2017MINISTRY OF
JUSTICE2017MINISTRY OF
JUSTICE2017MINISTRY OF
JUSTICE 2The Ministry of Justice is
closely connected to
every member of the community.
MINISTRY OF JUSTICELawsHappiness protected
by laws
In order to live in this community it is necessary to have rules
and regulations.
Such rules ensure that family relationships, such as parents
and children or brothers and sisters are accurately registered;
that people can live safely within the community; and that
ordered materials can be obtained without fail.
Furthermore, to preserve peace and order in society, it is also
essential that persons who harm others or commit a crime are
appropriately punished.
The Ministry of Justice not only prescribes such basic rules applicable in soci-
ety 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 exer-
cise 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 immi-
gration control of those entering or leaving Japan is dealt with in an appropri-
ate manner, the basic human rights of individuals are respected, and intelli-
gence activities are carried out for the purpose of public security.
Human rights
Criminal justice
Immigration
services
Registrations,
Family Registers
Citizenship
CONTENTS
The Ministry of Justice is closely connected to every member
of the community. ............................................................................................................1
Ministry of Justice Challenges for the Future...........................................3
About 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 "Job" in the Community .......14
"No Return to Crime, No Facilitation of a Return to Crime"
Declaration
...........................................................................................................................15
Emergency Measures for the Prevention of Repeated Offences
by Drug-Dependent People, Elderly Criminals, and Others ..........15
Act Pertaining to Promotion of Recidivism Prevention
................16
Efforts to Achieve Safety and Security
.........................................................16
Support for Crime Victims
......................................................................................19
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
●くろまる Visit
Ministry of Justice Museum-Message Gallery ......................................47
Let’s Visit the Ministry of Justice! ....................................................................49
●くろまるMain Weekly and Monthly Events
..............................................................50
●くろまるKids Room .......................................................................................................................511234567Human Rights
Campaign
Characters
Human Rights
Campaign
Characters
Jin-Ken-Mamoru Kun & Jin-Ken-Ayumi Chan
The mascot for the
law-related education
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】
The Immigration Bureau examines Japanese and foreign
nationals whether they have any problems or not whenediuGkroW【.napaJmorftrapedroretneyeh
t ❼】
The staff of the Ministry of Justice gives lessons,
creates teaching materials, etc. to communicate the
importance of law.【Work Guide ❽】
The Human Rights Bureau works
for the importance of human
rights and provides advice on
discrimination, abuse and
bullying.
【Work Guide ❺】
Why do we need rules?
○しろまる×ばつ
COMPAPAP NY
○しろまる×ばつ
COMPANY
Human Rights
Campaign
Characters
Human Rights
Campaign
Characters
The mascot for the
law-related education
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】
The Immigration Bureau examines Japanese and foreign
nationals whether they have any problems or not whenediuGkroW【.napaJmorftrapedroretneyeh
t ❼】
The staff of the Ministry of Justice gives lessons,
creates teaching materials, etc. to communicate the
importance of law.【Work Guide ❽】
The Human Rights Bureau works
for the importance of human
rights and provides advice on
discrimination, abuse and
bullying.
【Work Guide ❺】
Why do we need rules?
○しろまる×ばつ
COMPANY11
The Ministry of Justice is
closely connected to
every member of the community.
MINISTRY OF JUSTICE
MINISTRY OF JUSTICELawsHappiness protected
by laws
In order to live in this community it is necessary to have rules
and regulations.
Such rules ensure that family relationships, such as parents
and children or brothers and sisters are accurately registered;
that people can live safely within the community; and that
ordered materials can be obtained without fail.
Furthermore, to preserve peace and order in society, it is also
essential that persons who harm others or commit a crime are
appropriately punished.
The Ministry of Justice not only prescribes such basic rules applicable in soci-
ety 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 exer-
cise 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 immi-
gration control of those entering or leaving Japan is dealt with in an appropri-
ate manner, the basic human rights of individuals are respected, and intelli-
gence activities are carried out for the purpose of public security.
Human rights
Criminal justice
Immigration
services
Registrations,
Family Registers
Citizenship1 33Toward a Safer Future3Promotion of Recidivism Prevention Measures
The 1st Conference to Promote Recidivism Prevention Measures(2.Feb,2017)
(Center:Minister of Justice Kaneda)
Public officials and citizens of the private
sector are working together to prevent
repeat offenses (recidivism) so that every-
one can live in safety and security in a soci-
ety that is free of repeat offenses and where
no new victims are created.
MINISTRY OF JUSTICE
MINISTRY OF JUSTICELawsHappiness protected
by laws
Toward a
Future of Interaction
Establishing the
"Safest Country in the World"
Ministry of Justice
Challenges for the Future
Challenge for
Enhancement of Immigration Administration
Connection and interaction with the world will become
more active with the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic
Games coming up in 2020.
The Ministry of Justice is advancing efforts so that
Japan can welcome foreign visitors safely and efficiently
to Japan.
Immigration Examinations at the port of Entry
Law-related education class
Children’s Rights SOS Mini-Letters (for elementary school students)
Automated gate12
Toward the
Future of Law
Systems to Protect the People and Society
To realize a society where each and every individual
can live without anxiety, the Ministry of Justice is working
to develop a comprehensive and carefully implemented
human rights relief system, enhance the justice system in
ways that the people can relate to and rely on, and
promote law-related education for the next generation
who will be using and creating laws in the future.
Also, the Ministry will actively provide assistance for
the improvement of legal systems in different countries
as a country open to the world.
The Ministry of Justice is dedicated to
ongoing efforts to maintain the security
of society by working to prevent repeat
offenses, promoting immigration regu-
lations 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 Coun-
try in the World." 3
The mascot for
law-related
education
"Hourisu-kun"44
Toward a Safer Future3Promotion of Recidivism Prevention Measures
The 1st Conference to Promote Recidivism Prevention Measures(2.Feb,2017)
(Center:Minister of Justice Kaneda)
Public officials and citizens of the private
sector are working together to prevent
repeat offenses (recidivism) so that every-
one can live in safety and security in a soci-
ety that is free of repeat offenses and where
no new victims are created.
MINISTRY OF JUSTICELawsHappiness protected
by laws
Toward a
Future of Interaction
Establishing the
"Safest Country in the World"
Ministry of Justice
Challenges for the Future
Challenge for
Enhancement of Immigration Administration
Connection and interaction with the world will become
more active with the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic
Games coming up in 2020.
The Ministry of Justice is advancing efforts so that
Japan can welcome foreign visitors safely and efficiently
to Japan.
Immigration Examinations at the port of Entry
Law-related education class
Children’s Rights SOS Mini-Letters (for elementary school students)
Automated gate12
Toward the
Future of Law
Systems to Protect the People and Society
To realize a society where each and every individual
can live without anxiety, the Ministry of Justice is working
to develop a comprehensive and carefully implemented
human rights relief system, enhance the justice system in
ways that the people can relate to and rely on, and
promote law-related education for the next generation
who will be using and creating laws in the future.
Also, the Ministry will actively provide assistance for
the improvement of legal systems in different countries
as a country open to the world.
The Ministry of Justice is dedicated to
ongoing efforts to maintain the security
of society by working to prevent repeat
offenses, promoting immigration regu-
lations 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 Coun-
try in the World." 3
Also, the Ministry will actively provide assistance for
the improvement of legal systems in different countries
as a country open to the world.
The mascot for
law-related
education
"Hourisu-kun"
Evaluation Commission
of the Japan Legal Support Center
Legislative Council of the Ministry of Justice
Public Prosecutors and Notaries Public
Appointment Examination Committee
Branch Institutes(7)
Training Institute
for Correctional Personnel
Branch Institutes(8))2(sretneCnoitargimmIResearch and Training
Institute of the Ministry of Justice
Supreme Public
Prosecutors Office
Branch High Public)6(secffiOsrotucesorPPublic Security
Examination Commision
Public Security
Intelligence Agency
Training Institute of the Public Security
Intelligence Agency)26(snosirP)6(snosirPelinevuJDetention Houses(8)
Juvenile)64(sloohcSgniniarTJuvenile)15(semoHnoitacfiissalC
Branch Juvenile)6(loohcSgniniarTBranch Juvenile)1(emoHnoitacfiissalC)8(snosirPhcnarB
Branch Detention)401(sesuoH)1(emoHecnadiuG
Public Security
Intelligence Bureaus(8)
Public Security)41(secffiOecnegilletnIHigh Public)8(secffiOsrotucesorPBranch District Legal
Affairs Bureaus(261)
Legal Affairs
Bureaus(8)
Branch Offices(106)
Regional Correction
Headquarters(8)
Regional Parole Boards(8)
Branch Probation
Offices(3))6(secffiOhcnarB
District Immigration)7(secffiO)8(suaeruBnoitargimmIlanoigeRImmigration Detention Facilities
Visiting Committee(2)
Penal Institution
Visiting Committee(76)
Juvenile Training School
Visiting Committee(46)
Juvenile Classification Home
Visiting Committee(51))55(secffiOhcnarBProbation Offices(50)
District Legal
Affairs Bureaus(42)
Branch District Public
Prosecutors Offices )302(
District Public)05(secffiOsrotucesorP
Local Public)834(secffiOsrotucesorPNational Offenders Rehabilitation Commission
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 Gene
Human Rights Promotion Office
ral 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. 2017)
Minister of Justice
State Minister
of Justice
Vice-Minister
of Justice
Parliamentary
Vice-Minister
of Justice5About the Ministry of Justice Structure, Historical Background,
Quota and Budget
ORGANIZATION
OF THE MINISTRY
OF JUSTICE
Evaluation Commission
of the Japan Legal Support Center
Legislative Council of the Ministry of Justice
Public Prosecutors and Notaries Public
Appointment Examination Committee
Branch Institutes(7)
Training Institute
for Correctional Personnel
Branch Institutes(8))2(sretneCnoitargimmIResearch and Training
Institute of the Ministry of Justice
Supreme Public
Prosecutors Office
Branch High Public)6(secffiOsrotucesorPPublic Security
Examination Commision
Public Security
Intelligence Agency
Training Institute of the Public Security
Intelligence Agency)26(snosirP)6(snosirPelinevuJDetention Houses(8)
Juvenile)64(sloohcSgniniarTJuvenile)15(semoHnoitacfiissalC
Branch Juvenile)6(loohcSgniniarTBranch Juvenile)1(emoHnoitacfiissalC)8(snosirPhcnarB
Branch Detention)401(sesuoH)1(emoHecnadiuG
Public Security
Intelligence Bureaus(8)
Public Security)41(secffiOecnegilletnIHigh Public)8(secffiOsrotucesorPBranch District Legal
Affairs Bureaus(261)
Legal Affairs
Bureaus(8)
Branch Offices(106)
Regional Correction
Headquarters(8)
Regional Parole Boards(8)
Branch Probation
Offices(3))6(secffiOhcnarB
District Immigration)7(secffiO)8(suaeruBnoitargimmIlanoigeRImmigration Detention Facilities
Visiting Committee(2)
Penal Institution
Visiting Committee(76)
Juvenile Training School
Visiting Committee(46)
Juvenile Classification Home
Visiting Committee(51))55(secffiOhcnarBProbation Offices(50)
District Legal
Affairs Bureaus(42)
Branch District Public
Prosecutors Offices )302(
District Public)05(secffiOsrotucesorP
Local Public)834(secffiOsrotucesorPNational Offenders Rehabilitation Commission
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 Gene
Human Rights Promotion Office
ral 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. 2017)
Minister of Justice
State Minister
of Justice
Vice-Minister
of Justice
Parliamentary
Vice-Minister
of Justice6 The MOJ FY 2017 Budget totals 750.4 billion yen, including
502.2 billion (66.9%) in personnel costs. An additional 1.5
billion is allocated to MOJ from the "Special Account for
Reconstruction from the Great East Japan Earthquake".
(Unit: billion yen)
1871 ●くろまる Shihosho established
1947 ●くろまる
Separated from Shihosho, came under the
jurisdiction of the Supreme Court
1948 ●くろまる Homucho established (Shihosho abolished)
1949 ●くろまる
Renamed Homufu (with 3 director-generals
and 11 bureaus)
1952 ●くろまる
Renamed the Ministry of Justice
(with Minister's Secretariat and 7 bureaus)
2001 ●くろまる
Reorganization of the central government
(with Minister's Secretariat and 6 bureaus)
2015 ●くろまる
Litigation Bureau established(with Minister's
Secretariat and 7 bureaus)
Ministry of Justice 883
Research and Training Institute of the Ministry of Justice 88
Legal Affairs Bureaus 8,835
Public Prosecutors Offices 11,806
Correctional Institutions 23,600
Probation Offices and Regional Parole Boards 1,815
Regional Immigration Bureaus 4,474
Public Security Examination Commission 4
Public Security Intelligence Agency 1,609
Total 53,114
Note:The numbers in the Ministry of Justice include the number of special officers
Organization
AbouttheMinistryofJustice
Historical Background
Quota (FY 2017)
Budget (FY 2017)
FY 2017
Budget
750.4
Personnel Costs
502.2
66.9%
Other
Non-Personnel
Costs
224.5
29.9%
Facilities Costs23.73.2% 7lation cases, providing human rights counseling services, and
promoting respect for human rights. As field offices of the Bu-
reau, there is Human Rights Department in each Legal Affairs
Bureau and a Human Rights Division in each District Legal Af-
fairs Bureau. In addition, Human Rights Volunteers, who are pri-
vate citizens appointed by the Minister of Justice, are placed in
each municipality of cities, towns and villages (including wards
of Tokyo) across the country.
Criminal Affairs Bureau
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 re-
garding prosecution; and affairs regarding extradition of crimi-
nals and fugitives as well as mutual international legal assis-
tance.
Corrections Bureau
The Corrections Bureau is responsible for matters concerning
the treatment of inmates (such as security, prison work, educa-
tion, classification, medical treatment, hygiene) in the correc-
tional institutions (prisons, juvenile prisons, detention houses,
juvenile training schools, juvenile classification homes, and the
women’s guidance homes); the planning and drafting of correc-
tional legislation; the organization and management of correc-
tional institutions; and the international transfer of sentenced
persons
Litigation Bureau
The Litigation Bureau handles state redress suits and admin-
istrative suits in which the State is the party. Furthermore, they
are in charge of clerical work that makes suggestions from juris-
tic perspectives by request from each administrative arm con-
cerning 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 pub-
lic juristic persons as prescribed by Cabinet orders in cases where
such suits are found to be related to the interests of the State.
Rehabilitation Bureau
The Rehabilitation Bureau is responsible for administration
matters concerning (a)the offender rehabilitation system in the
community which includes the parole of inmates of correctional
institutions, probation for juveniles on probation, parolees from
juvenile training schools and penal institutions or persons on
probation with suspension of execution of their sentence, (b)
crime prevention activities, (c)pardons and measures for crime
victims, and also (d)matters concerning community-based treat-
ment according to the Act on Medical Care and Treatment for
Persons Who Have Caused Serious Incidents on the Grounds of
Insanity or Diminished Capacity.
Immigration Bureau
In addition to the immigration inspections of Japanese nation-
als and foreign nationals, the Immigration Bureau processes the
administrative affairs relating to the residency procedures for
foreign nationals staying in Japan, the deportation of foreign na-
tionals and the recognition of refugees.
Minister’s Secretariat
▶Secretarial Division
The Secretarial Division is in charge of secretarial and admin-
istrative work for the Minister of Justice, etc., overall coordina-
tion of administration of each department, clerical work perti-
nent 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 accom-
panying its exams, etc., as well as clerical work related to human
resources such as the quota, appointment and dismissal of em-
ployees.
▶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 Jus-
tice; 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 concern-
ing comprehensive legal support; matters concerning law-relat-
ed education; matters concerning the qualification of attor-
neys-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 ser-
vices.
Civil Affairs Bureau
The Civil Affairs Bureau is responsible for handling matters
such as the affairs regarding the systems of registration of com-
panies and real estate, family registration, nationality (citizen-
ship), deposit services, notarization, judicial scriveners, land and
house investigators, and the planning and drafting of civil legis-
lation, such as the Civil Code, the Commercial Code, and the
Code of Civil Procedure.
Human Rights Bureau
The Human Rights Bureau handles matters concerning the
promotion and protection of fundamental human rights. Its
functions include investigating and handling human rights vio-
◎にじゅうまるInternal Departments of the Ministry of Justice
About the Ministry of Justice Outline of the Organization8tribute to smooth trial proceedings by detainment and by pre-
venting the destruction of evidence, while paying due respect to
the defendants’ basic human rights.
Public Prosecutors Office
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 Prosecu-
tors 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, Superintend-
ing Prosecutors, Public Prosecutors and Assistant Prosecutors)
and public prosecutors' assistant officers.
Public Prosecutors
In criminal cases, public prosecutors have the power to investi-
gate any criminal offense, decide whether or not to institute
prosecution, request proper application of law by courts and con-
trol/supervise the execution of judgments, and furthermore, as
representatives of public interests, they are given additional au-
thority by the Civil Code and other laws.
Prosecutorial power is exercised for the purpose of the mainte-
nance of the law and order of the nation and society. The exer-
cise of prosecutorial power is based on the principle of strict fair-
ness and impartiality, and cases are handled with due respect to
the human rights of the suspects.
The cover of a pamphlet explaining
the meaning and role of prosecution
●くろまる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.
●くろまるFor its contents, please refer to the Ministry of Justice website
http://www.moj.go.jp/ENGLISH/CRAB/crab-02.html
Penal Institutions
(Prisons, Juvenile Prisons, Detention Houses)
The penal institutions consist of prisons which confine in-
mates 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 rehabilita-
tion and smooth return to society, and for this purpose, they are
taken into the most suitable institution after psychological ex-
aminations of their personality characteristics and social adjust-
ment. 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, liv-
ing 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 intro-
ducing new treatment techniques.
The treatment of defendants awaiting trial is intended to con-
◎にじゅうまるExtraordinary Organs
◎にじゅうまるFacilities
FUCHU Prison
The cover of a pamphlet explaining
the meaning and role of prosecution
●くろまる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 cover of a pamphlet clearly explaining
AbouttheMinistryofJustice 9About the Ministry of Justice Outline of the Organization
Juvenile Classification Homes
A Juvenile classification home confines juveniles who have
been referred by the family court when the court orders "protec-
tive measures." The home conducts assessment of these juve-
niles based on the expertise the home has in medicine, psychol-
ogy and pedagogy, etc., in order to provide relevant information
for the investigation and hearing by the family court. Such as-
sessment is conducted by interviews, psychological tests and be-
havioral 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 physi-
cal conditions of the juveniles and through clarification of the
causes of delinquency.
The home also conducts assessment at the request of the su-
perintendent of juvenile training schools, the director of proba-
tion 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.
Women’s Guidance Homes
The Women’s Guidance Homes confine adult females who are
rendered for "guidance measures" by the criminal court for viola-
tion of the Anti-Prostitution Act. The home provides living guid-
ance and vocational training according to the needs for their re-
habilitation.
Juvenile Training Schools
Juvenile Training Schools confine juveniles, etc., who have
been sent from the family court as protective measures and pro-
vide correctional education, etc.
At a juvenile training school, an Individual Plan for Correction-
al Education which determines the goals, contents, implementa-
tion methods, and terms of correctional education that should
be conducted according to the juvenile’s traits such as age, phys-
ical 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.
OSAKA Juvenile Classification Home
Photo of a Psychological Test
at a Juvenile Classification Home (posed image)
KAKOGAWA & HARIMA Juvenile Training School
Photo of guidance on problematic behavior10AbouttheMinistryofJustice
Research and Training Institute of the Ministry of Justice
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 coopera-
tion 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 recidi-
vism.
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, vari-
ous 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 of-
ficials who can respond appropriately to operations that are be-
coming 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 Treat-
ment of Offenders (UNAFEI), established based on an agree-
ment with the United Nations in 1962, and has trained legal
practitioners from developing countries involved in the areas of
crime prevention and treatment of offenders, while also cooper-
ating 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.
Training Institute for Correctional Personnel
The Training Institute for Correctional Personnel of the Minis-
try of Justice provides the necessary training programs as a mat-
ter of duty for personnel engaged in correctional services.
History
The Training Institute for Correctional Personnel is a venerable
institute whose predecessor is the Prison Officers Training Insti-
tute of the old Home Office established in 1890. It has a long
history and tradition as a training institution for public officers.
White Paper on Crime
International Training Course at UNAFEI
Mock Trial in Cambodia
Training Institute for Correctional Personnel
Training at the Training Institute for Correctional Personnel
The White Paper on Crime is an
found in the Research Department 11About the Ministry of Justice Outline of the Organization
An on-site inspection Lecture at an economic organization
tions at the facilities of these organizations and carries out nec-
essary investigations.
■しかくCurrent State of Surveillance Measures
In order to reveal the status of the activities of Aum Shinrikyo
("Aleph" and "Hikarinowa" are central in its activities), the Agen-
cy conducts surveillance of the cult in an appropriate and rigor-
ous manner. Investigations and on-site inspections of Aum Shin-
rikyo have revealed that the cult still maintains a risk of
committing an act of indiscriminate mass murder: the cult has
increased the number of new followers through recruiting activ-
ities without mentioning its name; the cult also has maintained
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 peo-
ple such as North Korea’s ballistic missile test-launches, nuclear
development and abductions of Japanese nationals; China’s ex-
tensive and rapid modernization of military strength; threats
posed by international terrorism and cyber attacks; and prolifer-
ation 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 neighbor-
ing countries regarding the territorial and maritime interests of
Japan, and these situations have become matters of great con-
cern to the government and relevant organs of Japan. It has be-
come 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 con-
tributing to the government’s policies by providing relevant or-
gans including the National Security Council with the intelli-
gence.
■しかくInitiative for public-private collaboration
The Agency is strengthening its measures to provide intelli-
gence regarding terrorism. The Director-General of the Agency
delivers lectures for private corporations and economic associa-
tions and provides those organizations with the "Summary of
International Terrorism," outlining the trends of terrorist activi-
ties in the world. The Agency promotes its initiative for the pro-
tection 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.
Public Security Intelligence Agency
The Public Security Intelligence Agency is an administrative
organ whose duties are to comprehensively conduct functions
including intelligence activities and requests for dispositions re-
garding the control of subversives and other relevant organiza-
tions 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/materi-
als 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 activ-
ities 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 intel-
ligence 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 organizational activi-
ties 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 applica-
tion with the Commission against organizations that have com-
mitted indiscriminate mass murder in the past and are still con-
sidered dangerous in order to take "surveillance measures" or
other measures for preventing a recurrence. At the same time,
the Agency collects reports from these organizations under the
Commission's order for surveillance, conducts on-site inspec-
◎にじゅうまるExtra-ministerial Bureaus(Public Security Intelligence Agency, Public Security Examination Commission)12AbouttheMinistryofJustice
Public Security Examination Commission
The Public Security Examination Commission is an extramin-
isterial organ of the Ministry with the aim of maintaining public
security. Upon receiving an application from the Director-Gener-
al of the Public Security Intelligence Agency for regulatory ac-
tions on subversive organizations stipulated in the Subversive
Activities Prevention Act or the Act on the Control of Organiza-
tions Which Have Committed Acts of Indiscriminate Mass Mur-
der, the Commission examines the application from an objective
and neutral viewpoint and makes a decision on whether any con-
trol measure is necessary or what control measure should be tak-en.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
Workflow of the Public Security Intelligence Agency and the Public Security Examination Commission 13 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 in-
mates 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, let’s look at the contents in detail.
Toward Japan as "the Safest Country in the World"
Comprehensive Measures for the Prevention of Repeat Offenses1PICK UP!
Preventing Repeat Offenses ~Establishing the Safest Country in the World~
What kind of questions should be addressed in order to build
the safest country in the world?AQ
Ensuring favorable public security is
not only prerequisite for the success
of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and
Paralympic Games, but also an important
basis to enable women and the young to live
comfortably and with assurance in the
community. It is also an important issue that
can be the "foundation" for development of
the localities.
At the Ministerial Meeting Concerning
Measures Against Crime in December 2013,
the "Strategy to Make Japan ‘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 2015, 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.
The Number of Reimprisoned Inmates Among Imprisoned Inmates/Changes in the Rate of Inmates Reimprisoned (2004-2015)010203040506070(%)59.4%05000
10000
15000
20000
25000
30000
35000
(persons)
(Note 1)Annual Report of Statistics on Correction
(Note 2)
2004 2008 2013 2015
Reimprisoned inmates First-time inmates Rate of Inmates Reimprisoned
Reimprisoned inmates:12,804
First-time inmates:8,73514 Companies that employ
offenders and juvenile de-
linquents are called "coop-
erative employers" (see
page 36).
The Ministry of Justice is
working to strengthen mea-
sures to support the efforts
of "cooperative employers"
through such means as eco-
nomic support initiatives to
help ensure that employers
can provide sustainable em-
ployment to offenders and
juvenile delinquents with
assurance.
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.
Further "Employment support information center of Correction" (The popular name is "CORE-work") was established in Tokyo and Osaka regional correc-
tion headquarters, and commenced its operations in November 2016. CORE-work collectively manages information: the place to come back, qualification, etc.;
of inmates and juveniles in prisons and Juvenile Training Schools across the country. When the company wish to employ the persons who have released from
correctional institutions, CORE-work introduce the name of correctional institutions which accommodate the needs of company, based on those informations.
At prisons or juvenile train-
ing schools, vocational train-
ing that will lead to employ-
ment in types of businesses
with high levels of social need
such as construction indus-
tries and care welfare indus-
tries is conducted.
Also, in addition to the ac-
quisition of technique and
skills, the facilities give guid-
ance to enable trainees to ac-
quire manners and abilities needed for work, such as acceptable
manners as members of a society or communication abilities in
the workplace.
There are various factors for committing crimes or turning to
delinquency. To prevent recidivism, it is necessary to take effec-
tive approaches,including individualized guidance and support.
Therefore, prisons, juvenile training schools and probation of-
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 three 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 prosocial interpersonal relationships through work
which will then lead to greater opportunities to re-establish
At Prisons, for inmates
who have difficulty in re-
habilitation or smooth re-
turn to society because of
having certain reasons
such as drug dependency,
the following programs
are conducted:
At probation offices, multiple interventions, for example, spe-
cialized treatment programs for sexual offenders or drug-related
criminals, and social contribution activities, have been imple-
mented.
Workgroup at a Prison
Cooperative employers
Division of Care Welfare
Cleanup activity at a dry riverbed
Preparation assistance for serving lunch at
a welfare facility
Toward
Japanas"the
Safest
Countryinthe
World"
●くろまるGuidance to Overcome Drug Dependency
●くろまるGuidance to Stay Away from Organized Crime Groups
●くろまるGuidance for Recidivism Prevention for Sexual Offenses
●くろまるEducation Adopting the Perspectives of Victims
●くろまるGuidance for Traffic Safety
●くろまるGuidance for Job Assistance
fices are seeking to enhance effective and seamless treatment
based on empirical studies and according to each offender’s char-
acteristics.
themselves as independent members of the society.
However, those who have committed crimes or turned to delin-
quency to obtain work tend to have difficult situations due to
their qualifications and/or previous criminal records.
The Ministry of Justice is engaging in job assistance in coopera-
tion with various organizations in the community as well as pri-
vate citizens such as cooperative employers.
Enhancement of Guidance and Support According to Each Offender's Characteristics
Creating a "Place to Belong" and "Job" in the Community
Guidance Provided at Prisons and Probation Offices
Vocational Training that Meets the Needs of the Society Efforts in the Community
■しかく Ensuring Occupation to Lead an Independent Life
Employment Information for Inmates
ACTION!
The Ministry of Justice is seeking
companies that are willing to
become "cooperative employers".
●くろまる Examples of social contribution activities ●くろまる1 115Toward 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 rel-
atives after release.
Meanwhile, the offenders who repeated criminal behavior es-
trange from the relatives, and, 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 correctional institutions
/probation offices and local public authorities so that they can
receive appropriate welfare services after their release.
To enhance treatment for inmates who have difficulty in leading in-
dependent lives, such as the elderly or disabled or those who are drug
dependent, officials with professional qualifications in the welfare
and/or psychology fields are assigned. Availability of relief and reha-
bilitation 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 incorpo-
rated non-profit organizations.
A room of a relief and
rehabilitation facility
Functional Enhancement of Relief and Rehabilitation Facilities and Securement of Various Places to Stay
■しかく Ensuring a Place to Belong in the Community
Education at a relief and rehabilitation
facility
To make Japan "the Safest Country in the World," where crimes
are not repeated and, above all, where no more people are victim-
ized and the citizens can live safely in peace, it is essential to cre-
ate 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 se-
Many drug-dependent people, and elderly or disabled people
who have committed crimes, the rehabilitation of whom is a
complex task, fall into the cracks between the criminal justice
system and their local communities, they are not able to receive
the supports they need and this may lead them to reoffend.
It is in light of this that the "Emergency Measures for the
Prevention of Repeated Offences by Drug-Dependent People,
Elderly Criminals, and Others", which focus on drug-dependent
people and elderly offenders, were put into place in July 2016 at
the Ministerial Meeting Concerning Measures Against Crime.
These countermeasures, which promote initiatives based on
the following three pillars, aim to create a nationwide
rehabilitation support network by 2020 for drug-dependent
people and elderly or disabled offenders.
cure "occupation" and a "place to belong," which are the keys to
prevent recidivism, by 2020:
❶ triple the number of companies which are willing to employ
those who have committed crimes or turned to delinquency by
understanding their conditions.
❷ reduce the number of those who return to society from prisons
without any place to go back to by more than 30 percent.
The declaration explicitly asks for the efforts of the country and
support from the citizens by setting the above two numerical tar-
gets.
❶ An integrated system of guidance provided by correction and
probation facilities, and medical treatment provided by medi-
cal facilities to aid drug-dependent people in their recovery.
❷ The provision of guidance and support through all stages of the
criminal justice system in conjunction with the local community.
❸ Promotion of long-term civic support initiatives to facilitate reha-
bilitation.
The implementation of these initiatives in an integrated fash-
ion will ensure that the "Comprehensive Measures for the Preven-
tion of Repeat Offenses" will achieve their numerical targets, and
will help make Japan "the Safest Country in the World," a country
in which crimes are not repeated and in which people can live in
safety and with peace of mind.
(Toward a Bright Society with Everyone Supporting Rehabilitation)
–Establishment of a Long-Term Support Network to Facilitate Rehabilitation–
"No Return to Crime, No Facilitation of a Return to Crime" Declaration
Emergency Measures for thePrevention of RepeatedOffences by Drug-Dependent People,Elderly Criminals,andOthers16Toward
Japanas"the
Safest
Countryinthe
World"1 In Japan, many people from the private sector, such as proba-
tion 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 sup-
porting 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 Recidi-
vism 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 lis-
tening to the voices of officials and people from the private sec-
tor 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 recidi-
vism prevention.
Recidivism Prevention Campaign
Mayor of Kobe Kizo Hisamoto meeting State
Minister of Justice Masahito Moriyama
State Minister of Justice Masahito Moriyama
calls on the audience at the Yoshimoto Kogyo
Namba Grand Kagetsu Theater to understand
and cooperate with activities aimed at preventing
repeat offences.
The Act Pertaining to Promotion of Recidivism Prevention was
enacted in December 2016.
The law establishes the fundamental principles of measures
and policies pertaining to the prevention of recidivism, clarifies
the responsibilities of national and regional public institutions,
and also aims to contribute to the creation of a community in
which people can live safely and with peace of mind, by promot-
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 Ministe-
rial Meeting Concerning Measures Against Crime in 2003 and
concentrated government-wide efforts on measures for the pre-
vention of crime.
These efforts resulted in a significant improvement, with a re-
duction 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
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 con-
tinue 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."
ing the prevention of recidivism in an integrated and planned
manner, thus preventing the harm caused to society by crime.
It is hoped that people will understand the import of this law,
support people in their rehabilitation and show further under-
standing and cooperation of recidivism countermeasures to cre-
ate a community in which we can all live safely and with peace of
mind.
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. To-
ward this end, in December of 2013, the Ministerial Meeting Con-
cerning 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 re-
cidivism prevention measures (refer to pages 13 - 16) and the
following types of programs.
Act Pertaining to Promotion of Recidivism Prevention
Efforts to Achieve Safety and Security
■しかく The Strategy to Make Japan "the Safest Country in the World"
再犯防止対策 Search
For further information on the
prevention of recidivism
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. 171 Toward Japan as "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 Govern-
ment 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 (en-
tered into force on November 23, 2008), the Agreement between Ja-
In order to protect people’s lives and safety, it is highly import-
ant to prevent those who intend to enter Japan for illicit purposes,
such as terrorists and criminals who disguise themselves as tour-
ists, from entering the country at the borders and ports of entry.
To ensure that such illegal entrants are identified, the Immigra-
tion Bureau conducts strict and effective immigration examina-
tions and implements surveillance and monitoring activities
through the methods described below.
●くろまるImmigration Examinations Using Personal Identification Infor-
mation (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 coun-
try with forged or altered passports hiding their records of depor-
tation.
●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, immi-
gration examinations are carried out utilizing the ICPO’s database
on lost or stolen passports.
●くろまるUtilization of API (Advance Passenger Information) and PNR
(Passenger Name Record)
In addition to obtaining the API (Advance Passenger Informa-
tion) of aircraft and vessels entering Japan in advance and strin-
gently crosschecking the information against a blacklist of terror-
ists and other suspect persons, the Immigration Bureau has been
striving to uncover terrorists, criminals and other suspect individuals
pan and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s
Republic of China on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters (en-
tered into force on September 24, 2009), the Agreement between Ja-
pan and the European Union on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal
matters (entered into force on January 2, 2011) and the Treaty be-
tween 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 communicate for col-
lection of evidence directly between the Ministry of Justice or the Na-
tional Police Agency and the judicial authorities of respective coun-
tries or regions, not through diplomatic channels, to enable expedition
of procedures. The Ministry of Justice is planning to strengthen coop-
eration with other countries as well in the future.
through analysis and utilization of PNR (Passenger Name Record).
●くろまるReinforcement of the Intelligence-Gathering Functions of Im-
migration Control
In October 2015,
"The Center for Collection and Analysis of In-
telligence"was established in order to enhance intelligence-gath-
ering functions, and immigration control is being conducted by
utilizing the pertinent information.
●くろまるImplementation of Patrols at Seaports and Other Measures
As well as conducting patrols and searches, etc., on ships at sea-
ports 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.
■しかく Cooperation Between the Investigative Authorities of Foreign Countries and Japan
■しかく Measures at the Borders
Immigration examinations using personal
identification information
Onboard inspection in order to prevent illegal
entry
2003 2008 2013 2015
1997 1998(%)0102030405060
1,098,969
32.5%
Numberofreported
cases
(cases)0500000
1000000
1500000
2000000
2500000
3000000
Source : Criminal Statistics by National Police Agency
Number of reported cases Clearance rate
Number of Reported Cases and Clearance Rates for General Penal Code Offenses (1997-2015)18 In September 2013, the Public Security Intelligence Agency es-
tablished the Special Task Force for Intelligence for the 2020 To-
kyo Olympic and Paralympic Games to strengthen intelligence
functions related to the Olympic events on a long-term basis.
With terrorism increasing becoming a real threat, as demon-
strated by the terror attack in Dhaka, Bangladesh in July 2016,
causing the victims of Japanese nationals. In Japan, extremist
groups have caused guerrilla type incidents and have reinforced
cooperation with international terrorist groups and anti-global-
ization organizations abroad. In order to deal appropriately with
these situations, the Agency is strengthening its efforts in gather-
ing and analyzing information related to international terrorist
and these domestic groups and strengthening systems for provid-
ing pertinent information to Japanese citizens traveling or living
abroad. The Agency also cooperates with the International
Counter-Terrorism Intelligence Collection Unit and other rele-
vant organizations 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 pur-
suing 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 relat-
ed intelligence and supplying it to the related agencies on a time-
ly basis and in relevant forms.
With regard to Aum Shinrikyo, the Agency has verified its dan-
ger and anti-social nature as there are still believers who place
absolute faith in the condemned criminal Asahara. Therefore, the
Agency continues to, among others, conduct surveillance actions
against the group with appropriate diligence and provide relevant
local authorities on their demands with the result of investiga-
tions based on the surveillance for the purpose of protecting the
public security and alleviating the fears and insecurity of commu-
nity residents.
Along with measures at the borders and ports of entry, it is also
important for the restoration of security to reduce the number of
foreign nationals who are now residing illegally in Japan. The Im-
migration Bureau strives to reduce the number of illegal residents
by reinforcing crackdowns, implementing safe and secure depor-
tation, preventing illegal employment and more widespread pub-
licizing of the departure order system.
In addition, the existence of fraudulent foreign residents, who
work illegally disguising themselves as legal residents, has re-
cently 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 pro-
mote the analysis of information on foreign residents whose in-
formation 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 for-
eign nationals is possible by assembling pictures of foreign resi-
dents and by taking active measures against fraudulent foreign
residents by accurately performing procedures to revoke their
status of residence.
■しかく Public Security Intelligence Agency
■しかく Measures Against Illegal or Fraudulent Foreign Residents
The "Summary of
International Terrorism"
(2016 edition)
The "Summary of International Terrorism" (Web version)
Changes in the Number of Foreign Overstayers (Jan. 2006-Jan. 2016)
Jan, 2012
Jan, 2011
Jan, 2010
Jan, 2009
Jan, 2008
Jan, 2007
Jan, 2006
Jan, 2013
Jan, 2014
Jan, 2015
Jan, 2016
(Month, Year) Number of overstayers
(thousand persons)......194...171...150...113...92...78...67...62...59...6063
Toward
Japanas"the
Safest
Countryinthe
World"1The Public Security Intelligence Agency website
http://www.moj.go.jp/psia/
Every year, the Public Security Intelligence
Agency publishes the "Summary of International
Terrorism," 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/)
The "Summary of 19●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 poli-
cies 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).
The Japan Legal Support Center (Houterasu) nominates candi-
dates as court-appointed attorneys for the victims, does the ad-
ministrative 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 attor-
neys-at-law who have experience and understanding of victim
assistance.
●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 condi-
tions, 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 vic-
tims 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 de-
fendant 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 partici-
pating victim's attorney on assistance, under certain require-
ments; 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
●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 Vic-
tims" 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.
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 sys-
tem to hear crime 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 spe-
cifically in charge of the measures are positioned at each proba-
tion 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 informa-
tion 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 infor-
mation 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.
Support for Crime Victims
■しかく The Basic Act on Crime Victims and the Basic Plan for Crime Victims
■しかく The Japan Legal Support Center (Houterasu)
■しかく Concrete Support Measures
1 Toward Japan as "the Safest Country in the World"20PromotionofJudicial
System
Reform2Promotion of Judicial System Reform2 The 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 con-
tinue 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 re-
forms based on the following three pillars as fundamental princi-
ples: (1) construction of a justice system which meets the expec-
tations of the people; (2) reform of the judicial community to
support the justice system; and (3) establishment of the founda-
tions 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 achieve-
ments 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
Government
Efforts
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)
The Three
Pillars of the
Reform
●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.
●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.
●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.
Construction of a Justice System that Meets the Expectations of the People
Reform of the Judicial Community
Establishment of the Foundations of Justice Among the General Public 212 Promotion of Judicial System Reform
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 530 laws have been made avail-
able 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 guide-
line, with bilingual entries for legal terms in both Japanese and
English.
In the future, as well, the Ministry hopes to continue publishing
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 investiga-
tions and trials that are adaptable to the new era, which still re-
main 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 neces-
sary 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 jus-
tice system that keeps pace with the times, the Minister of Justice
called on the Legislative Council of the Ministry of Justice to de-
liberate on ways to develop the substantive criminal law and pro-
cedural 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.
Law-related education aims to enable citizens who are not legal
professionals to understand laws, the judicial system, and the val-
ues that underlie them.
Following the reforms in various fields and deregulation in Ja-
pan, 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.
■しかく Law-Related Education
■しかく The Importance of Law-Related Education
revised editions of the dictionary and information on English
translations of the law in subsequent additions to this website.
Based on this report, the Ministry of Justice prepared and sub-
mitted a proposal for a bill to revise the Code of Criminal Proce-
dure 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 interro-
gations, 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) in-
troducing measures for protecting victims and witnesses, viii)
raising statutory penalties of crimes related to obstruction of jus-
tice, 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 crimi-
nal justice system.
The law was enacted into law in May 2016.
The law has already been partially enforced, and the rest is also
to come into force in stages.
The Courses of Study, the national curriculum standard,pro-
vides 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 Min-
istry 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.
Promotion of Translation of Japanese Laws
Establishing a New Criminal Justice System that Keeps Pace with the Times
Enrichment and Development of Law-Related Education
The Japanese Law Translation website
http://www.japaneselawtranslation.go.jp22PromotionofJudicial
System
Reform2 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 wheth-
er the defendant is guilty or not and what the sentence should be.
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 citi-
zens, including those who take part in education.
■しかく The Law-Related Education Promotion Council
With this system, the justice system will be closer and more fa-
miliar 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
"Hourisu-kun"( (The mascot for law-related education
"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.
Appointment Procedure
※(注記)At this stage the candidates do not need to appear
in the court.
Persons who have been selected by lot
as next year’s candidates for saiban-in
will be noti ed of their selection.
The candidates who have been further
selected by lot for each trial will be
noti ed of the date for appearance in
court by the service of the writ of
summons.
Six saiban-in will be appointed through
the appointment procedure at the court.
Around November About six weeks before
the trial
The day of the appointment
procedure
Duties of the saiban-in
Saiban-in hear the witness testimonies
and examine the evidence.
Saiban-in and professional judges
deliberate and detemine together
whether the defendant is guilty or not
and what the sentence will be.
Trial Deliberations
The presiding judge renders the
judgment.
Judgment
For more information
about the system,
please refer to our website
http://www.moj.go.jp/
keiji1/saibanin_index.html
A courtroom for saiban-in trials A room for deliberations 23Realization of Basic Rights for People3 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, na-
tionality and deposits with a deposit office to protect the property
and identity matters of the
people, the litigation af-
fairs including litigation
activities which are found
to be related to the inter-
ests of the State and the
human rights affairs for the
protection of fundamental
human rights.
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 inter-
ests in the real estate property that you have acquired by inheri-
tance, and enables you to sell it whenever you want or take out a
mortgage on it.
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 inheri-
tance 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.
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?
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 trou-
ble, it is important to carry out proper registration pro-
cedures as soon as possible after the completion of a
transaction.
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 Of-
fices have been placed under the Legal Affairs Bureaus and Dis-
trict Legal Affairs Bureaus.
The Legal Affairs Bureaus, District Legal Affairs Bureaus and
Branch District Legal Af-
fairs Bureaus are responsi-
ble for registration, family
register, nationality, depos-
it office deposits, litigation,
and human rights affairs.
Branch Offices are mainly
responsible for registration.
Legal Affairs Bureau
Institution for Documenting Your Rights
◆だいやまーく Registration (Real Estate Property, Commercial, etc.)
Responsibilities of the Legal Affairs Bureau
■しかく Protection of Our Assets
-Real Estate Property Registration System-
If you don’t register...
■しかく Inheritance Registration for the Future
Organization of the Legal Affairs Bureau
State of the Legal Affairs Bureau
Tokyo Legal Affaires Bureau
For further details, please check the Legal Affairs Bureau website.
http://houmukyoku.moj.go.jp/homu/static/index.html
Total Number of Registrations (2015)
215,776
11,744,602
1,529,111
13,489,489
Other
registrations
Real estate
property
registrations
Commercial and
corporate
registrations
Total number of
applications for
registrationQA24RealizationofBasic
RightsforPeople3 In order to clarify the exact location and dimensions of piece of
registered land, the registry office has to include in the registra-
tion documents a map called a "Registry Office Designated Map"
created based on the results of high-precision surveying. Howev-
er, 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 person-
nel with specialized knowledge and many years of experience in
the registry office promote the creation of Registry Office Desig-
nated 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, de-
marcate the registered land when its owner applies for the sys-tem. After conducting various re-
search, including field research
and surveying, the registrar
finds out and clarifies the origi-
nal parcel boundary.
When an issues regarding the
parcel boundary of a parcel of
land occurs, it is possible to re-
solve of the problem by taking
advantage of this system, with-
out filing a litigation.
Companies play an indispensable role in the economic activi-
ties of our country, but they can only acquire their juridical iden-
tity, which is necessary in order to hold legal rights and obliga-
tions to carry out such economic activities, through commercial
registration. Thus, commercial registration is an important sys-
tem 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 classifica-
tions of companies from the point of view of users) was enacted
on May 1, 2006.
In addition to the above-mentioned development of legal sys-
tems, to establish a registration system appropriate in today’s ad-
vanced information society, enhancement of organizational
structure of the personnel engaged in clerical registration; estab-
lishment of effective work processes, including mechanization
and rationalization of office work; optimization of the placement
of the registration office; and improvement of government build-
ings, etc. are pursued.
Also, in order to comply with the needs of today’s IT advances,
registry information services through which one’s registration in-
formation can be verified on the Internet and an electronic certi-
fication system based on the commercial registry have been intro-
duced. Furthermore, registration applications for real estate
property, commerce and incorporation, transfer of assigned mov-
ables, transfer of receivables and adult guardianship are available
online.
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 de-
velopment of Registry Office Designated Maps supports
smoother economic activities such as land development.
A parcel boundary is a line that defines the position and di-
mensions of the land at the time of registration. The parcel
boundary cannot be changed merely by an agreement be-
tween the owners.
■しかく Defining Your Land Lot (Parcel) Clearly
-Creating a Registry Office Designated Map-
■しかく Solving Boundary Disputes-Parcel Boundary Demarcation-
■しかく Commercial and Corporate Registration
■しかく Efforts to Implement Registration
Economic Activities and
Registry Office Designated Maps
What is a "parcel boundary"?
Old Map Registry Office Designated Map
Enlightenment poster about
Parcel Boundary Demarcation 253 Realization of Basic Rights for People
Family registration is the system that notarizes the kinship of
individuals from birth until death. Registrations are made for ev-
ery 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 (Direc-
tor of the Legal Affairs Bureau or the District Legal Affairs Bu-
reau) gives advice, suggestions or directions to ensure that the
work of registration is performed in a smooth, proper and uni-
form manner throughout the country.
There are people who are not entered in a family register be-
cause 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/min-
ji04_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.
The deposit system is designed to accomplish a certain legal
objective by having a person entrust a sum of money or negotia-
ble 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 enti-
tled 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.
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:
❶ work related to naturalization when a foreign national wishes
to acquire Japanese nationality (citizenship)
❷ work related to applications for acquisition of Japanese nation-
ality
❸ work related to applications for renouncement of Japanese na-
tionality
❹ work related to the choice of nationality by a person who has
dual nationality
❺ work related to recognition of Japanese nationality
❻ consultation concerning nationality
Meanwhile, an amended Nationality Act was enacted on Janu-
ary 1, 2009. The amended act has changed the conditions for ac-
quiring Japanese nationality, under the provision of the third arti-
cle of the Nationality Act, and has established penal regulations.
◆だいやまーくFamily Registration
◆だいやまーくDeposit (Kyotaku) Administration
◆だいやまーくNationality Administration
Statistics on Family Registration (from Apr. 2015 to Mar. 2016)
Number of Deposits (from Apr. 2015 to Mar. 2016)
Total Number of Naturalizations Approved
1,492,785
1,603,839
1,665,545
376,508
1,484,957
6,623,634
Marriages
Others
Deaths
Divorces
Births
Total
■しかく ■しかく
299,085
259,620
293,151,036,511
302,869,933,067
Number of Cases Amount of Money
Deposits received
Deposits paid out
Deposits receivedyenyen
Deposits paid out
15,251
14,104
9,46905000
10000
15000
20000
1995 2005 2015 year
(persons)26 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 prepa-
ration of the contract in advance and check the legality and the
validity of the contents, this system guarantees the protection of
individual’s rights and helps prevent possible future legal dis-
putes. 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 in-
corporation and attaching fixed dates.
With regard to digital documents notaries are capable of certifi-
cation of private electromic or magretic records, attachment of
fixed dates and preservation and certification of digital informa-
tion (electric notary system).
Notaries are appointed by the Minister of Justice, and their in-
struction and supervision is also performed under the Minister of
Justice (Legal Affairs Bureau directors, District Legal Affairs Bu-
reau directors).
About 500 notaries are working in about 300 notary offices
throughout the country.
◆だいやまーくNotary System
PICK UP!
Improvement of Basic Laws on Civil Matters
The world, is changing rapidly in aspects such as
the living environment, etc. Will laws be reviewed?AQ
There 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 children born in wedlock
and out of wedlock following a decision of
unconstitutionality in a case judged by the
Supreme Court on September 4th of that year.
Moreover, in 2016, another partial amend-
ment was made to the Civil Code to shorten
the six-month remarriage waiting period to
100 days following a decision of unconstitu-
tionality in a case judged by the Supreme
Court on December 16th, 2015.
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, in
October 2016, the Ministry has sent a
proposal for a bill to amend sections of
Commercial Code regarding regulations
governing transport and maritime commerce
(corporate activities involving the use of
ocean-going ships, such as sea transport) to
the Diet.
●くろまるCivil Procedural Laws
In 2013, in accordance with Japan’s adoption
of statutes of the Hague Convention on the
Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction
(Hague Convention 1980) regarding the
international abduction of children, laws
necessary for the enactment of the Conven-
tion (laws concerning civil cases of interna-
tional abduction of children) were passed.
Also, concerning civil procedural laws, in
February 2016, the Ministry has sent a propos-
al for a bill to amend sections of Personal
Status Litigation Act etc. regarding
regulations governing international
jurisdiction with regard to litigation
regarding personal status and
domestic relations to the Diet.
RealizationofBasic
RightsforPeople3 27
3 Realization of Basic Rights for People
Promotion and Protection of Human Rights
(Human Rights Counseling, Investigation and Remedies Measures, Human Rights Awareness-raising, etc.)
Associations of human rights volunteers
(Report, adjustment, research, and opinion
exchange, etc. between human rights volunteers)
About 14,000 Human Rights Volunteers in cities,
towns and villages all over Japan
(Apr. 1, 2017)
Ministry of Justice (Human Rights Bureau)
Human Rights Division of
District Legal Affairs Bureau
Human Rights Department of
Legal Affairs Bureau
Branch Bureau (261)
The human rights volunteers councils (314)
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)
Chart of Human Rights Organizations
There are various human rights violation cases (cases where
human rights violations are suspected): assault and maltreat-
ment against women, children, the elderly, etc.; bullying at
schools; compulsion and coercion in the forms of sexual harass-
ment, "power harassment" and stalking behavior; and defamation
and invasion of privacy on the Internet. Pertaining to these hu-
man 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 ad-
vice, 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 import-
ant duties of the human rights bodies. The aims of awareness-rais-
ing are to make sure that the necessity and importance of respect-
ing human rights are understood by the people and the idea of
respecting human rights is spread among the people.
●くろまるAwareness-raising Activities
Awareness-raising activities are widely carried out for the gen-
eral 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, lec-
tures, movie events; organizing various events; and utilizing mass
media such as TV, Radio and the Internet.
●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
■しかく Investigation and Remedies Measures for
Human Rights Violation Cases
■しかく Awareness-raising for Human Rights
Number of Human Rights Violation Cases
(from Jan. 1 to Dec.31, 2015)
20,999
3,883
3,761
2,756
2,173
2,488
2,297
1,511741329221209111519
assault,
maltreatment
bullying in
schools
violation of
the security of
residence and living
compulsion, coercion
violation of the rights
of workers
defamation and invasion
of privacy
violation of
rights by
school teachers
violation of rights
by other public officials
violation of rights
in welfare facility
violation of rights
by special public officials
violation of rights
by prison officials
others
Newly
received cases
discriminatory
treatment
poster"STOP!HATE SPEECH"28RealizationofBasic
RightsforPeople3Chinese・Korean・English・Filipino・Portuguese・Vietnamese
The human rights counseling services on the Internet 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 http://www.moj.go.jp/k/SOUDAN/
JINKEN/index_k15.htmle(with a nationwide number)
(with a nationwide toll-free number)
(with a nationwide number)
(with a nationwide number)
Counseling Services
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 con-
sulter’s disposition.
The counseling services are free of charge, easy to use and strictly
confidential.
●くろまるHuman Rights Counseling Centers
Human rights counseling centers are permanently-installed at
Legal Affairs Bureaus, District Legal Affairs Bureaus and their
branches across the nation; 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Children’s Rights SOS Mini-Letters
Legal Affairs Bureaus and District Legal Affairs Bureaus are ac-
tively responding to consultations by children through "Chil-
dren’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 hu-
man-rights problems involving children (e.g. bullying and corpo-
ral punishment at school and abuse of children at home).
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 officials of the Legal Affairs
Bureaus and the District Legal Affairs Bureaus.
of enabling junior high school students to deepen their under-
standing 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 aim-
ing to deepen a feeling of compassion and to learn the precious-
ness of life among children by creating opportunities to think
about bullying, and so on. The classes are aimed mainly at ele-
mentary 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 ac-
tivity 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.
■しかく Human Rights Counseling
■しかく Human Rights Volunteers
The human rights
flower campaign
"Parents-Children Symposium" on Hansen’s Disease
Children’s Rights SOS Mini-Letters
(for elementary school students)
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 en
まもる君・人K 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
Human Rights Campaign Characters 293 Realization of Basic Rights for People
Legal Services
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 qual-
ification examination anew.
To become "Gaiben", the qualified foreign lawyers must be ap-
proved 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 Reg-
istered Foreign Lawyers kept by the Japan Federation of Bar Asso-
ciations.
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 man-
age and collect specified monetary claims provided for by the Ser-
vicer Act.
The Ministry of Justice is responsible for examining and screen-
ing 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 sys-
tem, has introduced a system in which the Minister of Justice cer-
tifies private dispute resolution services (conciliation and inter-
cession 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 reso-
lution of a civil dispute between parties who seek, with the in-
volvement of a fair third party, a resolution without using legal
procedures).
Certified dispute resolution business operators (private busi-
nesses certified by the Minister of Justice) are engaged in resolv-
ing disputes, utilizing their professional knowledge and experi-
ence, in order to accurately meet the diverse needs of the people.
■しかく Attorney Certification System
■しかく Gaikokuho-Jimu-Bengoshi
■しかく Claim Management and Collection Companies (Servicers)
■しかく Certified Dispute Resolution Business Operators
The number of certified dispute resolution business operators
increased from 10 in FY2007 when the system was launched to
over 145 in FY2016. The fields of disputes handled have become
more diversified and the accessibility to the system has been fur-
ther improved.
The Ministry of Justice is responsible for work concerning the
certification of private dispute resolution services, and undertak-
ing various efforts to ensure that procedures for conciliations,
etc., taken by certified dispute resolution operators will be used
extensively as an accessible means of resolving disputes.
認証紛争解決サービス
http://www.moj-go.jp/KANBOU/ADR/index.html
認証紛争解決サービス
Judicial scriveners are legal experts who contribute to protect-
ing 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 pro-
cedures on behalf of clients at summary courts. Furthermore,
since 2006, they have been able to undertake proceedings as rep-
resentatives in identifying registered land parcel boundary de-
marcations 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 proceed-
ings to identify registered land parcel sections, are able to under-
take 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 desig-
nated by the Minister of Justice and the operations are to be car-
ried out jointly with attorneys-at-law.
The Civil Affairs Bureau of the Ministry of Justice is responsible
for the land and house investigators system.
■しかく Judicial Scriveners
■しかく Land and House Investigators30RealizationofBasic
RightsforPeople3Implementation of Comprehensive Legal Support by the Japan Legal Support Center
The Comprehensive Legal Support Act was approved at the
2004 ordinary Diet session. The Act is based on the Comprehen-
sive Legal Support Plan, which is designed to provide all citizens
in Japan with necessary information and services for legal solu-
tions 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Japan Legal Support Center (Houterasu)
The Japan Legal Support Center (Houterasu), established with-
in 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 im-
plementing 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" ex-
presses the belief that it can "shed light on the confused minds of
those who are suffering from troubles by providing a path to set-
tlement based on the law" and "be a place like a sunny terrace
where everyone can relax."
■しかく What is the Comprehensive Legal Support Plan?
The principal operations of Japan Legal Support Center
(Houterasu) consist of the following five (5) services as pre-
scribed in Article 30, Paragraph 1 of the Act:
❶ Information Services
❷ Civil Legal Aid
❸ Legal Aid for Criminal Defense
❹ Measures for Areas with Limited Legal Services
❺ Support for Victims of Crime
Another service area for the Houterasu is coordinating and en-
couraging 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 nation-
al 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 Ja-
pan Earthquake.
■しかく Outline of the Operations of
the Japan Legal Support Center (Houterasu)
Coordinationandcooperation
Consultation
Provision of
information/
services
for settlement of
legal problems)cilbuPlareneG(sresU
☎ 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 31Prosecution
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-prosecution
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 s
Guidance 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
Enforcement of Proper Criminal Policy4Flow of Criminal Cases Committed by Adults
1,371,637 1,371,6378.9%30.9%
40.6%8.5%39.5% 60.5%
7.6% 48.9%
3.5% 3.3%
27.1%
19.0%
13.1%1.7%5.8%
54.0%
Total
persons
Theft
Road Traffic
Law violations
Causing death or
injury through
negligence in
vehicle driving
Other offenses
Special law
offenses
Penal Code
offenses
Other offenses
Suspension of
institution of
prosecution
Injury
Insufficient
evidence
for prosecution
Total
persons
Prosecutions
instituted
Other decisions
Other decisions
Other
dispositions
Referrals to
the family courtNon-prosecution
■しかくBy dispositions rendered
■しかくBy type and name of offense
●くろまるThe proportion is rounded off to the first decimal places. Therefore,the sum of the composition rates do not add up to 100.0.
Percentage Breakdown of Cases (Offenders) Handled at the Public Prosecutors Offices Across the Country (2015)
■しかく Flow of Criminal Cases Committed by Adults〈Figure 1〉32EnforcementofProper
Criminal
Policy413,570 3,46082■しかく169492156283181■しかく
1,242855318
568 3,8643971,2574514,586
2,129
Forcible indecency・Forcible indecency
causing death of injury
Stimulant drugs
Fraud Injury
Road traffic
violations
Theft
Other
Breaking into
a Residence
Acts of negligence
causing death or injury
Robbery・causing death
or injury through
robbery Stimulant drugs
Road traffic
violations
Fraud
Injury
Theft
Others
Probationers under Suspended Sentence
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
Total
Number of Persons Newly Commencing Their Probation/Parole According to Offense Types (2015)
●くろまるFigure 1 shows the flow of criminal offenses committed by
adults.
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 cas-
es 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 recog-
nize the accused as guilty, the courts hand down a sentence, such
as the death penalty, penal servitude, imprisonment or a fine. In
the case of penal servitude or imprisonment for three years or
less, the prison term may be suspended due to extenuating cir-
cumstances, 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 adminis-
tered 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 treat-
ment.
Those who are incapable of paying the full amount of a penalty
or fine will be detained in a workhouse attached to a penal insti-
tution.
❺ Probation Office
Inmates may be released on parole in accordance with a deci-
sion by the regional parole board even before the expiration of
their term, and such parolees are placed under probationary su-
pervision while they are on parole. Also, those who have been
given a suspended sentence on the condition of probation and
the sentence has been settled are placed under probationary su-
pervision during the period of suspension.
These parolees/probationers receive guidance and assistance
from the probation officers at probation offices and volunteer
probation officers for their rehabilitation and 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.
Number of Newly Committed Inmates, by Offense (2015)01,000
2,000
3,000
4,000
5,000
6,000
7,000
8,000
21,539231546
1,53897199276288
7,133
1,0731811,886
5,991633Penal Code offenses 13,509 Special law offenses 8,030
(persons)
Total
Homicide
Robbery
Others
OthersRoadtraffic
violations
Firearmsandswords
Professional
negligenceandnegligenceinvehicle
driving
Theft
Bodily
injury
Extortion
Fraud
Stimulant
drugs
Rape,
indecent
assault 334 Enforcement of Proper Criminal Policy
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 court
Handling Juvenile Crimes and Delinquencies
■しかく Flow of Proceedings for Juvenile Delinquents〈Figure 2〉
Correctional facilities are supported by community volunteers,
such as volunteer visitors and chaplains.
Volunteer visitors are those who help reformation and rehabilita-
tion 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 volunteers supporting correctional facilities
Community volunteer34EnforcementofProper
Criminal
Policy411,868 2,87183■しかく211506172183
■しかく
1,0305532917341,9982801,6723554,233
2,305133Forcible indecency・Forcible indecency
causing death of injury
Juvenile Training School Parolees
Robbery・causing death
or injury through
robbery
Injury
Fraud Road traffic
violations
Juvenile Probationers
Theft
Others
●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
Breaking into
a residence
Acts of negligence
causing death or injury
Injury
Extortion
Road traffic
violations
Assault
Theft
Others
Extortion
Total
Number of Persons Newly Commencing Probation/Parole According to Types of Delinquency (2015)
●くろまるFigure 2 shows the flow of proceedings for juvenile delinquents.
❶ Police etc.
When juvenile suspects are arrested by the police the cases are
transferred to public prosecutors, in principle, after investigations
are completed.
❷ Public 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 delin-
quents 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.
❸ Family Court
A family court orders investigators to conduct investigations on
relevant juveniles, including their dispositions and family back-
grounds, and/or send them to a juvenile classification home for
assessment.
❹ Juvenile Classification Home
A Juvenile classification home conducts assessments of juve-
niles based on expertise in medicine, pedagogy, etc. and submits
the results to a family court.
❺ Family 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 with-
out 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 custo-
dy as a result of adjudication process based on the above-men-
tioned 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 proba-
tion 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.
❻❼ Sending of Juveniles to Public Prosecutors and Indictment
When a family court finds it reasonable to impose criminal pun-
ishment 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 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 proba-
tion, 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 for reha-
bilitation of juvenile delinquents and a smooth return to society.
Number of Juveniles Newly Committed to Juvenile Training
Schools According to Delinquent Types (2015)02004006008001,000149883549122 1296044018872 69 82
2,743
Robbery
Theft
Bodily
injury
Extortion
Rape,
indecent
assault
Negligenceinvehicle
driving
OthersRoadtraffic
violations
Stimulant
drugs,
poisonous
agents
Others
Pre-delinquency
Penal Code offenses 2,332 Special law offenses 329
Total
(persons)
Pre-delinquency82 354 Enforcement of Proper Criminal Policy
What is the Rehabilitation of Offenders?
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 car-
ried 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 con-
ditions.
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 fam-
ily courts, those released on parole from prisons or juvenile train-
ing 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 de-
linquency.
Probation officers are full-time government officials of the Min-
istry 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, welfare 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 relat-
ing 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. 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 guid-
ance and assistance to those who have committed crimes or have
turned to juvenile delinquency in the community 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 gov-
ernment officers, but they are not paid salaries, except for the ex-
penses involved in their activities.
Regional Parole Boards
Probation Offices
Probation Officers
Volunteer Probation Officers
Of all the persons who have been placed on parole/probation-
ary supervision or released from prison, offender rehabilitation
facilities accommodate those who have no proper place to live
and give them living guidance and vocational trainings so that
they will be able to live independently at the earliest possible
date. There are 103 such facilities in the country, mainly 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.
Exterior of an Offenders Rehabilitation Facility
The Women’s Association for Rehabilitation Aid is an organiza-
tion composed of female volunteers who cooperate in communi-
ty 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 about166,000 volunteer members across the country.
They are not only engaged in educational activities for preven-
tion of crime and delinquency, but also in a wide range of activi-
ties rooted in the community, such as the following: activities for
sound upbringing of youth; child-support activities; rehabilita-
tion 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" orga-
nized by young volunteers who make friends with and give assis-
tance 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 situ-
ations (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 4,700 members are en-
gaged in the activities.
Offenders Rehabilitation Facilities
Women's Association for Rehabilitation Aid
BBS Association
The badge is designed by the late Sagenji
Yoshida, Professor Emeritus at the Tokyo Univer-
sity 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.
Badge of Volunteer Probation Officers36EnforcementofProper
Criminal
Policy4 "Cooperative Employers" are those who willingly offer employ-
ment 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 16,000
such employers across the country who cooperate in this field.
Cooperative Employers
The National Center for Offenders Rehabilitation is established
and operated to provide parolees from penal institutions or juve-
nile training schools, who cannot secure the necessary social sur-
roundings for their smooth reintegration into society from their
relatives or private-sector offender rehabilitation facilities, with
lodging at state-established facilities where probation officers di-
rectly provide them with intensive supervision and generous em-
ployment assistance, thereby encouraging their rehabilitation
and preventing them from committing further offenses.
Among these facilities, the organizations that perform selec-
tive, specialized treatment in society in accord with the relevant
specific problem are called the "National Center for Offenders Re-
habilitation," while other organizations that provide vocational
trainings primarily in agriculture are called the "National Center
for Offenders Job Training and Employment Support."
The "National Centers for Offenders Rehabilitation" is estab-
lished and operated in Kitakyushu and Fukushima City, while the
"National Centers for Offenders Job Training" is established and
operated in Hokkaido (Numata-cho) and Ibaraki (Hitachinaka
City).
National Centers for Offenders Rehabilitation
Ensuring that those who have committed a crime are able
to rehabilitate themselves and become law-abiding members
of society is a task, which could not be achieved by the gov-
ernment alone. Activities of offender rehabilitation volun-
teers, including Volunteer Probation Officers, the Women’s
Association for Rehabilitation Aid, BBS (Big Brothers and
Sisters Movement) Association, and Cooperative Employers
have been of a great help.
If you are interested in participating in such activities,
please contact your nearest Parole Office.
Why Not Join Offenders Rehabilitation Volunteers?
The National Center for Offender Rehabilitation in Fukuoka (Kitakyushu City)
The National Center for Offender Job Training and Employment Support in Hokkaido
(Numata-cho, Uryu-gun)
In June 2016 the "Act for Partial Revision of the Penal Code" and the "Act for Partial Suspension of Sentence for Criminals Con-
victed of Drug Use and Others" were enforced to provide for suspension of part of a criminal’s sentence. The system of the Partial
Suspended Execution of Sentence introduced by the 2 laws mentioned above enabled judges to partially suspend execution of the
sentence for 1-5 years in rendering a sentence of imprisonment with or without labor for term not exceeding 3 years. This system
aims to prevent recidivism and help offenders to rehabilitate themselves by securing a period of treatment in prison, followed by a
longer period of treatment in society.
Under this system, during the period of suspended sentence, those who do not have previous records of sentences heavier than
imprisonment without work are put on probation on a discretional basis while those who have been imprisoned with work be-
cause of drug use and other substance issues are put on probation on a mandatory basis.
System for Partial Suspension of Sentence 374 Enforcement of Proper Criminal Policy
Securing of Volunteer Probation Officers Stably
Improvement and Enhancement of Treatment in Correctional Facilities
Measures Under the Medical Treatment and Supervision for Persons
Who Have Caused Serious Cases Under the Condition of Insanity.
Volunteer probation officers are volunteers who support reha-
bilitation of offenders in the community and who play the most
important role in the Japanese offender rehabilitation system.
Reflecting the recent growing awareness towards preventing re-
cidivism among the public, their expectations for and interests in
volunteer probation officers are increasing more than ever. On
the other hand, there has been a downward trend in the number
■しかく Current Volunteer Probation Officer System
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
■しかく Smooth Enforcement of Act on Penal Detention
Facilities and Treatment of Inmates and Detainees
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 for-
eign countries, the Ministry of Justice manages some penal insti-
tutions through joint operation between the public and private
sectors using the PFI (Private Finance Initiative), which utilizes
The Medical Treatmentand Supervision for Persons Who Have
Caused Serious Cases under the condition of Insanity is a system
which gives persons, who have committed murder, arson, proper
medical care and required surveillance, and instruction to prevent
them from committing such acts again and help them return to
society.
of volunteer probation officers, partly due to the influence of so-
cietal changes such as weakened human relationships in the com-
munity. In fact (although the number increased from 2015 to
2016), the number of volunteer probation officers decreased
from 2016 to 2017. Securing the necessary number of volunteer
probation officers is a major challenge for maintaining the sys-tem. Against these circumstances, based on the suggestions written
in the report submitted to the Rehabilitation Bureau of the Minis-
try of Justice by the "Study Group on Improving the Volunteer
Probation Officer System" launched in March 2011, Ministry of
Justice is working on various strategies for recruiting volunteer
probation officers constantly and reinforcing the system of volun-
teer probation officers.
For example, local volunteer probation officers associations
hold "Volunteer Probation Officer Candidate Information Meet-
ings" to secure appropriate candidates to become volunteer pro-
bation officers from a broader cross-section of the population.
Also, "Internship for Volunteer Probation Officer"is conducted for
local residents to experience some activities of volunteer proba-
tion officers. There are in total 459 "Offenders Rehabilitation Sup-
port Centers" nationwide in FY2016; the centers are the hub for
offenders’ rehabilitation activities of volunteer probation officers.
The number of the centers are tried increasing.
The volunteer probation officer organizations and the national
government work together towards the stable securement of vol-
unteer probation officers and the support for volunteer probation
officers’ activities, so that Japan can sustainably develop its world-
class volunteer probation system.
■しかく Efforts of the Ministry of Justice
The Probation Offices have psychiatric social workers, known as
"Rehabilitation Coordinators" who work in collaboration with
medical institutions designated by the Minister of Health, Labor
and Welfare and related local institutions to promote such indi-
viduals to return to society.
Changes in the Number of Volunteer Probation Officers (2010-2017)
48,851
48,664
48,221
47,990
47,914 47,872
47,939 47,909
47,000
47,500
48,000
49,500
49,000
2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016
(persons)201738
EnforcementofProper
Criminal
Policy4private capital, ingenuity and know-how. In those penal institu-
tions, the Ministry is trying to enrich and develop correctional
treatment by incorporating programs such as the Training Pro-
gram for Guide Dog Puppies for the Blind, which has never been
realized in prisons, in cooperation with the Japan Guide Dog As-
sociation (a public interest incorporated foundation).
The Ministry of Justice will tackle the issue of smooth imple-
mentation 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 abil-
ity of assessment on juveniles for recidivism prevention by devel-
oping and introducing a new assessment method, "Ministry of
■しかく Enhancement of Assessments of Juveniles and Community
Support Activities by Juvenile Classification Homes
Justice Case Assessment Tool (MJCA)" in order to grasp the risk of
recidivism and educational needs of each juvenile.
The homes are also working to enhance the treatment for recid-
ivism prevention by conducting assessment of juveniles under
protective measures in response to requests from juvenile train-
ing 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.). More-
over, the staff of the home provides explanation about various
topics such as delinquency, child-rearing, or educational and in-
structional 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.
PICK UP!
Further Improvement of Juvenile Correction
Recently, I frequently hear about juvenile crimes
on the news. Have you been taking any measures?AQ
The Ministry of Justice has been strengthening efforts toward
the prevention of repeat offenses by changing laws.
●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 this act, the Juvenile Training
School design an Individual Plan for Correctional
Education for each juvenile in accordance with his/her
traits, and implement programs addressing individual
problems such as drug use, sex delinquency and family
issues. The Juvenile Training School also implement, as
vocational guidance, the guidance for acquiring qualifi-
cation essentials for employment and social skill
training necessary for retaining his/her job. Thus, the
Juvenile Training School conduct appropriate correc-
tional education with the aim to prevent recidivism.
●くろまるLegal provisions for reintegration support by
Juvenile Training School
As a measure for recidivism prevention, it is import-
ant not only to provide a varied program of correction-
al education but also to support smooth reintegration
of delinquent juveniles. The new Juvenile Training
Schools Act stipulate the Juvenile Training Schools
responsibility for providing support for juveniles’
reintegration into society. Academic support such as
helping re-entry and/or transference into local high
school as well as support in finding work and
assistance for obtaining accommodations are actively
provided.
●くろまるPerforming appropriate Classification under the
Juvenile Classification Act
The new Juvenile Classification Act has also been
enacted. This new law makes it possible for juveniles
detained in Juvenile Training Schools to spend a
certain amount of time in Juvenile Classification
Homes specialized in determining the causes behind
the juvenile’s delinquency and drawing up an individu-
al treatment plan, in order to enable more detailed
classification.
●くろまるAssisting local communities by Juvenile Classifica-
tion Homes
In order to contribute to the prevention
of delinquency and crimes in local
communities, juvenile classification
homes provide advices etc. to local
people, school staff and educational
authorities with specialized knowl-
edge and skills. 39Immigration Control5PICK UP!
Measures for Smooth and Proper Immigration InspectionsAQ
In 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. Amid such circum-
stances, the Ministry of Justice has been working
to realize such measures as included in the
project,"Tourism Vision to support the future of
Japan" approved in March 2016. It is important
for theImmigrationBureau to continue proactively
working so as to quickly realize various measures
towards the achievement of a tourism-oriented
developed nation and to proceed with measures
to prevent the entry at the border of terrorists
and other persons attempting to stay illegally
in Japan in order for the Immigra-
tion Bureau to be able to protect the
security of the country and the
safety of the citizens.
I have heard that recently there has been a sudden increase in the
number of foreign tourists coming to Japan. Have you been taking any
measures with regard to the immigration inspections or procedures?
Strict 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 nation-
als in order to contribute to the realization of a tourism-oriented
developed nation.
In order to be able to facilitate the examinations, efforts have
been made to reduce the waiting time for the inspections by as-
signing "booth concierges" to the inspection areas in the airports,
and to promote the use of the automated gates by installing addi-
tional automated gates and by sending immigration officers out
to the prefectural passport offices to provide on-site "mobile reg-
istration for use of the automated gates."
In addition, a "Trusted Traveler Program" was launched in No-
vember 2016 enabling foreign nationals, who are deemed to be
"trusted travelers" having met such requirements as posing little
risk in terms of immigration control and who frequently enter Ja-
pan, to use the automated gates, and we are currently in the pro-
cess of increasing the number of automated gates.
Moreover, with regard to Japanese nationals, we are currently
proceeding with measures aimed at introducing automated gates
which will utilize facial recognition in order to streamline the re-
turn examinations 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 ef-
fect on January 1, 2015), which allows foreign passengers of
cruise ships designated by the Minister of Justice to land through
simplified procedures.
■しかく Principal Measures
Cruise Ship examinations
On-site registration using a mobile device to register as a user of the automated gates40Immigration
Control5 Foreign nationals residing in Japan are allowed to engage in
activities based on their status of residence and period of stay de-
cided when entering the country. If those foreign nationals in-
tend to change their status of residence, extend the period of stay,
or obtain permission to engage in activities other than those per-
mitted under the status of residence previously granted or re-en-
try 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 en-
sure 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 permis-
sion 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.
■しかく Residency Management of Foreign Nationals
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 stay-
ing 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 pre-
scribed 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 Con-
trol Act but who satisfy certain requirements may leave the country
through simple procedures under the "departure order system."
■しかく Deportation
An Automated Gate (Haneda Airport)
Immigration Control for Japanese and Foreign Nationals
On the basis of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recogni-
tion 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 fa-
cial photographs), except for those who are exempt from this re-
quirement, and must be interviewed by an immigration inspec-
tor. The immigration inspector conducts an inspection to check
whether the foreign national meets the conditions for entry (dis-
embarkation), such as whether the passport and visa held by the
■しかく Departure and Disembarkation (Returning) Inspections
foreign national are valid, whether his/her activities to be con-
ducted 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 depar-
ture from an immigration inspector. Immigration inspectors also
confirm the fact of departure and return of Japanese nationals.
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 au-
tomatically 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.
▶http://www.moj.go.jp/nyuukokukanri/kouhou/
nyuukokukanri01_00111.html
User registration is available at the above
four airports, as well as at Tokyo Regional
Immigration Bureau, Nagoya Regional
Immigration Bureau and Osaka Regional
Immigration Bureau.
Narita Airport, Haneda Airport,
Chubu Airport and
Kansai Airport
Speedy Immigration Examination! The "Automated Gate"- Convenient for Overseas Business or Sightseeing Trips
Airports with Automated Gates
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 415 Immigration Control
Recognition of Refugees
Japan has signed the Convention Relating to the Status of Refu-
gees 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 concern-
ing entry (disembarkation) permission for temporary asylum,
refugee status and the issuance of refugee travel documents.
Number of Foreign Residents by Nationality/Region (as of the end of Dec. 2015) Changes in the Number of Foreign Residents (as of the end of each year)
2,232,189
665,847
29.8%
457,772
20.5%
229,595
10.3%
173,4377.8%146,9566.6%558,582
25.0%
(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
Korea
Philippines
Brazil
Vietnam
Others
Total
(1.76%)
2,232,189
(1.59%)
(1.62%)
(1.07%)
(1.32%)
(1.56%)
(1.62%)
(1.67%)
(1.66%)
(1.60%)
(1.63%)
2012 2013 2014
1996 2001 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
2,066,445
(1.67%)
2,121,831
2,033,656
1,345,786
1,679,919
1,989,864
2,069,065
2,144,682
2,125,571
2,087,261
2,047,34920150
500000
1000000
1500000
2000000
(persons)
(Note 1) The parentheses ( ) show the percentages of foreign
residents with respect to the Japanese population.
(Note 2) The numbers until 2011 represent the number of foreign
nationals with alien registrations who stayed in Japan with a
status of residence eligible for mid to longterm residents and
the number of special permanent residents.
(Note 3) The numbers from 2012 onwards represent the number of
foreign nationals adding together mid to long-term residents
and special permanent residents.04002006008001,000
1,200
1,400
1,600
1,800
2,000
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
19,688,247
16,903,388
16,213,789
14,150,185
9,443,696
7,135,407
18,490,65711,255,221
9,172,146
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
2012 2013 2014 2015
Changes in the Number of Foreign Nationals Entering Japan and Japanese Nationals Departing from Japan42Immigration
Control5Point-Based Preferential Immigration Treatment for Highly Skilled Foreign Professionals
In order to promote entry of highly skilled foreign profession-
als, a point-based system that provides highly skilled foreign pro-
fessionals with preferential immigration treatment was intro-
duced on May 7, 2012.
The activities of highly skilled foreign professionals are classi-
fied into three categories: advanced academic research activities,
❶Permission for Multiple Activities During the Stay in Japan
Usually, a foreign national is only allowed to en-
gage in the activities permitted under a single sta-
tus of residence. However, a highly skilled foreign
professional may engage in activities covered by
multiple statuses of residence, such as simultane-
ously engaging in research activities at a university
and in the management of a business organization
related thereto.
❷Granting of a 5-Year Period of Stay
The legally permitted maximum period of stay
(5 years) is granted uniformly to highly skilled for-
eign professionals.
❸Relaxation of Requirements for Granting of Permission for Per-
manent 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 per-
mission for permanent residence.
❹Permission for the Spouse of the Highly-Skilled Foreign Profes-
sional to Work
Usually, when a foreign national intends to en-
gage 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 aca-
demic background, work experience and the like,
The following preferential immigration treatment is to be granted to foreign nationals recognized as a Highly Skilled Professional( ) 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 Profession-
al (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 ❸ to ❻.
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 perfor-
mance, and the like. If the total points reach 70, the foreign na-
tionals will be recognized as a Highly Skilled Foreign Professional.
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 academ-
ic background or work experience, etc.
❺Permission for Bringing Parent(s) to Accompany
a Highly-Skilled Foreign Professional to Japan
Under the current system, parents of foreign na-
tionals 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 high-
ly skilled foreign professional.
❻Permission 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 Man-
ager, etc., may employ foreign domestic workers.
However, a highly skilled foreign professional may
bring foreign domestic worker(s) to Japan subject
to certain conditions.
❼Preferential Processing of Entry and Residence
Procedures
The entry and residence inspections for highly
skilled foreign professionals will be swiftly pro-
cessed through preferential treatment.
■しかく Objectives and Outline of the System
■しかく Details of the Preferential Treatment
Activities like engaging in research,
research guidance or education based
on a contract entered
into with a public or
private organization
in Japan
●くろまるAdvanced academic research activities
Activities like engaging in work requir-
ing 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
●くろまるAdvanced specialized/technical activities
Activities like engaging in the opera-
tion or management of trade or other
business activities of
a public or private
business organiza-
tion in Japan
●くろまるAdvanced business management activities
The three categories of activities conducted by highly skilled foreign professionals 43Global Cooperation6Global
Cooperation6 The Ministry of Justice has been contributing to the development
of criminal justice policies and the capacity building of criminal jus-
tice 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 Japa-
nese 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 coopera-
tion with institutions concerned. The department has provided as-
sistance 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 pro-
viding assistance for the development of capabilities in the legal
realm for countries requesting support in the criminal justice field.
The Ministers also affirmed the importance of justice sector tech-
nical assistance for developing judicial systems and basic laws and
training for legal professionals.
The government 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 Assis-
tance" (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 em-
phasizing the conventional strategy of strengthening the "all-Japan"
support system based on cooperation between the government and
private sector. Furthermore, "The Development Cooperation Char-
ter" established by the Cabinet in February 2015 sets forth the im-
portance of legal technical assistance, which involves the develop-
ment 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 devel-
oping countries for such legal technical assistance (including train-
ing 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 rele-
vant organizations in order to help establish good governance based
on the rule of law, especially in Asia.
PICK UP!
Promotion of Global Cooperation
How does the MOJ provide assistance to people
in other countries?AQ
We 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 internation-
al 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.
Local Seminar in Laos (at the Ministry of Justice of Laos)
The 10th Regional Seminar on Good Governance for Southeast Asian Countries44Uniform and Proper Handling of Suits
Relating to the Interests of the State and the Like7 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 re-
garding management of government property, and administrative
lawsuits to seek nullification or reversal of administrative punish-
ment. The Ministry of Justice properly handles those lawsuits in
cooperation with ministries and agencies that govern administra-
tive work for lawsuits.
Among the lawsuits, there are many serious cases that may affect
the basis of politics, diplomacy, public administration, and eco-
nomics 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; law-
suits that seek nullification of permission or punishment in rela-
tion 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 suit-
able 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 Min-
istry of Justice is striving for appropriate and prompt pursuit of law-
suits in order to meet people’s expectations and demands for jus-
tice 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 dis-
putes by stating appropriate legal opinions from the perspective of
the country as a whole.
PICK UP!
Litigation
I have heard that a litigation bureau has been set up.
What does the bureau do in the rst place?AQ
Litigationis 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 govern-
ment is the party (as plaintiff or defendant). The
Ministry of Justice uniformly and appropri-
ately handles the administrative work for
these types of lawsuits.
UniformandProper
HandlingofSuits
Relatingtothe
Interestsofthe
StateandtheLike705,000
10,000
15,000
20,0001200712008
8,507
2009 2010 2012 2015 2016
2013 201420118,405
8,431
8,838
1,260 10,853
9,148
8,514
10,212
8,353
8,572
10,373
9,003
9,214
10,094
8,951
10,989
9,692
11,563
10,357
9,448
9,298
9,448
10,507
8,966 9,118
8,557
9,942
Number of
adjudicated cases
Number of cases
pending in court
Number of cases
newly received
Transition of the Number of Main Lawsuits(2007-2016)
Summaries of the Major Pending Lawsuits
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.
(This system enables searches and browsing of precedents
contained in the "Monthly Litigations," which is the information
publication of the Litigation Bureau)
http://www.moj.go.jp/shoumu/
shoumukouhou/shoumu01_00024.html
The Database for Important Litigation Precedents
http://www.shoumudatabase.moj.go.jp/
search/html/shoumu/general/
menu_general.html
The List of the Major Judgments
http://www.moj.go.jp/shoumu/
shoumukouhou/shoumu01_00023.html 45Qualifications and Employment
The national bar examination is designed to judge whether
those who wish to become judges, public prosecutors or attor-
neys-at-law have the necessary knowledge and application abili-
ties. 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 examina-
tion.
However, a time limit is set for taking the examination; the can-
didates 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
A judicial scrivener represents a client and engages in the busi-
ness involved in the various procedures for registration (commer-
cial 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 investi-
gator takes charge of the business involved in investigation, sur-
veying, and application procedures needed for registration of real
estate, among other things.
The examinations are national examinations, and they deter-
The purpose of the preliminary bar examination is to judge
whether a person who intends to take the national bar examina-
tion 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 examina-
tion consists of a short-answer test (including multiple-choice
questions), an essay test, and an oral test. There are no qualifica-
tion requirements for applicants.
▶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
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.)
mine whether candidates have the necessary knowledge and abil-
ity 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 ad-
mission procedures.
●くろまるNational Bar Examination
●くろまるExaminations to Become Judicial Scriveners or Land and House Investigators
●くろまるPreliminary Bar Examination
▶Qualification Examinations
■しかくResults of the National Bar Examination
CandidatesYearFigures in parentheses show the number of women out of the total on the left.
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%
2016 6,899 1,583(371) 28.3 22.95%
Successful
candidates
Average age
of successful
candidates
Successful
percentage
■しかくResults of the Preliminary Bar Examination
Candidates
Year Successful candidates
Figures in parentheses show the number of women out of the total on the left.
2012 7,183 219(22)
2013 9,224 351(44)
2014 10,347 356(37)
2015 10,334 394(40)
2016 10,442 405(71)
■しかくResults of the National Examination for Land and House Investigators
Land and House Investigator
Examination candidates
Successful candidates
2012 6,136 418
2013 6,017 412
2014 5,754 407
2015 5,659 403
2016 3,658 402
■しかくResults of the National Examination for Judicial Scriveners
Judicial Scrivener
Examination candidates
Successful candidates
2012 29,379 838
2013 27,400 796
2014 24,538 759
2015 21,754 707
2016 20,360 66046▶Contact: General Affairs Division of the Regional Immigration
Bureaus (Staff Division in the case of Tokyo Regional Immigra-
tion Bureau) Immigration Detention Centers
Immigration control officers are as-
signed to regional immigration bu-
reaus, offices or branch offices, or to
immigration detention centers. They
perform tasks related to the detection
of illegal immigrants or over-stayers, in-
vestigation 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 in-
mates 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 de-
struction of evidence as well as giving
consideration to ensure fair trial.
Quali
cationsandEmployment
▶Contact: Personnel Division, Minister's Secretariat, Ministry of
Justice
Those who are employed from the category of public adminis-
tration, politics/international matters, law, economics, engineer-
ing 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: Personnel Section, Regional Correction Headquarters
Correctional psychologists work at juvenile classification homes, penal institutions or juvenile training
school as professional staff (MOJ technical official (psychology)) making use of their specialized knowledge
and skills. They provide guidelines for treatment of detained juveniles etc. based on the analysis of the caus-
es of delinquency or criminal acts through interviews and psychological tests, and carry out treatment pro-
grams in penal institutions and juvenile training schools.
▶Contact: Personnel Section, Regional Correction Headquarters
Ministry of Justice instructors work mainly at juvenile training
schools or juvenile classification homes to develop the individu-
ality and abilities of juveniles and to ensure their smooth return
to society based on the instructorsʼ broad range of vision and ex-
pertise. To that end, they provide specialized education (correc-
tional education), including lifestyle guidance and course educa-
tion, and also conduct treatment of observation and protection.
At prisons, the instructors are engaged in employment support
instruction, course instruction, and so on.
▶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 delin-
quents from repeating offenses; they also provide support on so-
cial rehabilitation. Specifically, they provide criminals and juve-
nile delinquents with instruction through interviews and
treatment programs as well as job assistance, based on expert
knowledge about psychology, pedagogy, welfare and sociology.
▶Contact: General Affairs Section, Facilities Division, Minister's
Secretariat (architecture, electrical engineering and mechani-
cal engineering) / Local offices which intend to employ officials
(public administration)
Aside from those who are employed by the Facilities Division,
Ministerʼs Secretariat (architecture, electrical engineering and
mechanical engineering), those who are employed from the pub-
lic administration category are generally assigned to the local of-
fices outside the Ministry.
The Ministry of Justice employs officials from among those who have passed the Examination for Comprehensive Service, Examina-
tion for General Service, the Employment Examination for the Ministry of Justice Specialized Staff (Human Sciences), Prison Officersʼ
Employment Examination and Immigration Control Officersʼ Employment Examination.
●くろまるExamination for Comprehensive Service
●くろまるImmigration Control Officers Employment Examination ●くろまるPrison Officers Employment Examination
●くろまるEmployment Examination for the Ministry of Justice Specialized Staff (Human Sciences)
Correctional Psychology Profession
Ministry of Justice Instructor Probation Officers
●くろまるExamination for General Service
(college graduates and high school graduates)
▶Employment Examination for Services
Imperial
Palace
Hibiya Park
Kasumigaseki Sta. Sakuradamon Sta.
SakuradamonGateMoatMoatMoat.rtSirobihcUWestGate
[Ministry of Justice]
Ministry of
Justice Museum(3F)Leads to the Diet
Central Government
Office No.6-A
Red-Brick Building
Leads to Mita Line, Hibiya Line,
JR Yurakucho Sta.MoreMaterials related to the Saiban-in (lay judge) system
and the Houterasu center are also on display
ACTION!
■しかくMinistry of Justice Museum Tel:
03-3592-7911
■しかくMinistry of Justice Website "Welcome to the Ministry of
Justice Museum-Message Gallery" (Japanese-only)
E-mail:renga1@i.moj.go.jp http://www.moj.go.jp/
housei/tosho-tenji/housei06_00004.html
Ministry of Justice Museum-
Message Gallery
The Ministry of Justice Museum-Message Gallery inside the red-brick
building of the Ministry consists of a room restored to its original appear-
ance (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.
The Museum exhibits materials concerning the activities of the
old Ministry of Justice 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.
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.
Ministry of Justice Red-Brick Building,
1-1-1 Kasumigaseki, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
●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
From Monday to Friday/Free admission
(Closed on Saturdays, Sundays, national holidays,
the year-end and New Year holidays)
From 10:00 a.m. through 6:00 p.m.
(No admission after 5:30 p.m.)
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.
L o c a t i o n
A c c e s s
O p e n
O p e n h o u r s
Reservations
In the Museum-Message Gallery
Birth of the Red-Brick Building and Architectural Techniques
German architects
Left : W. Böckmann
Right : H. Ende
Dining room of the old Justice Minister's of cial residence
G. Boissonade, a French jurist,
and a draft of the old Japanese Penal Code
Making
the Ministry
of Justice
Familiar
Visit
Modernization
of the Judiciary
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 concern-
ing the establishment of the building, which has now been designated as a cultur-
al asset symbolizing the modernization of the Japanese architectural techniques,
and also the project of remodeling and restoration to its old, original appearance.
Architectural
Modernization
and a draft of the old Japanese Penal Code
and also the project of remodeling and restoration to its old, original appearance.47Imperial
Palace
Hibiya Park
Kasumigaseki Sta. Sakuradamon Sta.
SakuradamonGateMoatMoatMoat.rtSirobihcUWestGate
[Ministry of Justice]
Ministry of
Justice Museum(3F)Leads to the Diet
Central Government
Office No.6-A
Red-Brick Building
Leads to Mita Line, Hibiya Line,
JR Yurakucho Sta.MoreMaterials related to the Saiban-in (lay judge) system
and the Houterasu center are also on display
ACTION!
■しかくMinistry of Justice Museum Tel:
03-3592-7911
■しかくMinistry of Justice Website "Welcome to the Ministry of
Justice Museum-Message Gallery" (Japanese-only)
E-mail:renga1@i.moj.go.jp http://www.moj.go.jp/
housei/tosho-tenji/housei06_00004.html
Ministry of Justice Museum-
Message Gallery
The Ministry of Justice Museum-Message Gallery inside the red-brick
building of the Ministry consists of a room restored to its original appear-
ance (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.
The Museum exhibits materials concerning the activities of the
old Ministry of Justice 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.
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.
Ministry of Justice Red-Brick Building,
1-1-1 Kasumigaseki, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
●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
From Monday to Friday/Free admission
(Closed on Saturdays, Sundays, national holidays,
the year-end and New Year holidays)
From 10:00 a.m. through 6:00 p.m.
(No admission after 5:30 p.m.)
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.
L o c a t i o n
A c c e s s
O p e n
O p e n h o u r s
Reservations
In the Museum-Message Gallery
Birth of the Red-Brick Building and Architectural Techniques
German architects
Left : W. Böckmann
Right : H. Ende
Dining room of the old Justice Minister's of cial residence
G. Boissonade, a French jurist,
and a draft of the old Japanese Penal Code
Making
the Ministry
of Justice
Familiar
Visit
Modernization
of the Judiciary
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 concern-
ing the establishment of the building, which has now been designated as a cultur-
al asset symbolizing the modernization of the Japanese architectural techniques,
and also the project of remodeling and restoration to its old, original appearance.
Architectural
Modernization48MakingtheMinistryofJusticeMoreFamiliar
CONSTITUTION WEEK (May 1-7)
■しかくPublic Information Office, Ministry of Justice
(Secretarial Division, Minister’s Secretariat) TEL:
03-3580-4111
(2053)
Please check
the latest information
about the events on
the Ministry of Justice
website.
Contact information for tours and events of the Ministry of Justice
Ministry of Justice
website
Let’s Visit the
Ministry of Justice!
"Kids Room"
Let’
s Visit the Ministry of Justice!
A Field Trip to
the Ministry of Justice
Let’
s Participate in these Events
To coincide with Law Day
(Oct. 1), a day officially desig-
nated as a time for citizens to
think about the role and impor-
tance of law, events are held each year on the first Saturday of October. In
2016, a "Japan Law Day Festival in Red-Brick Building" event was held in
which public prosecutors performed mock trial suspect questioning
sessions, participants teamed with legal professionals to stage mock trials
or experience the educational programs conducted at juvenile detention
homes, among other events were ones for elementary school students
where law instructors taught
students about the impor-
tance of rules, and comic
storytellers told rakugo stories
with a trial by a magistrate in
Japan’ s feudal period theme.
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.
Every year, one week from May 1 to 7 around "Constitution Day"
on May 3 is designated as "Constitution Week" . During this Week,
various programs and events are conducted on a nationwide scale
designed to spread knowledge 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.
NOTARIZATION WEEK
October 1-7
Every year, one week from Octo-
ber 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 exten-
sively carried out in all parts of the
country.
Sponsored by the Ministry of Justice and Japan
National Notaries Association
HUMAN RIGHTS
VOLUNTEERS’ DAY
In commemoration of
the day of enactment of
the Human Rights Volun-
teers Act (June 1, 1949),
the 1st of June was named
"Human Rights Volunteers’ Day." Every year
around this day, Human Rights Volunteers carry
out activities nationwide by setting up ad-hoc
centers for human rights counseling and conduct-
ing activities for human rights awareness-raising
JAPAN LAW DAY WEEK
October 1-7
"Japan Law Day" originates from
"Judicial Memorial Day (Shiho-kinen-
bi)" which was inaugurated on Octo-
ber 1, 1929 to commemorate enact-
ment of the Jury Law on October 1 of
the previous year, and on June 24,
1960, the Cabinet decided to desig-
nate the 1st of October every year as
"Law Day".
Every year, the week starting on
October 1, Japan Law Day, is desig-
nated 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.
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 in July each year across the country.
These activities call for cooperation in and under-
standing of the rehabilitation of offenders.
Photo of an of cial explaining the duties of the Ministry in the brie ng room Red-Brick Building and Central Government Of ce No.6-A
Poster
"Human rights volunteers"
A mock trial suspect questioning session
Host: Ministry of Justice/
Supreme Public Prosecutors Of ce
A trial session of Juvenile Training School Education
●くろまるConstitution Week
●くろまるPreventing Repeat Offenses Awareness Month
●くろまるThe Brighter Society Campaign
●くろまるNationwide Promotion Week
for Counseling on the Human
Rights of the Elderly and the Disabled
●くろまるNationwide Women's Rights
Hotline Promotion Week
●くろまるJapan Law Day
●くろまるNotarization Week
●くろまるNationwide Legal Affairs Bureau Holiday Counseling
●くろまるHuman Rights Week
●くろまるThe North Korea Human Rights Abuses Awareness Week
●くろまるIllegal Work Prevention Campaign
●くろまるHuman Rights Volunteers’ Day
●くろまるNationwide Children’s Rights Hotline Promotion Week
A human rights class
Visit
Making the Ministry of Justice
More Familiar
Main Weekly and Monthly Events
of the Let’
s Visit
the Ministry of Justice!
JAPAN LAW DAY FESTA
-Feel Law Close to You-
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 2016, public prose-
cutors performed mock trial suspect questioning sessions, a program
was held in collaboration with the NHK television program "Knock out
Bullying" , children experienced
surveying inspections, juvenile
detention home employees
performed a computerized
personality analysis test, a class
conducted about human rights,
and comic storytellers told
rakugo stories for children.
Tour of Kasumigaseki
for Children456789101112123
Festival
A trial session of survering
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 Decla-
ration, and awareness-raising activities for
human rights have been carried out through-
out the country since then.
Sponsored by the Ministry of Justice and The National
Federation of Associations of Human Rights Volunteers
Poster "Human Rights Week"49CONSTITUTION WEEK (May 1-7)
■しかくPublic Information Office, Ministry of Justice
(Secretarial Division, Minister’s Secretariat) TEL:
03-3580-4111
(2053)
Please check
the latest information
about the events on
the Ministry of Justice
website.
Contact information for tours and events of the Ministry of Justice
Ministry of Justice
website
Let’s Visit the
Ministry of Justice!
"Kids Room"
Let’
s Visit the Ministry of Justice!
A Field Trip to
the Ministry of Justice
Let’
s Participate in these Events
To coincide with Law Day
(Oct. 1), a day officially desig-
nated as a time for citizens to
think about the role and impor-
tance of law, events are held each year on the first Saturday of October. In
2016, a "Japan Law Day Festival in Red-Brick Building" event was held in
which public prosecutors performed mock trial suspect questioning
sessions, participants teamed with legal professionals to stage mock trials
or experience the educational programs conducted at juvenile detention
homes, among other events were ones for elementary school students
where law instructors taught
students about the impor-
tance of rules, and comic
storytellers told rakugo stories
with a trial by a magistrate in
Japan’ s feudal period theme.
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.
Every year, one week from May 1 to 7 around "Constitution Day"
on May 3 is designated as "Constitution Week" . During this Week,
various programs and events are conducted on a nationwide scale
designed to spread knowledge 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.
NOTARIZATION WEEK
October 1-7
Every year, one week from Octo-
ber 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 exten-
sively carried out in all parts of the
country.
Sponsored by the Ministry of Justice and Japan
National Notaries Association
HUMAN RIGHTS
VOLUNTEERS’ DAY
In commemoration of
the day of enactment of
the Human Rights Volun-
teers Act (June 1, 1949),
the 1st of June was named
"Human Rights Volunteers’ Day." Every year
around this day, Human Rights Volunteers carry
out activities nationwide by setting up ad-hoc
centers for human rights counseling and conduct-
ing activities for human rights awareness-raising
JAPAN LAW DAY WEEK
October 1-7
"Japan Law Day" originates from
"Judicial Memorial Day (Shiho-kinen-
bi)" which was inaugurated on Octo-
ber 1, 1929 to commemorate enact-
ment of the Jury Law on October 1 of
the previous year, and on June 24,
1960, the Cabinet decided to desig-
nate the 1st of October every year as
"Law Day".
Every year, the week starting on
October 1, Japan Law Day, is desig-
nated 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.
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 in July each year across the country.
These activities call for cooperation in and under-
standing of the rehabilitation of offenders.
Photo of an of cial explaining the duties of the Ministry in the brie ng room Red-Brick Building and Central Government Of ce No.6-A
Poster
"Human rights volunteers"
A mock trial suspect questioning session
Host: Ministry of Justice/
Supreme Public Prosecutors Of ce
A trial session of Juvenile Training School Education
●くろまるConstitution Week
●くろまるPreventing Repeat Offenses Awareness Month
●くろまるThe Brighter Society Campaign
●くろまるNationwide Promotion Week
for Counseling on the Human
Rights of the Elderly and the Disabled
●くろまるNationwide Women's Rights
Hotline Promotion Week
●くろまるJapan Law Day
●くろまるNotarization Week
●くろまるNationwide Legal Affairs Bureau Holiday Counseling
●くろまるHuman Rights Week
●くろまるThe North Korea Human Rights Abuses Awareness Week
●くろまるIllegal Work Prevention Campaign
●くろまるHuman Rights Volunteers’ Day
●くろまるNationwide Children’s Rights Hotline Promotion Week
A human rights class
Visit
Making the Ministry of Justice
More Familiar
Main Weekly and Monthly Events
of the Let’
s Visit
the Ministry of Justice!
JAPAN LAW DAY FESTA
-Feel Law Close to You-
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 2016, public prose-
cutors performed mock trial suspect questioning sessions, a program
was held in collaboration with the NHK television program "Knock out
Bullying" , children experienced
surveying inspections, juvenile
detention home employees
performed a computerized
personality analysis test, a class
conducted about human rights,
and comic storytellers told
rakugo stories for children.
Tour of Kasumigaseki
for Children456789101112123
Festival
Poster
A trial session of survering
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 Decla-
ration, and awareness-raising activities for
human rights have been carried out through-
out the country since then.
Sponsored by the Ministry of Justice and The National
Federation of Associations of Human Rights Volunteers
Poster "Human Rights Week"
1950 in commemoration of December 10, 1948, the day that
Poster "Human Rights Week"
Poster "Human Rights Week"50MakingtheMinistryofJusticeMoreFamiliar
Civil Affairs Bureau
and you’
ll learn more!
Use it together with
Friends of the
Ministry of Justice
What is the Kids Room?
What are laws for?WORKGUIDE1Correction Bureau3Criminal Affairs Bureau2What kind of place is
the Ministry of Justice?
Rehabilitation Bureau4Litigation Bureau6Human Rights Bureau5Immigration Bureau7Research and Training Institute
of the Ministry of Justice9Judicial System
Department8Public Prosecutors Office10Public Security
Intelligence Agency12Public Security
Examination Commission11What is the Kids Room?
きっずるーむ
http://www.moj.go.jp/KIDS/
検索51This 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.
The Kids Room character
Akarenga-kun
The Kids Room character
「Dr.Brick」
The mascot for the law-related
education "Hourisu-kun"
"Akaruiine" of
Osaka Probation Of ce
"Entora-kun" of
Osaka Regional
Immigration Bureau
"Poppo-chan" of Fukuoka
Regional Immigration Bureau
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"!
It explains things
in an easy to
understand
quiz format.
We have
friends
all around the
country!
Did you learn
something about the
Ministry of Justice?
Letʼs look at what the
Ministry of Justice does
in our daily lives!
Laws are things that make us happier. Laws are rules
that help us all live together by respecting each othersʼ
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 fulfi
lling life.
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 Offi ce and the Probation Offi
ce, etc. Let us
introduce some of the mascots.
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 peopleʼs human rights are violated by things
like bullying, the Ministry investigates to fi
nd 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.
Civil Affairs Bureau
and you’
ll learn more!
Use it together with
Friends of the
Ministry of Justice
What is the Kids Room?
What are laws for?WORKGUIDE1Correction Bureau3Criminal Affairs Bureau2What kind of place is
the Ministry of Justice?
Rehabilitation Bureau4Litigation Bureau6Human Rights Bureau5Immigration Bureau7Research and Training Institute
of the Ministry of Justice9Judicial System
Department8Public Prosecutors Office10Public Security
Intelligence Agency12Public Security
Examination Commission11きっずるーむ
http://www.moj.go.jp/KIDS/
検索52MakingtheMinistryofJusticeMoreFamiliar
"Appuri" of
Aomori District Public
Prosecutors Of ce
"Jakkun" of
Nagasaki District
Legal Affairs Bureau
"Katakkuri-chan" of
Asahikawa Prison
Saitama Juvenile
Classi cation Of ce
Mascot "Saikan-kun"
A "rehabilitation penguin" "Hogo-chan"
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.
The Rehabilitation Bureau is responsible for
giving living guidance or livelihood support
in cooperation with private citizens to
offenders and juvenile delinquents so that
they are rehabilitated 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.
The Immigration Bureau is responsible for
work involved in inspections when Japanese
nationals or foreign nationals enter or
depart from Japan, proceedings for foreign
nationals staying in Japan, and deportation
of illegally staying foreign nationals. The
Bureau is also responsible for proceedings
for refugee recognition when foreign
nationals seek asylum in Japan for fear of
persecution in their own countries.
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.
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 Offi ce.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.
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.
The Public Securit y 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.
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.
The Litigation Bureau conducts work as
"attorneys for the national government."
The Bureau fi
les 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.
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 offi
cials 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.
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.Hist Centr
the Min
floors. T
the "M
"Public
wall of
from Ca
The b
Ministr
preserv
buildin
Govern
to the c
utilized
Central
in the M
the settMLKKasumigasekiSta. Human Rights
Campaign
Characters
Human Rights
Campaign
Characters
Jin-Ken-Mamoru Kun & Jin-Ken-Ayumi Chan
The mascot for the
law-related education
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 whenediuGkroW【.napaJmorftrapedroretneyeh
t 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 ❿】
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
COMPAPAP NY
○しろまる×ばつ
COMPANY
Human Rights
Campaign
Characters
Human Rights
Campaign
Characters
The mascot for the
law-related education
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 whenediuGkroW【.napaJmorftrapedroretneyeh
t 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 ❿】
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
The Ministry of Justice Building (Central Government Of ce Complex No. 6-A and the Red-Brick Building)
History of the Ministry of Justice Building
Central Government Office Complex No. 6-A, which houses
the Ministry of Justice, consists of 21 floors and 4 basement
floors. The building is functionally divided into two zones:
the "Ministry of Justice zone" on the north side and the
"Public Prosecutor Offices zone" on the south side. The outer
wall of the building is covered with dignified 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.
■しかく 10-minute walk from JR Yurakucho Station
(Yamanote Line/Keihin-Tohoku Line)
■しかく 1-minute walk from Tokyo Metro (Yurakucho Line) Sakuradamon Station
■しかく 3-minute walk from Tokyo Metro (Marunouchi Line/ Hibiya Line)
Kasumigaseki Station
■しかく 5-minute walk from Tokyo Metro (Chiyoda Line) Kasumigaseki Station
■しかく 6-minute walk from Toei Subway (Mita Line) Hibiya Station
ACCESS TO THE MINISTRY OF JUSTICE
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
YouTube MOJ Channel
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
The Ministry of Justice Building (Central Government Of ce Complex No. 6-A and the Red-Brick Building)
History of the Ministry of Justice Building
Central Government Office Complex No. 6-A, which houses
the Ministry of Justice, consists of 21 floors and 4 basement
floors. The building is functionally divided into two zones:
the "Ministry of Justice zone" on the north side and the
"Public Prosecutor Offices zone" on the south side. The outer
wall of the building is covered with dignified 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.
■しかく 10-minute walk from JR Yurakucho Station
(Yamanote Line/Keihin-Tohoku Line)
■しかく 1-minute walk from Tokyo Metro (Yurakucho Line) Sakuradamon Station
■しかく 3-minute walk from Tokyo Metro (Marunouchi Line/ Hibiya Line)
Kasumigaseki Station
■しかく 5-minute walk from Tokyo Metro (Chiyoda Line) Kasumigaseki Station
■しかく 6-minute walk from Toei Subway (Mita Line) Hibiya Station
ACCESS TO THE MINISTRY OF JUSTICE
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
YouTube MOJ Channel
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
The Ministry of Justice Building (Central Government Of ce Complex No. 6-A and the Red-Brick Building)
story of the Ministry of Justice Building
ntral Government Office Complex No. 6-A, which houses
Ministry of Justice, consists of 21 floors and 4 basement
s. The building is functionally divided into two zones:
Ministry of Justice zone" on the north side and the
lic Prosecutor Offices zone" on the south side. The outer
of the building is covered with dignified reddish granite
Canada that harmonizes well with the red-brick walls.
e building was completed on June 30, 1990 as the new
stry of Justice building. During its construction, the
ervation and restoration of the old Ministry of Justice
ding (the present red-brick building of the Central
rnment Office Complex No. 6) was discussed, and it led
e conclusion that the building should be preserved and
ed-As the only remaining historical building among the
ral Government Building Integration Project drawn up
e Meiji era, the retention of the building is essential for
etting 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.
■しかく 10-minute walk from JR Yurakucho Station
(Yamanote Line/Keihin-Tohoku Line)
■しかく 1-minute walk from Tokyo Metro (Yurakucho Line) Sakuradamon Station
■しかく 3-minute walk from Tokyo Metro (Marunouchi Line/ Hibiya Line)
Kasumigaseki Station
■しかく 5-minute walk from Tokyo Metro (Chiyoda Line) Kasumigaseki Station
■しかく 6-minute walk from Toei Subway (Mita Line) Hibiya Station
ACCESS TO THE MINISTRY OF JUSTICE
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
YouTube MOJ Channel
Hibiya Park
Ministry of
Agriculture,
Foresty &
Fisheries
Ministy of Health,
Labour & Welfare
Hibiya Str.
Iwaida Str.
Sakurada Str.
UchiboriStr.A105A1
Kasumigaseki Sta.
KasumigasekiSta.Hibiya Sta.SakuradamonSta.Ministry of
Justice
Red-Brick
Building
Tokyo High Court
Mninistry of Internal
Affairs &
Communications
Metropolitan
Police Department
Public
Prosecutors
Office