The officials will explain what the Ministry does as well as answer your
questions. Also, we will take photos at a square called Sunken Square.
You can also take a look around the Ministry of Justice Museum-Message
Gallery, which is located inside the red-brick building.
The Ministry of Justice holds events for
elementary and junior high school students
during summer vacation for the purpose of
deepening young people’s understanding of the
Ministry. In 2015, public prosecutors performed
mock trial suspect questioning sessions, a
program was held in collaboration with the
NHK television program "Knock out Bullying,"
juvenile detention home employees performed
a computerized personality analysis test, and a
class conducted by a civil rights officer was held
to teach students about human rights.
Tour of Kasumigaseki for Children
JAPAN LAW DAY FESTA
-Feel Law Close to You-
To coincide with Law Day (Oct. 1), a day
officially designated as a time for citizens to
think about the role and importance of law,
events are held each year on the first Saturday
of October. In 2015, a "Law Education in
Red-Brick Building" event was held in which
participants teamed with legal professionals
to stage mock trials or experience the
educational programs conducted at juvenile
detention homes, and among other events
were ones for elementary school students
where law instructors taught students about
the importance of rules.
Ministry of Justice
website
Let’s Visit the Ministry of
Justice! "Kids Room"
Please check the latest information about the events on the Ministry of Justice website.
The red-brick building seen from the Sunken Plaza
Photo of an official explaining the duties of the Ministry in the briefing room
Photo of the "Mock Trial with
Legal Professionals!"
Host: Ministry of Justice/Supreme Public Prosecutors Office
A human rights class
Let’s Participate in these Events
A Field Trip to the Ministry of Justice
■しかく Public Information Office, Ministry of Justice
(Secretarial Division, Minister’s Secretariat)TEL:03-3580-4111
(2053)
Contact information for tours and events of the Ministry of Justice
Knock out Bullying
A mock trial suspect questioning session
●くろまる
●くろまる Constitution Week
●くろまる
●くろまる Illegal Work Prevention Campaign
●くろまる
●くろまる Human Rights Volunteers’ Day
●くろまる
●くろまる Nationwide Children's Rights Hotline Promotion Week
●くろまる
●くろまる Nationwide Promotion Week for
Counseling on the Human Rights
of the Elderly and the Disabled
●くろまる
●くろまる Japan Law Day
●くろまる
●くろまる Notarization Week
●くろまる
●くろまる Nationwide Legal Affairs Bureau
Holiday Counseling
●くろまる
●くろまる Nationwide Women's Rights
Hotline Promotion Week
●くろまる
●くろまる Human Rights Week
●くろまる
●くろまる The North Korea Human
Rights Abuses
Awareness Week
●くろまる
●くろまる The Brighter Society Campaign➡ 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.
Sponsored by the Ministry of Justice and The National Federation of
Associations of Human Rights VolunteersJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec➡ CONSTITUTION WEEK (May 1-7)
Every year, one week from May 1 to 7 around"Constitu-
tion Day" on May 3 is designated as "Constitution Week".
During this Week, various programs and events are con-
ducted on a nationwide scale designed to spread knowl-
edge and public understanding about the spirit of the
Constitution, the functions of the justice system and other
related matters. Constitution Week is conducted under the
joint auspices of the Ministry of Justice, the Supreme Court
and the Japan Federation of Bar Associations.➡ 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 special human rights
consultation booths and conducting activities
for human rights awareness-raising.➡ 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 the prevention of crime and delinquency and
rehabilitation of offenders so as to combine the efforts of people in their
respective positions in the community to build a brighter society that is
free from crime and delinquency.
The highlights of the campaign are
a variety of activities rooted in local
communities that are held around
the month of July each year across the
country. And these activities call for
cooperation in and understanding of
the rehabilitation of offenders.➡ NOTARIZATION WEEK October 1-7
Every year, one week from October 1 through 7 is designated as
Notarization Week, and in order to publicize the notary system, public
information activities through the media such as newspapers and TV,
display of posters, distribution of leaflets, holding of lecture meetings and
consultation services are extensively carried out in all parts of the country.
Sponsored by the Ministry of Justice and Japan National Notaries Association➡ JAPAN LAW DAY WEEK October 1-7
"Japan Law Day" originates from "Judicial Memorial Day (Shiho-kinenbi)" which was
inaugurated 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 decided to designate the 1st of
October every year as"Law Day".
Every year, the week starting on October 1, Japan Law Day, is designated as "Japan Law
Day" Week. During the Week, various programs such as lectures, free legal counseling
services and other related programs are organized all across the country in order to promote
respect for law, protection of fundamental human rights and establishment of an orderly
society through the rule of law. Japan Law Day Week is conducted under the joint auspices
of the Ministry of Justice, the Supreme Court and the Japan Federation of Bar Associations.
Poster "Human rights
volunteers"
Poster
"Human Rights Week"
Symposium
みんなの人権 110 番
子どもの人権 110 番
女性の人権ホットライン
( 通 話 料 無 料 )
http://www.mo
j.go.
jp/JINKEN/jinken04_00041.html
http://www.jin
ken-l
ibrar
y.jp/http://w
ww.moj.go
.jp/JINKEN
/jinken113.htmlhttp
s://www.jinke
n.go.jp
/soudan/m
obile/0
01.html
イン
ター
ネッ
ト人
権相
談受
付窓口法務局では,人権侵害による被害を受けた方を救済するための
活動を行っています。お気軽に相談ください。
みんなで築こう人権の世紀
第67回 人権 週 間
12月4日〜10日
〜考えよう 相手の気持ち 育てよう 思いやりの心〜
人KEN
あゆみ
ちゃん
人権イ
メージ
キャラ
クター
人KEN
まもる君Forum
Let’s Visit
the Ministry of Justice!
Visit
Main Weekly and Monthly Events
of the Let’s Visit
the Ministry of Justice!
MakingtheMinistryofJusticeMoreFamiliar
Making the Ministry of Justice
More Familiar
Making the Ministry of Justice
More Familiar
49 50
There are more than 70 unique mascots that reflect the
regional characteristics of the features and 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.
Friends of the Ministry of Justice
Wehavefriends
allaroundthecountry!
"Akaruiine" of Osaka
Probation Office
"Appuri" of Aomori
District Public
Prosecutors Office
"Jakkun" of Nagasaki
District Legal Affairs
Bureau "Katakkuri-chan" of
Asahikawa Prison
"Entora-kun" of Osaka
Regional Immigration Bureau
What is the Kids Room?
It is a website for introducing the Ministry of Justice to
elementary and junior high school students. In the "What kind
of place is the Ministry of Justice?" and the "Ministry of Justice in
Photographs" sections illustrations and photographs are used 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"!
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.
Did you learn something about the Ministry of Justice?
Let’s look at what the Ministry of Justice does in our daily lives!
It explains things in an easy
to understand quiz format.
検索
きっずるーむ
http://www.moj.go.jp/KIDS/
The Kids Room character Akarenga-kun
(Red-brick Boy) and「Dr.Brick」
What kind of place is the Ministry of Justice?
What are laws for?
Laws are things that make us happier. Laws are rules that help us all
live together by respecting each others’ individuality and cooperating
together.
By protecting our rights and clearly showing what rules we have
to obey, laws make it possible for us to live and act freely and enjoy a
more fulfilling life.
The Ministry of Justice is a place where people do work that is
necessary to make our society safe and bright.
For example, it makes the basic rules that lets everyone live with a
feeling that they are safe, 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 there
and then helping them return to the society as people who can lead
better lives.
Also, when people’s human rights are violated by things like bullying,
the Ministry investigates to find ways to stop the bullying from
happening 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 go in and out of Japan.
Kids Room法務省をもっと身近に!51 52
WORK GUIDE
Use it together with and you’ll learn more!
1 Civil Affairs Bureau
The Civil Affairs Bureau conducts work involving registration, family registration, nationality, deposit
services, notarization, etc.
The Bureau also manages and operates the Legal Affairs Bureau and the District Legal Affairs Bureau, as
well as drawing up bills regarding basic civil laws such as the Civil Code, the Commercial Code and the Code
of Civil Procedure, etc.
2 Criminal Affairs Bureau
The Criminal Affairs Bureau plans and drafts bills to inflict punishment on those who committed crimes,
asks for cooperation from foreign countries or responds to requests for cooperation from foreign countries
to investigate cases as well as providing assistance for the activities of the Public Prosecutors Office.
3 Correction Bureau
The Correction Bureau is responsible for giving guidance or supervision to correctional institutions such
as prisons or juvenile training schools so that the treatment (such as security, prison work, classification,
assessment, education, medical treatment, hygiene, etc.) of inmates is performed properly. The Bureau is
also responsible for conducting research and studies on new treatment methods.
4 Rehabilitation Bureau
The Rehabilitation Bureau is responsible for giving living guidance or livelihood support in cooperation
with private citizens to juvenile delinquents who committed crimes in order to help them rehabilitate in local
communities without letting them turn to delinquency again. The Bureau 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.
5 Human Rights Bureau
The Human Rights Bureau handles various human rights problems regarding discrimination, abuse,
bullying, violation of privacy, etc., 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.
6 Litigation Bureau
The Litigation Bureau conducts work as "attorneys for the national government." The Bureau files a
motion with the court, makes a claim and/or bears testimony on behalf of the national government in
lawsuits where the government is the plaintiff or the defendant.
7 Immigration Bureau
The Immigration Bureau is responsible for work involved in inspections when Japanese nationals or
foreign nationals enter or depart from Japan, proceedings for foreigners staying in Japan, and deportation
of illegally over-staying foreigners. The Bureau is also responsible for proceedings for refugee recognition
when foreigners seek asylum in Japan for fear of persecution in their own countries.
8 Judicial 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 for enrichment and development of law-related education so that all citizens can gain
a good understanding of the importance of laws and judicial process.9Research 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 Ministry of Justice. Also, the Institute helps to create laws for those countries where laws are
not yet well prepared as well as providing international training for the prevention of crimes in cooperation
with the United Nations.
10 Public 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 decided, the Office asks for proper
punishment against criminals by the court.11Public Security Examination
Commission
The Public Security Examination Commission is responsible for fair investigations and decisions from
neutral viewpoints upon requests from the 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.12Public Security Intelligence
Agency
The Public Security Intelligence Agency conducts work to protect the safety of the country and the
citizens from organizations that make their assertions with violence, such as terrorist organizations. 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.
Making the Ministry of Justice
More Familiar
Making the Ministry of Justice
More Familiar
MakingtheMinistryofJusticeMoreFamiliar52Human Rights
Campaign
Characters
Human Rights
Campaign
Characters
Jin-KEN-Mamoru Kun & Jin-Ken-Ayumi Chan
The mascot for the
law-related education
"Hourisu-kun"
A"rehabilitation penguin"
"Hogo-chan"
Public prosecutor
Judge
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 ❶】
Information on the name of
t h e c o m p a n y a n d i t s
address, what kind of work
the company does, etc. are
p u b l i s h e d u n d e r t h e
commercial registration
system to safely conduct
economic activities.【Work
Guide ❶】
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 ❹】
The Rehabilitation Bureau is seeking
private employers who willingly hire
offenders and provide cooperation so
that the offenders can return to
society.
【Work Guide ❹】
The Immigration Bureau examines Japanese and foreign
nationals whether they have any problems or not when
they enter or depart from Japan.
【Work Guide ❼】
The staff of the Ministry of Justice gives lessons,
creates teaching materials, etc. to communicate the
importance of law.【Work Guide ❽】
The Research and Training Institute conducts
international work by helping the countries where laws
are not well prepared create laws.
【Work Guide ❾】
The Public prosecutor investigates cases, express their opinions
by submitting evidence to the court, etc. so that punishment is
properly imposed.【Work Guide 】
The Human Rights Bureau works
for the importance of human
rights and provides advice on
discrimination, abuse and
bullying.
【Work Guide ❺】
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 ❸】
Defendant
Defense
cousel
Why do we need rules?
○しろまる×ばつ
COMPANY
○しろまる×ばつ
COMPANY
MINISTRY OF JUSTICE
Published in 2016 by the Public Information Office,
Ministry of Justice (Secretarial Division, Minister’s Secretariat)
1-1-1 Kasumigaseki Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-8977 Tel. 03-3580-4111
Website:
http://www.moj.go.jp/
Twitter
@MOJ_HOUMU
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
reddish 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, and it
led 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. As for
the external appearance, it 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 (the 20th
year of Showa) during World War II, but the red-brick walls
remained intact. When the structure was renovated through
the restoration work conducted from 1948 (the 23rd year of
Showa) to 1950 (the 25th year of Showa), some alterations
were made in the materials and the shape of the roof. The
present red-brick building has, however, been restored
completely to the original appearance it had in 1895, and its
exterior was designated as a national important cultural
property on December 27, 1994.
History of the Ministry of Justice Building
ACCESS TO THE MINISTRY OF JUSTICE
The Ministry of Justice Building (Central Government Office Complex No. 6-A and the Red-Brick Building)
●くろまる 10-minute walk from JR Yurakucho Station (Yamanote
Line/Keihin-Tohoku Line)
●くろまる 1-minute walk from Tokyo Metro (Yurakucho Line)
Sakuradamon Station
●くろまる 3-minute walk from Tokyo Metro (Marunouchi Line/
Hibiya Line) Kasumigaseki Station
●くろまる 5-minute walk from Tokyo Metro (Chiyoda Line)
Kasumigaseki Station
●くろまる 6-minute walk from Toei Subway (Mita Line) Hibiya
Station
Hibiya Park
Ministry of
Agriculture,
Foresty &
Fisheries
Ministy of Health,
Labour & Welfare
Hibiya Str.
Iwaida Str.
Sakurada Str.
UchiboriStr.A105A1
Kasumigaseki Sta.
KasumigasekiSta.KasumigasekiSta.Hibiya Sta.SakuradamonSta.Ministry of
Justice
Red-Brick
Building
Tokyo High Court
Mninistry of Internal
Affairs &
Communications
Metropolitan
Police Department
Public
Prosecutors
Office