2021MIN
ISTRYOFJUSTICEOFJAPAN
MINISTRY OF JUSTICE
OF JAPAN
MINISTRY OF JUSTICE
OF JAPAN1About the Ministry of Justice
The Ministry of Justice is Connected with Everyone’s Life
Ministry of Justice’s "Seven Promises": Toward the New Age35
Structure, Historical Background,
Number of Personnel of budget base, and Budget
Outline of the Organization
Internal Departments of the Ministry of Justice
Special Agencies (Public Prosecutors Office)
Facilities
Extra-Ministerial Bureaus
(Immigration Services Agency, Public Security Intelligence Agency,
Public Security Examination Commission)79101315161718181920Contents
Toward Japan as
"the Safest Country in the World"
Establishing the Safest Country in the World
Comprehensive Measures to Prevent Recidivism
Enhancing Guidance According to Each Offender's Characteristics
Creating a Place to Belong and Work in the Community
Declaring "No Returning to Crime, No Facilitating Other's Return to Crime"
-We Will Work Toward a Bright Future in a Society Where We All Support Rehabilitation-
Emergency Measures to Prevent Recidivism by Persons with
Drug Dependencies, Elderly Offenders, and Others
–Establishment of a Long-Term Support Network to Facilitate Rehabilitation–
Act for the Prevention of Recidivism & Recidivism Prevention Plan012122Immigration Control and
Residency Management
Facial Recognition Automated Gate - Available in the Departure and Return Procedures for
Japanese Nationals and in the Departure Procedures for Foreign Nationals
Principal Measures of Immigration Controls
Points-Based System for Highly-Skilled Foreign Professionals
Deportation Operations
Efforts for Prompt and Reliable Protection for Genuine Refugees
Acceptance of New Foreign Workers and Efforts to Realize a Harmonious Society of Coexistence02252627
Promotion of Judicial System Reform
Ensuring that the Results of Justice System Reforms Take Root
Promotion of Translation of Japanese Laws
Establishing a New Criminal Justice System that Keeps Pace with the Times
Enrichment and Development of Law-Related Education
Saiban-in System03Acceleration Plan for Recidivism Prevention Plan
-Toward the Improvement of "Long-term" Support, such as the Countermeasures for
Those Released on Completion of their Full Prison Sentence-
Efforts to Achieve Safety and Security
Support for Crime Victims
Efforts Concerning Prevention of Child Abuse in the Ministry of Justice
The Ministry of Justice is
closely connected to every
member of the community.
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 accu-
rately registered; that people can live safely within the community; and that ordered materials can be ob-
tained without fail.
Furthermore, to preserve peace and order in society, it is also essential that persons who harm others or
commit a crime are appropriately punished.
The Ministry of Justice not only prescribes such basic rules applicable in society but also creates basic
judicial framework under which the rules are adhered to. It also assumes responsibility for a broad range of
legal work under which those who have been punished are assisted in their resocialization processes.
The Ministry also oversees the management of a system to help citizens exercise their personal rights,
such as the registratioan of real estate and notarization.
Other important duties of the Ministry of Justice are to ensure that the immigration control of those entering
or leaving Japan is dealt with in an appropriate manner, the basic human rights of individuals are respected,
and intelligence activities are carried out for the purpose of public security.2MINISTRY OF JUSTICE
法 が ま も る し あ わ せ283233353645464748495051525355Realization of Basic Rights for People
Legal Affairs Bureau
System for Documenting Your Rights
Improvement of Basic Civil Laws
Promotion and Protection of Human Rights
(Human Rights Counseling, Investigation and Remedy Measures
Human Rights Awareness Raising, and More)
Legal Services
Implementation of the Comprehensive Legal Support by the
Japan Legal Support Center04373941424344Enforcement of Proper Criminal Policy
Process of Criminal Cases Committed by Adults
Handling Juvenile Crimes and Delinquencies
What is Offender Rehabilitation?
Medical Treatment and Supervision Measures for Persons Who Have
Caused Serious Cases under the Condition of Insanity
Facilitating the activities of cooperating members of the private sector
Improvement and Enhancement of Treatment in Correctional Facilities
Further Improvement of Juvenile Correction05Litigation Bureau
Qualifications and Employment
Qualification Examinations
Employment Examination for Services
Making the Ministry of Justice More Familiar
●くろまるVisit
Ministry of Justice Museum and the Message Gallery
Let's Visit the Ministry of Justice!
●くろまるMain Weekly and Monthly Events of the Ministry of Justice
●くろまるKids Room
Unified and Appropriate Resolution of
Disputes Involving Japanese Government07Justice Affairs Diplomacy
Promotion of "Justice Affairs Diplomacy" by the Ministry of Justice
14th UN Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice(Kyoto Congress)
Promotion of International Cooperation
International Arbitration in Japan
Strengthening Efforts to Resolve International Legal Dispute06Human Rights Promotion
Characters
Jin-KEN-Mamoru-Kun
Jin-KEN-Ayumi-Chan
The Ministry of Justice is・Marriage → Civil Code/Family Registration (p.30)・Childbirth → Civil Code/
Family Registration (p.30)・Buying a house →
Registration System (p.28)・Storage of will (p.31)
(Wills made by holograph document)・Establishment of a company →
Commercial and Corporate Registration (p.29)・Employing foreign nationals →
System of Accepting New Foreign Workers
(p.23)・Legal problems→
Japan Legal Support Center
(Houterasu)
(p.36)
Society being"Peaceful and secure"
is the"Basis"of everyone’s life!
Everyone's Life
"Rehabilitation Penguins"
"Hogo-chan"&"Sara-chan"
Family・Property Company
Human rights counseling services
and law-related education
Legal problems
There will be changes
to the legal system!・Learning about Rulemaking,
Contracts and Dispute Resolution
→Enrichment and Development of
Law-Related Education
(p.27)・Children’s Rights SOS Mini-Letters
and Children’s Rights Hotline (p.34)・Ministry of Justice Juvenile
Support Center (p.44)
A Peaceful and Secure Society
Improvement of Laws and Regulations that
are the Foundation of Citizens’ Lives
The legal age of adulthood will be lowered to
18 on April 1, 2022.
◉ By lowering the age of adulthood, those who
are 18 and 19 years of age will be able to
conclude various contracts without parental
consent.
◉ For instance, they can buy a mobile phone or
rent an apartment to live alone.
◉ Meanwhile, some age limits on drinking alcohol,
smoking, buying betting tickets for horse and
bike races will remain at the age of 20.
・The legal age of adulthood will be lowered to 18.
Detailed information can be found here→
民法改正
〈成年年齢の引下げ〉
2022年4月1日から
になります
成年年齢が18歳
大人になる年齢
(成年年齢)
が、
18歳になります
18歳から、
親の同意がなくても契約を結べるようになります
お酒とタバコは、
引き続き20歳から
改正内容
法務省民事局参事官室 03-3580-4111
詳 しくは こちら をご 覧ください
(H31.2)
http://www.moj.go.jp/MINJI/minji07_00218.html
成年年齢の引下げについての最新情報はこちら!
●くろまる 霞が関からお知らせします
「2022年4月、
18歳は大人です〜成年年齢の引下げ〜」
https://nettv.gov-online.go.jp/prg/prg18293.html
「動画」
で分かる成年年齢/政府インターネットテレビ
●くろまる 政府インターネットテレビ
「2022年4月 成年年齢引下げ 18歳で大人! できること。
できないこと。」https://nettv.gov-online.go.jp/prg/prg18321.html3(Amendments to the Civil Code and Criminal
Code to keep pace with the times)
(Recidivism prevention measures, strict and smooth immigration and residency control,
protection of and support for crime victims, and child abuse prevention measures)
Connected with Everyone’s Life・Measures to Prevent
Recidivism (p.15)・Community volunteers
(volunteer probation officers,
cooperating employers, etc.) (p.41)・Treatment, etc. in correctional facilities (p.44)・Overseas trip
→ Immigration Control and
Residency Management (p.21)・Realization a harmonious society of
coexistence with foreign nationals(p.24)
Various events in our lives are
connected to the Ministry of
Justice!
Safety and security
Saiban-in (Lay Judge)
System Mascot
"Saiban-inko"
Foreign nationals and
immigration procedures
The purpose of the amendment to the Companies Act is to make the
operation of shareholders meeting and the execution of directors' duties
more appropriate.
◉ The procedures for determining directors' remuneration and granting
shares to directors as remuneration have become more transparent and
more appropriate for shareholders.
◉ A Listed companies, etc. is required to have at least one outside director.
◉ The new system will be established for providing
shareholders with general shareholder meeting materials
in electronic format( using websites, etc.) instead of
sending them in writing format
(※(注記)).(※(注記)) The date of enforcement of the amendment regarding the
establishment of the system for providing general shareholder
meeting materials in electronic format will be determined later.
・The Amended Companies Act came
into force in March 2021.
This amendment to the Civil Enforcement Act is aimed primarily at improving
the effectiveness of investigations into the status of debtors' property.
◉ In order to forcibly collect money from the obligor in cases of winning civil lawsuits,
etc., the obligor’s assets need to be identified in compulsory execution proceedings.
◉ With the amendment of the Civil Execution Act, which has come into force in April
2020, it has become easier to identify the obligor’s assets.・The procedures to summon the obligor to court and make him/her disclose his/her
own assets (the Assets Discovery Procedures) has been strengthened (strengthening
of the penalty, etc.).・By using court procedures, information regarding the obligor’s assets can be obtained
from certain institutions, that is, (1) information of his/her deposits and savings, etc., from
financial institutions;(2) information of his/her real estate, from registry offices; and (3)
information of his/her place of employment, from municipalities, etc.
(*) All the procedures, including (2), will become available from May 1, 2021.
・New Rules of civil execution have been
applicable since April 2020.
Detailed information
can be found here→
Detailed information
can be found here→1東京都千代田区霞が関1-1-1
TEL 03-3580-4111(代)
ホームページ https://www.moj.go.jp/
法務省民事局参事官室
会社法が
改正されます
改正の内容については法務省ホームページをご覧ください。
http://www.moj.go.jp/MINJI/minji07_00001.html
法務省民事局参事官室
TEL.03-3580-4111
(代)
http://www.moj.go.jp (法務省ホームページ)
●くろまる 取締役に対する報酬の付与や費用の補償等に
関する規定の整備
●くろまる 監査役会設置会社における社外取締役の設置の
義務付け等
●くろまる 株主総会資料の電子提供制度の創設等
令和3年3月1日施行予定
令和4年施行予定
令和元年12月11日公布
法 務 省 41 25 6
Human Rights Promotion
Characters
Jin-KEN-Mamoru-Kun
Jin-KEN-Ayumi-Chan
Ministry of Justice’s
"Seven Promises":
Toward the New Age
Realization of a Multicultural
Coexistence Society
•Acceptance of foreign nationals and proper residency
management
•Appropriate and prompt asylum for refugees
•Resolution of problems concerning the detention and
deportation of deportation evaders
Enhancement of Surveillance and
Security of the Territory of Japan
•Simultaneous pursuit of thorough implementation of
the strict counter measures at the port of entry and
smooth landing examinations
•Response to threats from abroad
Realization of a society
without abuse or
discrimination
•Measures to prevent child abuse
•Measures for various human rights problems
•Reduction of the number of the unregistered pepole
Realization of Justice Affairs that are
Familiar to and Reliable for the Citizens
•Education system reform for the legal community
•Enrichment and Development of Law-Related
Education
•Improvement of the comprehensive legal support
by "Houterasu"
•Active utilization of new technologies, such as AI,
ICT, etc.
Law-Related
Education Mascot,
"Hourisu-kun"5Ministry of Justice is Making Efforts toward the Achievement SDGs.473Realization of "Japan, the Safest
Country in the World"
•Recidivism prevention measures
•Protection of and support for crime victims, etc.
•Countermeasures to secure public safety including responses to
organized crime, etc.
•Ensuring public security by grasping moves of so-called
Aum Shinrikyo, terrorism at home and abroad, etc.
•Appropriate operation of the new criminal justice system and
prosecution reforms
Strengthening Civil
Legislation
•Civil legislation that corresponds to the new age
•Measures to resolve the issue of land with unknown
owners
•Support for earthquake disaster recovery and disaster
restoration and reconstruction
•Improvement of the litigation function, such as
appropriate responses, etc. to lawsuits related to the
interests of the state
Active Promotion of
"Justice Affairs Diplomacy"
•Reliable implementation of the Kyoto Declaration adopted at the
Kyoto Congress
•Technical assistance for the improvement of legal systems in
developing countries, etc.
•Promotion of international arbitration, etc.
•Development of international legal experts and the strengthening of
cooperation with international organizations, etc.
The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (the 2030 Agenda) is a set of international development goals being pursued from
2016 to 2030. The 2030 Agenda was adopted at the UN Sustainable Development Summit held in September 2015. The 2030
Agenda lists the "Sustainable Development Goals", consisting of 17 goals and 169 targets in order to realize a sustainable world.
The SDGs pledge to achieve a world in which "No one is left behind". SDGs are introduced in detail on page 45.
"Rehabilitation Penguins"
"Hogo-chan"&"Sara-chan"
Saiban-in (Lay Judge)
System Mascot
"Saiban-inko"6Volunteer Probation Officer
Screening Commission(50)
Judicial System
Department
Judicial System Division
Examination and Supervision Division
Figures in parentheses show the number of organizations (as of Apr. 2021)
Minister’s Secretariat
Civil Affairs Bureau
Criminal Affairs Bureau
Correction Bureau
Rehabilitation Bureau
Human Rights Bureau
Litigation Bureau
Supreme Public
Prosecutors Offices
High Public
Prosecutors Offices (8)
District Public
Prosecutors Offices (50)
Branch High Public
Prosecutors Offices (6)
Branch District Legal
Affairs Bureaus(261)
Legal Affairs
Bureaus(8)
Branch Offices(103)
District Legal
Affairs Bureaus(42)
Branch District Public
Prosecutors Offices (203)
Local Public
Prosecutors Offices (438)
Regional Correction
Headquarters(8)
Regional Parole Boards(8)
Branch Probation
Offices(3)
Probation Offices(50)
Branch Institutes(7)
Training Institute
for Correctional Personnel
Branch Institutes(7)
Research and Training
Institute of the Ministry of Justice
Secretarial Division
Planning and Recidivism
Prevention Promotion Office
Public Relations Office
EBPM Promotion and Information
Systems Management Office
Records Management Office
Personnel Division
Finance Division
Auditing Office
Building Management Office
International Affairs Division
Facilities Division
Technical Development and Engineering Office
Director of the Welfare Division
General Affairs Division
Registry Information Management Office
Registry Information Center
Civil Affairs First Division
Civil Affairs Second Division
Land with Unknown Owners Prevention
Promotion and Planning Office
Commercial Affairs Division
Director of the Civil Legislation Division
General Affairs Division
Research and Planning Office
Criminal Affairs Division
Public Security Division
Director of the Criminal Legislative Division
Director of the International Affairs Division
General Affairs Division
Inspection Office
Prison Service Division
Security Office
Juvenile Treatment Division
Director for Rehabilitation Support
Director for Medical Care
General Affairs Division
Rehabilitation Service Development Division
Community-based Collaboration and
Social Reintegration Support Office
Supervision Division
General Affairs Division
Human Rights Promotion and Protection Office
Investigations and Remedies Division
Human Rights Promotion Division
Litigation Planning and Coordination Division
Research Office
Civil Litigation Division
Administrative Litigation Division
Tax Litigation Division
Litigation Policy Support Division
Minister of Justice
State Minister
of Justice
Vice-Minister
of Justice
Parliamentary
Vice-Minister
of Justice7About the Ministry of Justice Structure, Historical Background,
Number of Personnel of budget base, 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
Penal Institution
Visiting Committee(75)
Juvenile Training School
Visiting Committee(41)
Juvenile Classification Home
Visiting Committee(44)
National Offender Rehabilitation Commission
Public Prosecutors’ Qualification
Examination Committee
National Bar Examination Commission
Internal organs
of the Ministry
Extraordinary
organs
Facilities Local branch offices
of the Ministry
Independent
organs
Councils
Prisons (61)
Juvenile Prisons (6)
Detention Houses(8)
Juvenile
Training Schools (41)
Branch Juvenile
Training Schools (6)
Branch Prisons (8)
Branch Detention
Houses (97)
Juvenile
Classification Homes (44)
Branch Juvenile
Classification Homes (8)
Women’s
Guidance Home (1)
Public Security
Examination Commission
Public Security
Intelligence Agency
Training Institute of the Public Security
Intelligence Agency
Public Security
Intelligence Bureaus(8)
Public Security
Intelligence Offices (14)
(6) (55)
Immigration Detention Facilities
Visiting Committee(2)
Immigration Centers (2) Branch Offices (6)
District Immigration
Offices (7)
Regional Immigration Services Bureaus (8)
Branch Offices (55)
Immigration Services Agency8 The MOJ FY 2021 Budget comprises a general budget of
789.3 billion yen and 0.3 billion yen for the "Special Account
for Reconstruction from the Great East Japan Earthquake".
Personnel costs comprise 66.4% of the general budget.
1871 ●くろまる Shihosho established
1947 ●くろまる
Separated from Shihosho, came under the
jurisdiction of the Supreme Court
1948 ●くろまる Homucho established (Shihosho abolished)
1949 ●くろまる
Renamed Homufu (with 3 director-gener-
als and 11 bureaus)
1952 ●くろまる
Renamed the Ministry of Justice
(with Minister’s Secretariat and 7 bureaus)
2001 ●くろまる
Reorganization of the central government
(with Minister’s Secretariat and 6 bureaus)
2015 ●くろまる
Litigation Bureau established(with Minis-
ter’s Secretariat and 7 bureaus)
2019 ●くろまる
New Establishment of
Immigration Services Agency
(Minister’s Secretariat, 6 Bureaus))
AbouttheMinistryofJustice
Historical Background
Note: Special officers are included in the Ministry of Justice.
Ministry of Justice
Research and Training Institute of the Ministry of Justice
Legal Affairs Bureaus
Public Prosecutors Offices
Correctional Institutions
Probation Offices and Regional Parole Boards
Immigration Services Agency
Public Security Examination Commission
Public Security Intelligence Agency
OrganizationName804848,906
11,859
23,599
1,839
6,02041,697
Total 54,812
Number of Personnel of budget base (FY 2021)
Budget (FY 2021)
Personnel Costs
524.0
66.4%
Other
Non-Personnel
Costs
245.031%Facilities Costs20.32.6%
FY 2021
Budget
789.3
Human Rights Bureau9◎にじゅうまるInternal Departments of the Ministry of Justice
About the Ministry of Justice
Minister’s Secretariat
Outline of the Organization
Criminal Affairs Bureau
The Criminal Affairs Bureau is responsible for the planning
and drafting of criminal legislation, such as the Penal Code and
the Code of Criminal Procedure; affairs regarding prosecution;
and affairs regarding extradition of criminals and fugitives as
well as mutual international legal assistance.
Corrections Bureau
The Corrections Bureau is responsible for matters concerning
the treatment of inmates,
including security,
prison work,
educa-
tion,classification,medical treatment,and hygiene in correction-
al institutions (prisons,juvenile prisons,detention houses,juve-
nile training schools, juvenile classification homes, and the
women’s guidance homes); the planning and drafting of correc-
tional legislation; the organization and management of correctional
institutions; and the international transfer of sentenced persons.
Rehabilitation Bureau
The Rehabilitation Bureau is responsible for the administra-
tion matters concerning community-based offender rehabilita-
tion including the parole examination of correctional institution
inmates, probation and parole supervision (for both adults and
juveniles), crime prevention activities, pardons, measures for
crime victims, and the medical supervision and treatment for
persons who have caused serious cases under the condition of
insanity.
The Human Rights Bureau promotes and protects fundamen-
tal human rights, and as such is in charge of investigating and
seeking a remedy for human rights violation cases, providing
human rights counseling services, and conducting human rights
awareness-raising activities. As field offices of the Bureau, there
is a Human Rights Department in each Legal Affairs Bureau and
a Human Rights Division in each District Legal Affairs Bureau. In
addition, Human Rights Volunteers, who are private citizens ap-
pointed by the Minister of Justice, are placed in each municipal-
ity (including the special wards of Tokyo) across the country.
Litigation Bureau
The Litigation Bureau deals with civil and administrative law-
suits in which the State is a party. The Litigation Bureau is also
in charge of giving legal advice upon requests from government
ministries and agencies concerning cases which may lead to
legal disputes (so called "Preventive Legal Support System"). In
addition, it is responsible for dealing with lawsuits involving local
public entities, independent administrative institutions, and oth-
er public corporations as prescribed by Cabinet orders in cases
where such lawsuits are found to be related to the interests of
the State.
▲さんかく
Secretarial Division
The Secretarial Division is in charge of secretarial and admin-
istrative work for the Minister of Justice, overall coordination of
administration of each department, clerical work pertinent to
the National Diet, public relations, and more.
▲さんかく
Personnel Division
The Personnel Division is in charge of the general affairs of
the National Bar Examination Commission and clerical work ac-
companying its exams, as well as clerical work related to human
resources such as the number of regular employees, and the
appointment and dismissal of employees.
▲さんかく
Finance Division
The Finance Division is in charge of budget creation, execu-
tion, payment, and auditing accounts, as well as the revenues
and expenditures of the Ministry of Justice.
▲さんかく
International Affairs Division
The International Affairs Division is in charge of developing
basic policy and overall coordination concerning international
affairs of the Ministry of Justice, hosting international confer-
ences and arranging courtesy calls for officials from abroad,
among other things.
▲さんかく
Facilities Division
The Facilities Division engages in the design, construction
work, and maintenance of facilities under the jurisdiction of the
Ministry of Justice, and also cooperates internationally with for-
eign governments to build correctional institutions.
▲さんかく
Director of the Welfare Division
The Director of the Welfare Division is in charge of clerical
work pertinent to mutual aid associations, benefits, and welfare,
as well as enhancing the efficiency of pension and accident
compensation for employees.
▲さんかく
Judicial System Department
The Judicial System Department is in charge of conducting
research and studies as well as drafting of laws and regulations
on the judicial system; clerical work related to collecting, filing,
compiling and publishing of data on laws and regulations, court
precedents and legal affairs; the administration of the Legisla-
tive Council of the Ministry of Justice; the administration of the
Ministry of Justice Library and the Ministry of Justice Museum
and the Message Gallery; the compilation of statistics on the
work handled by the Ministry; matters concerning comprehen-
sive legal support; matters concerning law-related education;
matters concerning the qualification of attorneys-at-law (ben-
goshi) certified by the Minister of Justice; matters concerning
foreign lawyers registered as "Gaikokuho-Jimu-Bengoshi"
(Gaiben); matters concerning the examination of license and au-
thorization and the supervision of claim management and col-
lection companies (servicers); and matters concerning the cer-
tification of private dispute resolution services.
The Civil Affairs Bureau is responsible for handling affairs
related to registration systems for companies and real estate,
family registration, nationality (citizenship), deposit services,
storage of will, notarization, judicial scriveners, land and
house investigators, and planning and drafting of civil legisla-
tion, such as the Civil Code, the Commercial Code, and the
Code of Civil Procedure.
Civil Affairs Bureau10tribute to smooth trial proceedings by detaining and preventing
the destruction of evidence, while paying due respect to the de-
fendants’ basic human rights.
Penal institutions consist of prisons, which confine inmates
sentenced to imprisonment with or without work; juvenile pris-
ons, which confine sentenced juvenile inmates; detention centers,
which confine mainly unsentenced inmates, such as defendants
or suspects whose criminal sentences have not been confirmed.
The treatment of sentenced persons aims at their rehabilitation
and smooth return to society, and for this purpose, they are tak-
en into the most suitable institution based on psychological ex-
amination regarding personality and social adjustment. The insti-
tutions draw up treatment plans deemed most suitable for
individual sentenced person and perform the various tasks in-
volved, including vocational training, life guidance, educational
programs, and more.
In addition, the Ministry is actively introducing new treatment
techniques, such as the adoption of "open treatment" measures
at some prisons, including Ichihara Prison and Ooi Shipyard Pris-
on Camp (of Matsuyama Prison).
The treatment of defendants awaiting trial is intended to con-
◎にじゅうまるSpecial Agencies (Public Prosecutors Office)
◎にじゅうまるFacilities
Fuchu Prison
Public Prosecutors
Penal Institutions
(Prisons, Juvenile Prisons, Detention Houses)
AbouttheMinistryofJustice
In criminal cases, public prosecutors have the power to investi-
gate any criminal offense, decide whether or not to prosecute,
request proper application of law by courts and control/super-
vise the execution of judgments, and furthermore, as representa-
tives of public interest, are given additional authority by the Civil
Code and other laws.
Prosecutorial power is exercised for the purpose of maintain-
ing law and order of the nation and society, and the exercise of
prosecutorial power is based on principles of strict fairness and
impartiality, and cases are handled with due respect to the hu-
man rights of suspects.
Public Prosecutors Office
The function of the Public Prosecutors Office is to exercise
control over all the work handled by public prosecutors, with of-
fices consisting of the Supreme Public Prosecutors Office (To-
kyo), the High Public Prosecutors Offices (Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya,
Hiroshima, Fukuoka, Sendai, Sapporo and Takamatsu), the Dis-
trict Public Prosecutors Offices (one each in the 46 prefectures
except Hokkaido, where, because of the large size of its adminis-
trative area, there are four offices) and Local Public Prosecutors
Offices (one each in major cities, wards or towns). Each of the
high public prosecutors offices and the district public prosecu-
tors offices has branches to handle parts of their work.
Public prosecutors offices are staffed with public prosecutors
(Prosecutor-General, Deputy Prosecutor-General, Superintending
Prosecutors, Public Prosecutors and Assistant Prosecutors) and
public prosecutors' assistant officers.
For details, please refer to the Ministry of Justice website
A pamphlet explaining the meaning and
role of prosecution
http://www.moj.go.jp/keiji1/
keiji_keiji12.html
A pamphlet clearly explaining the various
systems in the Public Prosecutors Office that
support victims of crime.
http://www.moj.go.jp/keiji1/
keiji_keiji11.html11 A Juvenile classification home confines juveniles who have
been referred by the family court when the court orders protec-
tive measures, and conducts assessments of these juveniles
based on the home’s expertise in medicine, psychology pedago-
gy and more, in order to provide information relevant to the in-
vestigation and family court hearing. Such assessments are con-
ducted by interviews, psychological tests and behavioral
observations as well as by psychiatric examinations if necessary;
the treatment guidelines for rehabilitation are drawn up through
examination and diagnosis of the mental and physical condition
of the juvenile and through understanding of the causes of delin-
quency.
The home also conducts assessments at the request of the
juvenile training school superintendent or probation office direc-
tor for the enforcement of protective measures.
Furthermore, the home provides advice using their expertise
and techniques in consultation with the general public and school
teachers on delinquency, bullying, and domestic violence, as well
as the necessary support, in order to prevent delinquency and
crime in the local community.
Juvenile Training Schools confine juveniles who have been sent
from the family court as protective measures that provide cor-
rectional education. A juvenile training school creates an Individ-
ual Plan for Correctional Education for each individual which de-
termines the goals, content, implementation methods, and terms
of correctional education to be implemented according to the
juvenile’s traits, such as age, physical and mental condition, and
criminal tendencies, and provides lifestyle guidance, vocational
guidance, school courses, physical education, and special activi-
ties according to the characteristics of each juvenile. In addition,
in order to ensure smooth rehabilitation in society for juveniles
who have difficulties leading independent lives after release, the
school provides support for learning and working, securing of a
place of residence, and continuous support in collaboration with
medical/welfare institutions.
Juvenile Classification Homes
Women’s Guidance Home
Juvenile Training Schools
Osaka Juvenile Classification Home
Photo of a psychological test at a juvenile classification home (image)
Kakogawa & Harima Juvenile Training School
Photo of guidance on problematic behavior
About the Ministry of Justice Outline of the Organization
The Women’s Guidance Home confines adult women who are
sentenced to guidance measures by the criminal court for viola-
tion of the Anti-Prostitution Act, and provides living guidance and
vocational training according to their rehabilitation needs.12 The Research and Training Institute is one of the agencies of
the Ministry of Justice, and conducts a wide range of work, in-
cluding (i) research related to criminal justice policies and other
Ministry of Justice affairs, (ii) various kinds of training for Minis-
try of Justice officials, and (iii) international cooperation both in
criminal and civil sectors provided for developing countries
mainly in the Asian region.
Activities of Research and Training Institute
■しかくResearch
The Institute conducts research useful for the Ministry of Jus-
tice to draft measures for prevention and control of crime and
implement policies. The results are summarized in the White Pa-
per on Crime, a foundational document concerning criminal jus-
tice policy, as well as the Re-
search Department Reports or
Research Department Materi-
als, which are themed on con-
crete, individual issues con-
cerning criminal trends and
treatment of offenders.
■しかくTraining
Various types of training are conducted for the officials of the
Ministry of Justice (excluding correctional personnel, officials at
the Immigration Services Agency, and those at the Public Secu-
rity Intelligence Agency). This training adopts various formats,
such as lectures, debates, and exercises, so that officials can ac-
quire the knowledge and skills needed as officials of the Ministry
of Justice depending on their duties. Through this training, the
institute aims to foster officials who can respond appropriately
to operations that have become increasingly diverse and com-
plex in recent years.
■しかくInternational Cooperation
[The United Nations Asia and Far East Institute for the
Prevention of Crime and the Treatment of Offenders]
The United Nations Asia and Far East Institute for the Pre-
vention of Crime and the Treatment of Offenders (UNAFEI),
established in 1962 by an agreement between the UN and
the Government of Japan, regularly organizes training cours-
es and seminars for criminal justice practitioners in develop-
ing countries etc., and also cooperates in the formulation and
implementation of UN strategies.
[Technical Assistance in the Legal Field]
The International Cooperation Department (ICD) of the Re-
search and Training Institute invites legal practitioners of select-
ed countries to Japan for training, and has also dispatched Japa-
nese experts to said countries to give counsel and hold seminars.
The ICD has so far offered support to such countries as Vietnam,
Cambodia, Laos, Indonesia and Myanmar.
See "Promotion of International Cooperation" on page 46 for
more about international cooperation.
The Training Institute for Correctional Personnel of the Min-
istry of Justice provides the necessary work training programs
for personnel engaged in correctional services, as well as evi-
dence-based research of correctional treatment.
History●くろまる
The Training Institute for Correctional Personnel, a venerable
institute whose predecessor is the Ministry of the Interior Prison
Officers Training Institute, established in 1890, has a long his-
tory and tradition as a training institution for public officers.
Research and Training Institute of the Ministry of Justice
Training Institute for Correctional Personnel
UNAFEI’s International Training Course; Group Discussion
An instructor from the International Cooperation Department (ICD) of
the Ministry of Justice’s Research and Training Institute gives a lecture
to training participants from Myanmar.
Training Institute for Correctional Personnel
Remote training (lecture)
AbouttheMinistryofJustice
White Paper on Crime13◎にじゅうまるExtra-Ministerial Bureaus
(Immigration Services Agency, Public Security Intelligence Agency, Public Security Examination Commission)
About the Ministry of Justice Outline of the Organization
Immigration Services Agency is responsible for equitable
control over all those who enter and depart from Japan, the
residency of foreign nationals residing in Japan, and procedures
for refugee recognition, based on the Immigration Control and
Refugee Recognition Act. The Agency is also responsible for
implementing a plan, proposals and comprehensive coordination
regarding the development of an environment for an acceptance
of foreign nationals.
Immigration Services Agency’s duties
■しかくImmigration Controls
Foreign nationals who intend to enter Japan are required to
provide personal identification information (fingerprints and fa-
cial photographs), except for those exempt from this require-
ment, and must be interviewed by an immigration inspector. The
immigration inspector checks whether the foreign national meets
the conditions for disembarkation, such as whether the passport
and visa held by the foreign national are valid, whether activities
to be conducted while in Japan are legitimate and come under
the status of residence prescribed in the Appended Tables of the
Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act, and for cer-
tain statuses of residence, the inspector checks whether the for-
eign national meets the criteria stipulated in the Ministerial Ordi-
nance, and that the foreign national does not fall under the
grounds for denial of entry. If the immigration inspector deems
these conditions have been met, the foreign national will be per-
mitted to enter Japan. Foreign nationals who intend to depart
from Japan must receive confirmation of departure from an im-
migration inspector.
Immigration inspectors also verify the fact of departure and
return of Japanese nationals.
■しかくResidency Management of Foreign Nationals
Foreign nationals residing in Japan are allowed to engage in
activities based on their status of residence and period of stay,
determined when entering the country. If foreign nationals
residing in the country intend to obtain permission to change
their status of residence, permission to extend their period of
stay, permission to engage in activities other than those permitted
under the status of residence previously granted, or re-entry
permission, they need to go through the necessary procedures
at the Regional Immigration Services Bureau. In gaining
permission for the activities of foreign nationals in Japan, the
Immigration Services Agency strives to ensure proper residency
management of foreign nationals while paying due consideration
to the interests of the Japanese people and to the security of
Japan, etc.
Starting from July 2012, a residency management system for
mid to long-term residents was introduced, under which foreign
nationals residing in Japan mid to long-term are issued a resi-
dence card when receiving permission relating to residence, such
as landing permission, permission for change of status of resi-
dence, or permission for extension of the period of stay. The
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.
Immigration Services Agency ■しかくDeportation
Among foreign nationals residing in Japan, there are those
considered undesirable for the society such as those who have
entered or disembarked illegally, those who obtained entry per-
mission but have overstayed illegally their period of stay or are
engaged in activities other than those permitted or those who
are imposed certain punishments. With regard to such foreign
nationals, the Immigration Services Agency carefully conducts
a required series of procedures to verify the facts and under-
stand their circumstances through an investigation into and ex-
amination of the violation and oral proceedings, determines
whether the violation serves as a ground for deportation and
deport those who are accordingly determined to be liable for
deportation.
However, not all foreign nationals who fall under the grounds
for deportation defined in the Immigration Control and Refugee
Recognition Act are subject to deportation in Japan. The Minister
of Justice may grant special permission to foreign nationals con-
sidering their social background in Japan and family circum-
stances ,etc.
In addition, foreign nationals who are in violation of the Immi-
gration Control Act but satisfy certain requirements may leave
the country through simple procedures under the departure or-
der system.
■しかくRefugee Recognition
Japan has signed the Convention Relating to the Status of Ref-
ugees and the Protocol Relating to the Status of Refugees,
which went into effect January 1, 1982 in Japan. Various protec-
tion measures stipulated in the convention and protocol were
granted to refugees.
A refugee is someone who, "owing to well-founded fear of be-
ing persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, member-
ship of a particular social group or political opinion, is outside the
country of his nationality and is unable or, owing to such fear, is
unwilling to avail himself of the protection of that country."
The Agency provides administrative procedures for the recog-
nition of refugee status for people who fall within the refugee
definition in the Convention upon the request of foreign nationals
residing in Japan, the issuance of refugee travel documents to
those who are recognized as refugees, and Landing Permission
for Temporary Refuge, which permits a temporary entry into/
stay in Japan, to foreign nationals who apply for asylum at a sea-
port or airport in Japan and are likely to fall under the refugee
definition.
■しかくGeneral Coordination Functions to Develop the
Environment for Acceptance of Foreign Nationals
The planning, policy development, and general coordination
needed for unifying the relevant administrative branch policies
concerning the development of the environment for acceptance
of foreign nationals are the responsibilities of the Ministry of
Justice according to "Basic Policy on the operations regarding
the development of an environment for the acceptance of
foreign workers(Cabinet decision of July, 24, 2018)", and the
Immigration Services Agency has been responsible for those
functions since April 2019.
Specifically, the Agency is responsible for holding "Ministerial
Conference on Acceptance and Coexistence of Foreign nationals"
in cooperation with the Cabinet Secretariat and for compiling
"Comprehensive Measures for Acceptance and Coexistence of
Foreign nationals".14An on-site
inspection
The Public Security Intelligence Agency is an administrative in-
stitution that deals comprehensively with intelligence activities
and requests for dispositions regarding the control of subversive
groups and other organizations based on the Subversive Activi-
ties Prevention Act and the Act on the Control of Organizations
Which Have Committed Acts of Indiscriminate Mass Murder.
Furthermore, as a core member of the Japanese intelligence
community, the Agency contributes to the promotion of relevant
key governmental policies in various spheres including crisis
management, foreign policy, and national security, by providing,
in a timely and appropriate manner, the relevant organizations
with domestic and foreign intelligence/materials related to the
public security of Japan that have been collected and analyzed in
the process of investigation.
Operations of the Public Security Intelligence Agency
■しかくControl of Subversive Organizations
In Japan, there are many organizations and forces which may
pose a security risk to the public, including Aum Shinrikyo, which
carried out the subway sarin gas attacks; leftist extremists, which
have repeatedly conducted illegal activities including terrorist and
guerilla attacks; right wing groups; and the General Association of
Korean Residents in Japan. Based on the "Subversive Activities
Prevention Act", the Agency conducts intelligence activities re-
garding those organizations which have a potential for subversive
terrorist activities, and when it is deemed necessary to take con-
trol measures as a result, the Agency files an application with the
Public Security Examination Commission (see page 14) in order to
take control measures, such as restricting their organizational ac-
tivities 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 applications
with the Commission against organizations that have committed
indiscriminate mass murder in the past and are still considered
dangerous in order to take surveillance disposition or other meas-
ures to prevent a recurrence, as well as collects reports from these
organizations under the Commission's order for surveillance, con-
ducts on-site inspections at the facilities of these organizations,
and also carries out necessary investigations.
Public Security Intelligence Agency
The Public Security Examination Commission is an extra-minis-
terial agency of the Ministry created to maintain public security.
Upon receiving an application from the Director-General of the
Public Security Intelligence Agency for regulatory actions on sub-
versive organizations stipulated in the Subversive Activities Pre-
vention Act or the Act on the Control of Organizations Which
Have Committed Acts of Indiscriminate Mass Murder, the Com-
mission examines the application from an objective and neutral
viewpoint and makes a decision on whether control measures are
necessary, and if so, what control measures should be taken.
Public Security Examination Commission
Work of the Public Security Intelligence Agency
Intelligence contribution to
State administration
Control of subversive Organizations
Examination and decision by the Public Security
Examination Commission on control order
Application for control order
Processing information and materials as evidence
Collection and analysis
Domestic information and materials Foreign information and materials
Work of the Public Security
Examination Commission
Workflow of the Public Security Intelligence Agency
and the Public Security Examination Commission
AbouttheMinistryofJustice
■しかくCurrent State of Surveillance Disposition
In order to uncover the actual activities of so-called Aum Shin-
rikyo (continuing its activities centered on "Aleph" and the "group
led by Yamada" and "Hikari-no-Wa"), the Agency conducts sur-
veillance of the organization in an appropriate and rigorous man-
ner. Investigations and on-site inspections of Aum Shinrikyo have
revealed that the organization still maintains a risk of committing
an act of indiscriminate mass murder: the organization has in-
creased the number of new members through recruitment activ-
ities that do not mention its name; the organization also has
maintained teachings designed to increase the followers’ abso-
lute faith in Chizuo Matsumoto, who is the mastermind of the
organization’s indiscriminate mass murder and popularly known
as Shoko Asahara.
■しかくIntelligence Contributions
There are many challenges to the security of Japan and its people,
such as North Korea’s nuclear and missile development, and abductions
of Japanese nationals; China’s extensive and rapid modernization of mil-
itary strength; threats posed by international terrorism and cyber at-
tacks; and proliferation of weapons of mass destruction; information
theft by countries of concern, that need to be monitored carefully. In
particular, Japan has repeatedly faced situations of heightened tensions
with its neighboring countries regarding the territorial and maritime in-
terests of Japan, and has also faced challenges in the field of economic
security, for instance, advanced technology leaks through various chan-
nels and acquisitions by foreign capital of real estate located near criti-
cal facilities. These situations and challenges have become matters of
great concern to the government and relevant organizations of Japan. It
has become one of the most important missions of the Agency, which is
tasked with protecting public security, to collect and analyze relevant
information with regard to these challenges, thus contributing to the
government’s policies by providing relevant organizations, including the
National Security Council, with intelligence.
■しかくEfforts toward Public-private Collaboration
The Agency is strengthening its measures of providing intelligence
regarding, among other issues, international terrorism, proliferation of
materials related to weapons of mass destruction, and information theft
by countries of concern, and the Director-General and other officials of
the Agency delivers lectures for private corporations and economic as-
Lecture at an outside seminar
sociations. In addition, the
Agency actively distributes
relevant materials such as
the "Handbook of Interna-
tional Terrorism," which out-
lines the trends of terrorist
groups and their activities
in the world, thereby call-
ing attention to Japanese
nationals travelling abroad.15 At the Ministerial Meeting Concerning Measures Against Crime
in July 2012, the Comprehensive Measures for the Prevention of
Recidivism stipulating the mid- to long-term government efforts
toward preventing recidivism were established.
In this strategy, a numerical target to "decrease the proportion
of persons who are re-imprisoned within two years of their release
from prison by at least 20% by 2021" was set as the first ever
government efforts toward preventing recidivism. Details are pre-
sented in the following.
Toward Japan as "the Safest Country in the World"
Comprehensive Measures to Prevent Recidivism1Establishing the Safest Country in the World
Ensuring favorable public security is 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. Also, with the emergence of
n ew t h rea t s s u ch as cy b e rcr i m e a n d ,
international terrorism, we aim to further
r e d u c e c r i m e a n d f o s t e r a s e n s e o f
confidence in public security.
Under such circumstances, at the Ministerial
Meeting Concerning Measures Against Crime
in December 2013, the "Strategy to Make
Japan ‘the Safest Country in the World’" was
a p p r o v e d . A n d w h i l e e ff o r t s f o r
comprehensive Penal Code offenses control
were made by the government as a whole
based on the strategy, the number of
repor ted crimes decreased from 2013
(1,314,140) to 2019(748,559), proving that an
improvement has been seen in the public
security of Japan.
However, roughly 50 percent of the cleared
persons for Penal Code offences was repeat
o ff e n d e r s i n 2 019 , a n d t h e r a t e o f
re-imprisoned inmates among new inmates
reached about 60 percent. Taking the above
facts into consideration, the question of how
we should prevent the repetition of crimes
and delinquencies (=preventing recidivism) is
a major challenge.
The Ministry of Justice carries out
various measures to ensure the
safety and security of citizens,
including countermeasures for
repeat offenses.
The Number of Repeat Offenders Among non-traffic penal code Offenses /Changes in the Rate of Repeat Offenders (2000-2019)010203040500100,000
200,000
400,000
300,000
500,000
2000 2003 2008 2013(%)(persons)
Repeat offenders First-time inmates Rate of Repeat offenders
2018 2019
(Note 1)
Annual Report of Statistics on Correction
(Note 2)
"Repeat offenders" refer to people who are arrested for the second criminal offence, excluding any violations of the Road Traffic Law.
48.8%
First-time Offenders:98,640
Repeat offenders:93,967
Featured Article!16 Business owners that employ ex-offenders/ juvenile delinquents
and help them become independent and rehabilitated are called
"cooperative employers" (see page 42).
The Ministry of Justice promotes financial aid for cooperative
employers as well as support systems that employers can continue
to employ ex-offenders and juvenile delinquents with an easy mind.
In order to match inmates with job offers from companies willing to employ released inmates, the Ministry of Justice promotes
measures that allow companies to post job offers in particular correctional institutions through Hello Work.
Further, Employment Support Information Center for Correction (commonly known as "CORRE-Work") was established in Sap-
poro, Sendai, Tokyo, Nagoya, Osaka, Hiroshima, Takamatsu and Fukuoka Regional Correction Headquarters. CORRE-Work collec-
tively manages information on such things as place of return and acquired qualifications for inmates across the country, and
provides companies willing to employ released inmates with information on institutions housing inmates who meet their needs.
Prisons and juvenile training
schools conduct vocational
training that leads to employ-
ment in industries with high so-
cial needs, such as construc-
tion and nursing care.
I addition to providing in-
mates technique and skills, we
also give training for them to
acquire the attitudes and abili-
ties required for work, such as
social manners as a member of
society and communication
skills in the workplace.
As various factors underlie crime and delinquency, prevention
of re-offending needs treatment focused on each offender’s char-
acteristics.
Approximately 70% of persons who have been re-imprisoned
were unemployed at the time they reoffended. Employment
provides not only steady income, but is also expected to establish
interpersonal relationships through work that will then lead to
greater opportunities to re-establish oneself as an independent
member of society.
However, those who have committed crimes or delinquency
Cooperative employers
Nursing Care and
Welfare Division
Toward
Japanas"theSafest
Countryinthe
World
"
Therefore, prisons, juvenile training schools, and probation of-
fices seek to enhance effective and seamless guidance based on
empirical studies, according to the individual characteristics.
tend to have difficulty obtaining jobs due to insufficient vocational
abilities or criminal records.
The Ministry of Justice has made effort toward work assistance
in cooperation not only with prisons and probation offices, but
with various organizations as well as private citizens such as
cooperative employers in the community.
Enhancing Guidance According to Each Offender’s Characteristics
Creating a Place to Belong and Work in the Community
Vocational Training that Meets the Needs of Society Efforts in the Community
■しかく Securing Work to Lead an Independent Life
Providing Employment Information for Inmates
ACTION!1The Ministry of
Justice is recruiting
business owners to
serve as cooperative
employers.
For inmates who have difficulty in rehabil-
itation or smooth return to society for
specified reasons such as drug dependen-
cy, the following programs are conducted
at prisons:
Treatment in juvenile training schools
takes into consideration the problem
of each individual inmate. For inmates
with specific needs, the following
programs are conducted:
In addition to specialized treatment pro-
grams such as sex offender treatment pro-
gram, drug relapse prevention program, vio-
lence prevention program or alcohol-impaired
driving prevention program, probation offices
implement social contribution activities as well.
Cleanup activity at a
riverside
Helping serve lunch at
a welfare facility
●くろまる
Education from the Perspectives of Victims
●くろまる
Guidance for Prevention of Drug Dependence
●くろまる
Guidance for Prevention of Sex Offence
●くろまる
Guidance for Prevention of Violence
●くろまる
Guidance for Improvement of Family Relation-
ships
●くろまる
Guidance for Improvement of Peer Association
Guidance Provided at Prisons and Probation Offices
Examples of social
contribution activities
Group session at a Prison
●くろまる
Guidance for Overcoming Drug Addiction
●くろまる
Guidance for Withdrawal from Organized Crime
Groups
●くろまる
Re-offending Prevention Guidance for Sexual
Offenders
●くろまる
Education from the
Victims’ Viewpoint
●くろまる
Traffic Safety Guidance
●くろまる
Job Assistance Guidance
●くろまる ●くろまる117
Toward Japan as "the Safest Country in the World"
For inmates who can rely on relatives, arrangements are
made so that they can receive support from their relatives
after release.
Meanwhile, for offenders whose repeated criminal behavior
has estranged them from relatives, have become isolated with
no one to support them, and have no place to return to, efforts
are made to provide them with temporary housing, such as
offender rehabilitation facilities (see page 41).
Moreover, for inmates who have difficulty in leading
independent lives such as the elderly or disabled, improvements
have been made to the systems in cooperation with correctional
institutions/probation offices and local public authorities so
that they can receive appropriate welfare services after their
release.
To enhance treatment for inmates who have difficulty leading in-
dependent lives, such as the elderly, the disabled, or those de-
pendent on drugs, the Ministry has striven since 2011 to secure
a variety of places that can accept these inmates using housing
managed by NPOs (self-reliance support homes) in addition to
stationing officials with professional qualifications in the fields of
welfare and psychology fields and strengthening the ability of of-
fender rehabilitation facilities to accept inmates.
A room of
an offender
rehabilitation facility
Strengthening Function of Offender Rehabilitation Facilities and Securing a Variety of Housing
■しかく Ensuring a Place to Belong in the Community
Education at an offender
rehabilitation facility
To make Japan "the Safest Country in the World", without re-
peated crime and, above all, with no new victims, where citizens
can live in safety and peace, it is essential to create a social envi-
ronment in which those who once committed crimes or delinquen-
cy can be accepted naturally as responsible members of society
without rejection and isolation (re-entry).
To achieve such a society, the declaration "No Returning to
Crime, No Facilitating Other’s Return to Crime" was approved at
the Ministerial Meeting Concerning Measures Against Crime held
in December2014.
Aimed at securing employment and housing, which are key to
preventing recidivism, this declaration asks for the effort of the
Many drug addicts who have had difficulty recovering and many
elderly or disabled who have committed crimes fall between the
gaps of criminal justice and local community, and return to crime
without receiving necessary support.
For this reason, the Emergency Measures to Prevent recidivism
in Drug Addicts and Elderly Offenders, which focuses on drug
addicts and elderly offenders, were formulated in July 2017 at the
Ministerial Meeting Concerning Measures Against Crime.
These measures promote the following three policies and aim
to establish a nationwide network that supports the recovery of
drug addicts and elderly or disabled persons who have committed
crimes.
nation and support from citizens by setting the following two nu-
merical targets that to be achieved by 2020.
❶ 
triple the number of business owners willing to employ
persons who have committed crimes or delinquent acts
after gaining an understanding of their conditions
❷ 
reduce the number of people returning to society from
prisons who have no place to go back to by at least 30per-
cent.
As of October 1, 2019, the government has achieved both of
these targets and is continuing its efforts to secure employment
and housing.
❶ 
An integrated system of guidance provided by correction-
al institutions and probation offices, as well as medical
treatment by medical facilities to aid drug addicts in their
recovery
❷ 
The provision of guidance and support through all stages
of the criminal justice system in conjunction with the local
community
❸ 
Promotion of long-term civic support initiatives to facili-
tate rehabilitation
Implementing these initiatives in an integrated manner will en-
sure that the Comprehensive Measures to Prevent Recidivism will
achieve their numerical targets, and will make efforts to help make
Japan "the Safest Country in the World," a country in which crimes
are not repeated and in which people can live with safety and
peace of mind.
–We Will Work Toward a Bright Future in a Society Where We All Support Rehabilitation–
–Establishment of a Long-Term Support Network to Facilitate Rehabilitation–
Declaring "No Returning to Crime, No Facilitating Other's Return to Crime"
EmergencyMeasures toPreventRecidivismbyPersons withDrugDependencies,ElderlyOffenders,andOthers181
Toward
Japanas"theSafest
Countryinthe
World
"
Act for the Prevention of Recidivism & Recidivism Prevention Plan
The Act for the Prevention of Recidivism, which, along with clarifying
the responsibilities of the national and local governments, as to pre-
venting recidivism sets basic measures and stipulates the compre-
hensive and systematic promotion of measures to prevent recidivism
in order to create a society where citizens can live in safety and pe
ace, was announced and took effect in December 2017.
Moreover, the Review Committee for the Recidivism Prevention Plan ,
chaired by the Minister of Justice, was established in February 2018
to discuss the matters listed in the Recidivism Prevention Plan Draft
created by the Minister of Justice based on the said law, resulting in
many meetings with relevant ministries and committees of private
experts. A review committee was then held to compile a plan propos-
al, and after passing throw the public comment, the Cabinet decided
on the Recidivism Prevention Plan in December 2018.
Under the five basic policies, regarding seven priority issues, 115
measures are stipulated in this plan.
Seven priority issues in "Recidivism Prevention Plan "
❶ Securing Employment and Housing
❷ Facilitating the Use of Health ,Medical, and Welfare Services
❸ Implementation Educational Support in Collaboration with
Schools,and Others
❹ Implementation Effective Guidance That is Tailored to the Indi-
vidual Attiributes of Persons Who Have Committed Offences
❺ Facilitating the Activities of Cooperating Members of the Pri-
vate Sector Advancing Public Relations and Awareness-Rais-
ing Activities
❻ Strengthening Collaboration with Local Governments
❼ Development the Personnel and Physical Systems of the Rel-
evant Organizations
Offenders are divided into "Those released on completion of their full
prison sentence" and "Those released on parole" who were released
on parole in the middle of their prison term and live in the community
while under probation. When their re-imprisonment rates within two
years (the rates of inmates who become re-imprisoned within two
years of release from prison) are compared, the present status is that
those released on completion of their full prison sentence is two or
more times than those released on parole, and thus how recidivism by
those released on completion of their full prison sentence should be
prevented is a major issue.
Those who committed crimes and delinquencies, such as those re-
leased on completion of their full prison sentence, have various issues
toward rehabilitation and "Long-term" support in the community, in-
cluding after the completion of criminal procedures is needed. To do
so, strengthening cooperation with local governments that provide
welfare services, etc. and cooperators from the private sector that
locally support those who committed crimes and delinquencies is im-
portant.
To respond to these issues, the "Acceleration Plan for Plan" was es-
tablished at the Ministerial Meeting Concerning Measures Against
Crime in December 2019.
This plan accelerates the following three issues.
❶ Improvement and enhancement of the countermeasures for
those released on completion of their full prison sentence;
❷ Promotion of the strengthening of cooperation with local gov-
ernments
❸ Promotion of activities by cooperating members of the pri-
vate sector.
The Plan also newly upheld the following two performance goals of
❶ Decrease the number of those released on expiry of their full
prison sentence who are re-imprisoned within two years by
20% or more to 2,000 or less by 2022; and
❷ Support 100 or more local governments to allow the develop-
ment of a local recidivism prevention plan by the end of fiscal
2021.
The various government departments unite as one to tackle the
various challenges involved in the Plan to improve and strengthen the
countermeasures to prevent recidivism among those released on
completion of their full prison sentence, strongly support various re-
cidivism prevention challenges by local governments and cooperating
members of the private sector, and improve the support system in
communities.
-Toward the Improvement of "Long-term" Support, such as the Countermeasures for Those Released on Completion of their Full Prison Sentence-
Acceleration Plan for Recidivism Prevention Plan
Based on the Act for the Prevention of Recidivism, the Ministry of
Justice annually organizes the measures for the prevention of recidi-
vism, etc. taken by the government and releases the "White Paper on
Recidivism Prevention."
The FY 2020 edition of the White Paper
covers the efforts implemented by the
relevant ministries and agencies, such as
the Ministry of Justice, until the end of FY
2019, as well as introducing activities by
cooperating members of the private sec-tor.The White Paper is viewable on the web-
site of the Ministry of Justice and can be
purchased at bookstores/Government
Publications Centers, etc. across Japan.
Please take a look at it.
White Paper on Recidivism Prevention
Website of the Ministry of
Justice Measures to
Prevent Recidivism
http://www.moj.go.jp/hisho/seisakuhyouka/
hisho04_00038.html191 Toward Japan as "the Safest Country in the World"
In order to deal effectively with the frequent occurrence of violent
crimes by foreign nationals as well as the increasing number of inter-
national crimes, it is necessary to gather evidence from abroad more
effectively and strengthen cooperation between foreign investigative
authorities and Japan.
Examples of such enhancement of cooperation include the Treaty
between Japan and the United States of America on Mutual Legal
Assistance in Criminal Matters (entered into force on July 21, 2006),
the Treaty between Japan and the Republic of Korea on Mutual Legal
Assistance in Criminal Matters (entered into force on January 26,
2007), the Treaty between Japan and the People’s Republic of China
on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters (entered into force on
November 23, 2008), the Agreement between Japan and the Hong
Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China
on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters (entered into force on
September 24, 2009), the Agreement between Japan and the Europe-
an Union on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters (entered into
force on January 2, 2011), the Treaty between Japan and the Russian
Federation on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters (entered
into force on February 11, 2011), the Convention on Cybercrime (en-
tered into force on November 1, 2012), the United Nations Conven-
tion against Transnational Organized Crime (entered into force on
August 10, 2017) and the United Nations Convention against Corrup-
tion (entered into force on August 10, 2017). These treaties, agree-
ments and conventions enable communication for the collection of
evidence not through diplomatic channels but directly between the
Ministry of Justice or the National Police Agency and the judicial au-
thorities of respective countries or regions, expediting the process.
The Ministry of Justice is committed to further strengthening interna-
tional cooperation.
In order to protect the lives and safety of citizens, it is highly
important to prevent those who intend to enter Japan for illicit
purposes, such as terrorists and criminals who disguise them-
selves as tourists, from entering the country at the borders and
ports of entry. To ensure that such illegal entrants are identified,
Immigration Services Agency conducts strict and effective immi-
gration examinations and implements surveillance and monitoring
through the methods below.
●くろまる Immigration Examinations through the Use of Biometric Informa-
tion (Fingerprints and Facial Photographs)
●くろまる Utillization of Database of Stolen and Lost Travel Documents
provided by the International Criminal Police Organization (ICPO)
●くろまる Utillization of API (Advance Passenger Information) and PNR
(Passenger Name Record)
●くろまる Reinforcement of Information Collection and Analysis
●くろまる Patrolling and Other Activities at Airports and Seaports
■しかく Cooperation Between the Foreign
Investigative Authorities and Japan
■しかく Measures at the Borders
Immigration examinations through
the use of biometric information
Scene at the port patrol
Handbook of International
Terrorism" (2020 edition)
Efforts to Achieve Safety and Security
Along with measures at the borders, reducing the number of for-
eign nationals currently residing in Japan illegally is important in re-
storing security. Immigration Services Agency strives to reduce the
■しかく Measures Against Illegal Foreign Residents
Public Security Intelligence Agency collects and analyzes information relat-
ed to economic security, an increasingly important concern for the Govern-
ment of Japan. The Agency provides key government apparatuses and other
relevant bodies with information on, for instance, advanced technology leaks
through various channels and acquisitions by foreign capital of real estate
located near critical facilities.
In addition, to strengthen counter-intelligence functions and prevent the
proliferation of materials and technology related to weapons of mass de-
struction, the Agency also diligently pursues the gathering and analysis of
relevant information. Furthermore, to counter increasingly serious threats to
the cyberspace, the Agency gathers and analyzes information and provides
intelligence to relevant organizations in a timely and appropriate manner,
contributing to the government’s measures against cyber attacks and cyber
intelligence.
Regarding international terrorism, as demonstrated by the serial terrorist
bombing attacks in Sri Lanka in April 2019, which had Japanese nationals as
victims, as wells as the frequent outbreak of terror attacks aimed at soft
targets by those influenced by international terrorist groups, such as the
assault using knives near London Bridge in the UK in November 2019. Mean-
while, extremist groups in Japan have carried out illegal activities and have
cooperated with anti-globalization forces. In order to deal appropriately with
these situations, the Agency is strengthening its gathering and analysis of
information related to international terrorist groups and these domestic
groups, as well as strengthening systems for providing pertinent information
to Japanese citizens traveling or living abroad. In addition, the Agency pro-
motes and strengthens measures to prevent terrorism and other illegal activ-
ities as a core member of the intelligence community of Japan by, among
others, closely cooperating with the International Counter-Terrorism Intelli-
gence Collection Unit of Japan (CTU-J) and other relevant organizations and
also actively providing relevant intelligence to Counter-Terrorism and -Intelli-
gence Information and Data Exchange Center of Japan (CTI-INDEX), which
was established in August 2018 to strengthen the sharing and analysis of
information related to alleged terrorist cases, looking ahead to the 2020 To-
kyo Olympic and Paralympic Games and other relevant events.
■しかく Efforts by Public Security Intelligence Agency
number of illegal residents by reinforcing investigations, implement-
ing safe and secure deportation, preventing illegal employment, and
publicizing the departure order system more widely.
The Agency is also actively engaged in taking measures and
developing a society free from illegal immigrants, analyzing
information on foreign residents obtained through the Residency
Management System, understanding the situation of disguised
residents, and appropriately conducting procedures for revocation
of status of residence.
Furthermore, the Agency has verified the danger
and anti-social nature of Aum Shinrikyo, as the
organization still places absolute faith in Chizuo
Matsumoto, the mastermind of the organization’s
indiscriminate mass murder and popularly known
as Shoko Asahara, even now after his execution.
The Agency continues to conduct surveillance on
the organization with appropriate diligence and
provide relevant local authorities upon request by
their heads with the investigation results based on
this surveillance in order to protect public security
and also to remove and alleviate fear and anxiety of
local residents.
"Handbook of International Terrorism" (Web version)
http://www.moj.go.jp/psia/ITH/index.html
The Web version of "Handbook
of International Terrorism" can
be viewed on the Public Security
Intelligence Agency's website.
 Basic Act on Crime Victims was established in 2004, stating that "As
everyone in society is vulnerable to becoming a Crime Victim, policies
from the viewpoints of Crime Victims are required. These steps must be
taken into account to realize a society where the Crime Victims’ interests
and well-being are protected".
Pursuant to the Basic Act on Crime Victims, the Government must es-
tablish a basic plan concerning policies for crime victims, etc. in order to
promote policies for crime victims, etc. in a comprehensive and planned
manner. In 2021, the Forth Basic Plan for Crime Victims, whose duration
was set as five years from April, 1, 2021 until the end of the fiscal year
2025 was formulated, and measures for crime victims are promoted
through collaboration between relevant government ministries.
Support for Crime Victims
■しかく Basic Act on Crime Victims and The Basic Plan for Crime Victims
■しかく Efforts by Ministry of Justice –Aiming for seamless and continuous support for crime victims
Five priorities in the Fourth Basic Plan for Crime Victims
❶Efforts to recover the victims’ damages and to
provide them with economic support
❷Efforts for the victims to recover from or to prevent
mental and/or physical damage
❸Efforts to broaden the opportunity for victims to
participate in criminal procedures
❹Efforts to improve the systems to support crime
victims, etc
❺Efforts to foster the understanding among citizens
and to earn their consideration and cooperation
The Ministry of justice promotes various support measures aim-
ing for seamless and continuous support to crime victims.
For example, Victim Notification System is in place, The public
prosecutor’s office notifies crime victims of information related to
their cases, including decisions on prosecution, trial outcomes, and
the dates of offenders’ release, as well as information on offenders,
such as treatment of offenders after the final decision of a criminal
trial and of offenders under protective measures, upon victims’ re-
quest and in collaboration with relevant organizations.
Besides this, the Ministry of Justice promotes support measures
that can be taken at the time of trial or hearing and after trial or
hearing ends.
Support measures at the time of trial
■しかく
Victim participation system
The victims of crimes such as murder
or injury may, when they so wish and
with the court’s permission, attend the
trial dates, and engage in activities such
as questioning the defendant under cer-
tain requirements.
■しかく
Victim’
s attendance at the juvenile
hearing
Victims of serious cases, such as mur-
der, can attend the juvenile hearing with
the permission of the court.
Support measures after trial or hearing ends
■しかくOpinion hearing system in parole examination
A system is in place that allows crime victims to express their opinions regarding
the parole of the person subject to proceedings and their sentiment on damage
caused by the crimes or delinquency during parole examinations by Regional Parole
Boards.
■しかくRemission payment system
Under the Act on Issuance of Remission Payments Using Stolen and Misappropri-
ated Property it is now possible under certain conditions to confiscate property
obtained by offenders through property offenses, and to use this confiscated prop-
erty in the recovery of damages suffered by the crime victims of relevant cases.
*Remission Payment System is for victims of criminal acts such as property crimi-
nals who were certified in criminal trials.
■しかくCommunication system of victims’sentiments to probationers/parolees
A system is in place that, during the probation or parole, crime victims may commu-
nicate their sentiments regarding damage, the current situation of the victims and
their opinions toward the life or behavior of the probationer or parolees to the parole
office, and the relevant probation office conveys them to the probationer or parolee.
The Japan Legal Support Center (Houterasu) nominates candidates to act as court-appointed attorneys for participating victims and notifies
the court, as well as pays travel expenses, etc. to participating victims, provides information to support crime victims, introduces attorneys with
experience and understanding of victim assistance, and provides legal consultation aid for victims of domestic violence, stalking, and child abuse.
The Japan Legal Support Center (Houterasu)
The Ministry of Justice has been proceeding with various efforts
concerning the prevention of child abuse. For example, the Minis-
try has been striving for the early detection of child abuse through
counseling on children’s rights the human rights bodies (p. 34),
juveniles and their parents’ consultations with the Juvenile Classi-
fication Homes (p. 44), etc.
Efforts Concerning Prevention of Child Abuse in the Ministry of Justice
As a response when child abuse occurs, Japan Legal Support
Center (Houterasu) is implementing various efforts, such as pro-
viding legal consultation assistance for abused children (p. 20),
and conducting hearings by its representatives when the public
prosecutor, police, or Child Guidance Center conducts hearings
concerning an abused child, in order to secure the credibility of
statements while mitigating the child’s burden.
Support measures at the time of hearing201
Toward
Japanas"theSafest
Countryinthe
World
"21Principal Measures of Immigration Controls
Immigration Control and Residency Management2Facial Recognition Automated Gate - Available in the Departure and Return Procedures
for Japanese Nationals and in the Departure Procedures for Foreign Nationals
In order to streamline the departure and return procedures for Japanese nationals through the use of facial recognition technology, to allow
more immigration inspectors to the examination of foreign nationals, and to maintain the strictness of and facilitate inspection, the Immigration
Services Agency implemented the facial recognition automated gates at Haneda
Airport in October 2017 and started its operation in the return procedures for
Japanese nationals. Facial recognition automated gates were also introduced at the
landing/departure examination areas of Narita, Haneda, Chubu, Kansai, Fukuoka, New
Chitose and Naha Airports by the end of 2020 and have been operating in the
departure and return procedures for Japanese nationals.
Also, facial recognition automated gates are available in the departure procedures
for foreign nationals who entered Japan for the purpose of sightseeing and other
such activities, and its operation is scheduled to be serially launched in the following
seven airports, starting with Haneda Airport in July 2019.
●くろまるHow to Use the Facial Recognition Automated Gate
The facial recognition automated gate verify the identity of the traveler by crosschecking the facial image contained in the IC chip of
the IC passport with the facial image taken using the camera at the facial recognition automated gate. If the confirmation of the identity
of the traveler is completed through the crosscheck and there are no problems, the traveler is able to go through the gate. Those who
used the facial recognition automated gate do not have to be stamped a seal(stamp) by an immigration inspector in their passport.
Featured Article!
Take a photo with
a camera
Verification
is O.K.
You can go through the
facial recognition automated gateIt'svery
easy!
The machine
reads your
IC passport
While strict immigration examinations have been implemented
for foreign nationals attempting to work illegally in Japan, the
Agency has also taken various measures to implement smooth
immigration examinations for trouble-free foreign nationals to
help to realize a world-class tourist destination.
To implement strict immigration examinations, the Agency
prevents undesirable foreign nationals such as terrorists from
entering Japan, utilizing Advance Passenger Information (API) and
Passenger Name Record (PNR) reported by air companies and
ICPO (International Criminal Police Organization)’s data on stolen
and lost passports, and obliging foreign nationals who wish to
enter Japan to provide their personal identification information
(fingerprints and facial photographs), in principle.
Since October 2016, the Agency, to implement smooth
immigration examinations at the port of entry, had installed
equipment for the provision of fingerprints and facial
photographs, known as "Bio-Cart," which shorten the time
spent waiting in line to enter the country by speeding up the
acquisition of personal identification information for landing
checks of foreign nationals, and the airports and seaports
utilizing this system have been expanded from 17 airports to 20
airports and seaports in FY 2019. The Agency had also installed
automated gates in Narita, Haneda, Chubu, and Kansai Airports,
which facilitate immigration (return) processing by automatically
verifying passports and fingerprints for use by Japanese nationals
and foreign nationals satisfying certain requirements, who have
Cruise ship examination
Bio Carts Facial recognition automated gates222
Immigration
ControlandResidency
Management
Efforts for Prompt and Reliable Protection for Genuine Refugees
In recent years, the number of those applying for refugee recog-
nition has increased sharply, and among such applications, there
are a considerable number of applications that attempt to abuse
or misuse the refugee recognition system for such purposes as
working in Japan, not for seeking asylum through the recognition
of refugee status. Such situation has been interfering with the pro-
vision of prompt protection of genuine refugees. Therefore, the
Immigration Services Agency revised the operation of the system
as follows, and has been implementing it since January 15, 2018.
As a result, the number of applicants for refugee recognition
that had increased sharply in recent years significantly turned to
decrease in 2018. On the other hand, the number of those recog-
nized as refugees has increased (20 people 2017, 42 people 2018,
44 people 2019), and up until now, there has been a certain effect
in reducing abuse and misuse of the refugee recognition system
and providing prompt asylum for genuine refugees.
Deportation Operations
Immigration control officers are national public officers in public
security services who work at regional immigration services bu-
reaus, their branch offices or Immigration Centers across Japan,
and whose duties are to strictly investgate foreign nationals who
violate the law such as illegal immigrants etc. and to protect the
safety in Japan and individual life.
Foreign nationals who have committed crimes such as robbery,
murder, drug dealing etc. are detained in the immigration facilities
where immigration control officers work, and deporting these per-
sons is also the duty of immigration control officers.
■しかく Immigration Control Officers who Enforce Deportation Operations
registered in advance as users of the automated gates. (Since
the Trusted Traveler Program was launched in November 2016, it
became available to a wider range of foreign users.)
Moreover, to streamline the departure and return procedures
for Japanese nationals utilizing facial recognition technology, the
Agency in October 2017 introduced facial recognition automated
gates that do not require prior user registration in the departure
and return procedures for Japanese nationals and started
its operation. In addition to this, to streamline the departure
procedures for foreign nationals, the Agency has started in
turn the operation of facial recognition automated gates in the
departure procedures for foreign nationals since July 2019.
In response to the recently increasing number of foreign
tourists coming in by cruise ship, the Agency facilitates
immigration procedures for foreign passengers on a cruise ship
by implementing the Landing Permission for Cruise Ship Tourists
system, which allows foreign passengers arriving in Japan on
cruise ships to enter the country using simple procedures
specified by the Commissioner of the Immigration Services
Agency.
●くろまるPoints of the revision of the operation
◆だいやまーくEstablishment of a pre‐sorting period (time limit not exceeding two months )for the first‐time application, reflecting the result
promptly to the status of residence.
◆だいやまーくFurther consideration to those who genuinely require asylum.
Applicants whose applicability as a refugee under the Refugee Convention is deemed to be high, or applicants who are considered
highly likely to need humanitarian consideration are quickly granted the status of residence of "Designated Activities"(six months)
permitting work, as soon as these matters are learned.
◆だいやまーくStrict responses to abuse or misuse of applications
‐ Restrictions on stay are imposed on applicants, even with first‐time applicants, claiming circumstances that clearly do not corre‐
spond to the requests of the Refugee Convention s grounds for persecution and "repeat applicants"(excluding applicants whose
applicability as a refugee under the Refugee Convention is deemed to be high, or applicants who are considered highly likely to
need humanitarian consideration).
‐ Even in cases where restrictions on stay are not imposed, applicants who applied for recognition of refugee status after aban‐
doning to engage in the activities falling under the original status of residence, such as technical intern trainees or international
students, or applicants who filed an application for recognition of refugee status during the departure preparing period have
restrictions imposed on their work. The period of stay in this case will be reduced from the previous six months to three months.
◆だいやまーくApplied to those who file an application from January 15, 2018
■しかく Establishment of the Status of Residence of "Specified Skilled Worker"
In order to construct a framework for the acceptance of work-ready foreign nationals, who have a certain level of
expertise and skills, in the industrial fields where it continues to be difficult to secure human resources even if efforts
have been made to improve productivity and secure domestic human resources in order to cope with the worsening labor
shortages being experienced by small to medium-size business enterprises, the"Bill for Partial Amendment of the Immigration
Control and Refugee Recognition Act and the Act for Establishment of the Ministry of Justice" was submitted to the 197th
Extraordinary Session of the National Diet for the purpose of creating the statuses of residence "Specified Skilled Worker (i)"
and "Specified Skilled Worker (ii)" and establishing the Immigration Services Agency and to make other changes. The same
bill (Act No. 102 of 2018) was enacted on December 2018, promulgated on the 14th of the same month and enforced by
April 1, 2019.
AcceptanceofNewForeignnationalsandEffortstoRealizeaHarmoniousSocietyofCoexistence232 Immigration Control and Residency Management
■しかく Status of residence "Specified Skilled Worker"
Industral, Electric machinery industry,
confirmed by exams, etc. (those who have completed Technical Intern Training(ii) are exempted from exams,etc.)
Proficiency in Japanese language required in daily life and at the work place needs to be confirmed by exams, etc.
(those who have completed Technical Intern Training(ii) are exempted from exams,etc.)TT
ProfessionalA Oneed for confirmation
Renewed every
Previous
Renewed every
standards
Eligible to
standards
Japanese language level
Japanese language levelOR S
A O OR Srepair and
degree of
if requirements are met
Professional
■しかく 
Comprehensive Measures for Acceptance and Coexistence of Foreign nationals
On December 8, 2018, the amended Immigration Control and
Refugee Recognition Act was established to accept work-ready
foreign nationals who have a certain level of expertise or skills
only in industrial fields that really need such human resources
as a solution to the serious shortage of human resources. The
amended Act created new statuses of residence: Specified
Skilled Worker (i) and Specified Skilled Worker (ii). Following the
amendment on December 25, the Ministerial Conference on
Acceptance and Coexistence of Foreign nationals decided the
Comprehensive Measures for Acceptance and Coexistence of
Foreign nationals (the "Comprehensive Measures") so that the
government can make united efforts to promote the acceptance
and coexistence of foreign nationals more strongly and
comprehensively with the new statuses of residence.
In June 2019, the government compiled the Enhancement
of Comprehensive Measures (the "Enhancement Measures")
to focus on urgent issues. In December, the government
revised the Comprehensive Measures in line with the direction
of the Enhancement Measures. In July 2020, they revised the
Comprehensive Measures again to further improve and promote
the environment for acceptance of foreign nationals in line with
the progress of related measures.
●くろまる2020 Revision
The Comprehensive Measures revised on July 14, 2020
consist of 191 measures, including promoting the smooth and
proper acceptance of foreign human resources, providing
better support for local governments' multicultural coexistence
programs, promoting the domestic and overseas understanding
of the Specified Skilled Worker System, expanding Japanese
language education programs for foreign nationals, and
promoting the school enrollment of foreign children.
The measures also include support for foreign nationals
affected by the novel coronavirus pandemic, such as measures
to maintain the employment of technical intern trainees who
are dismissed and cannot continue their training due to the
pandemic.242
Immigration
ControlandResidency
Management2■しかく 
Major measures of the Immigration
Services Agency
●くろまるOne-stop consulting counter
Financial assistance through the "subsidies for preparations
for an environment for the acceptance of foreign nationals"
(referred to below as "subsidies") is provided for the measures
for preparation and expansion of the one-stop consulting counter
through which the local governments provide information and
advices so that when a foreign resident has questions or concerns
about various matters related to life such as the residence
procedures, employment, medical care, welfare, childbirth,
child care or child education, he or she will be able to receive
appropriate information or will be able to quickly reach a place that
offers advices and consultations. As of September 2020, 189 local
governments have been granted subsidies.
It is expected that the one-stop consulting counter that has
received a subsidy will provide appropriate information to
the persons seeking advices through consultations offered in
numerous languages and through coordination with the relevant
organizations.
●くろまる
Collaboration with groups involved in support for foreign
nationals (supporters of foreign nationals)
In April 2019, "Accepting Environmental Coordinators" were
assigned to the regional immigration services bureaus and are
sent to the one-stop consulting counter based on a request from
local governments and information and training will be provided
to the officers of the local governments engaging in consultation
services.
It will lead to the promotion of multicultural coexistence policies
in each region that collaboration and cooperation with local
governments, enhancing and strengthening information gathering
in regional areas and so on by improving the system for Accepting
Environmental Coordinators. In addition, useful information,
such as good practices obtained through efforts by Accepting
Environmental Coordinators is given to the local governments.
●くろまる
Guidebook on Living and Working
The immigration Services Agency has prepared a cross-
government "Guidebook on Living and Working" in 14 languages (*)
for the basic information (residence procedures, labor-related laws
and regulations, social insurance, crime prevention, traffic safety,
etc.) necessary for safe and secure living and work and uploaded
on " A Daily Life Support Portal for Foreign Nationals" on the
Ministry of Justice website .
*Japanese (including "plain Japanese"), English, Chinese, Korean,
Spanish, Portuguese, Vietnamese, Nepalese, Thai, Indonesian,
Burmese (Myanmar language), Khmer (Cambodian), Filipino, and
Mongolian.
Plain Japanese Guidelines for Foreign
Residents Support are available here:
http://www.moj.go.jp/isa/support/portal/
plainjapanese_guideline.html
●くろまる
Plain Japanese Guidelines for Foreign Residents Support
The Immigration Services Agency formulated "Plain Japanese
Guidelines for Foreign Residents Support" with the Agency for
Cultural Affairs to encourage the national and local governments
to use plain Japanese when disseminating necessary information
to foreign residents.
By showing the necessity of plain Japanese and procedures
to create plain Japanese, these Guidelines
aim to promote the use of plain Japanese
and help foreign residents have necessary
information provided by the government
authorities, companies, schools, etc.
●くろまる
Foreign Residents Support Center
The Foreign Residents Support Center (FRESC) was opened
in July 2020 inside a building "CO・MO・RE YOTSUYA" in front of
the JR Yotsuya Station in Shinjuku City. The operations of FRESC
support foreign nationals that are seeking advices, employers of
foreign nationals and local governments that are taking efforts to
support foreign nationals. FRESC also houses agencies for four
ministries in addition to the Immigration Services Agency and
the Tokyo Immigration Office enabling coordination and effective
support for foreign residents.
"Guide book on Living and Working"
are available here:
http://www.moj.go.jp/isa/support/
portal/index.html25Promotion of Judicial System Reform3 The justice system has been expected to play an even larger role
in the 21st century due to various social changes, including change
from a society of ex-ante regulation and coordination to one of ex-
post facto checks and remedies, making it necessary to continue
strengthening judiciary function and establish a new legal system
that is readily accessible to the general public.
To achieve a justice system that is faster, more reliable, and more
familiar to the public, the Ministry has implemented reform based
on the following three fundamental principles: (1) construction of a
justice system that meets the expectations of citizens; (2) reform of
the legal community to support the justice system; and (3) estab-
lishment of the foundations of justice among citizens (citizen partic-
ipation in the justice system). A total of 24 acts related to judicial
system reform were enacted and implemented in the three years
from 2002 to 2004.
Now, we must work to establish this judicial system reform so that
the justice system can fully exercise its function and the public can
share in the fruits of reform, while amending the system if necessary.
Being in charge of the justice system, the Ministry of Justice is
ready to take appropriate measures to meet the demands of a new
age while giving due regard to the aims of judicial system reform.
Ensuring that the Results of Justice System Reforms Take Root
History of
Reform
July 1999▶ Justice System Reform Council (JSRC) within the Cabinet established
June 2001▶ Recommendations of the JSRC to the Cabinet submitted
December 2001▶ Office for Promotion of Justice System Reform (OPJSR) within the Cabinet established
(time limit for establishment: November 2004)
March 2002▶ Plan for Promotion of Justice System Reform approved by the Cabinet
December 2004▶ Office for Promotion of Justice System Reform established within the Cabinet Secretariat
(until: December 2009)
The Three
Pillars of the
Reform
●くろまるEstablishment of the Japan Legal Support Center (Houterasu)
The Center aims to enable citizens to acquire information and services necessary to settle disputes
based on law anywhere in Japan. (Concerning the Japan Legal Support Center, please see page 32 of
"Implementation of Comprehensive Legal Support by the Japan Legal Support Center")
●くろまるEnhancement of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)
The function of ADR (Alternative Dispute Resolution), which allows for autonomous and flexible dispute
settlement, will be enhanced in addition to enhancing its functions of adjudication. (For enhancement of
ADR, please see page 31 of "Legal Services" )
●くろまるImprovement and Acceleration of Criminal Trials
Punitive authority shall be exercised more appropriately and expeditiously through the introduction of
pretrial arrangement proceedings and state-appointed counsel.
●くろまるPromoting Translation of Japanese Laws
Translation of Japanese laws shall be promoted in order to build a foundation for facilitating
international transactions and promoting direct foreign investment.
●くろまるEducation System Reform for the Legal Community
Cultivate the legal community through law schools, the national bar examination, and legal training.
●くろまるIncreasing the Number of Legal Professionals
Cultivate the legal community in terms of both quality and quantity, and increase the number of legal
professionals.
●くろまるLay Judge System -"Saiban-in System"
A system in which citizens participate in criminal trials. commenced May 21, 2009
●くろまるPromotion of Law-Related Education
Understand the significance of law and judicial process, and acquire ways of thinking that support a free
and just society.
Construction of a Justice System that Meets the Expectations of the People
Reform of the Legal Community
Establishment of the Foundations of Justice Among Citizens3PromotionofJudicial
System
Reform263
PromotionofJudicial
System
Reform
In order for Japanese laws to be broadly and correctly under-
stood, the Ministry of Justice is committed to translating Japa-
nese laws into foreign languages and making them available on
the Ministry’s website. By using the Japanese Law Translation
website (listed on right), over 750 English translations of the
laws, including the Civil Law and Companies Act, can be ac-
cessed along with the Standard Legal Terms Dictionary, which is
a dictionary of legal terms translated from Japanese to English,
used as a guideline by the relevant ministries and agencies. Also
featured are English translations of outlines that introduce the
content of amendments to the law promptly and concisely.
The Ministry of Justice will continue to publish and update in-
Promotion of Translation of Japanese Laws
With regard to the criminal justice system, a variety of re-
forms, such as the Saiban-in (lay judge) system, had been ad-
vanced as part of judicial system reform. On the other hand,
discussions on reform had highlighted problems, such as proce-
dural methods for investigations and trials suitable to this new
era, which remained on the agenda to be examined in the future.
Under those circumstances, questions had been raised about
whether the criminal justice system methods for investigations
and trials might be too dependent on interrogations and confes-
sion statements. In order for the system to fully achieve its goal
of ensuring the safe and secure livelihood of citizens, it was
necessary to examine diverse issues and to build a new criminal
justice system based on such suggestions.
In May 2011, in order to establish a new criminal justice sys-
tem that keeps pace with the times, the Minister of Justice
called on the Legislative Council of the Ministry of Justice to
deliberate ways to develop substantive criminal and procedural
law relating to criminal cases, and in a report submitted to the
Minister in September 2014, the Council delivered two princi-
ples: (1) the moderation and the diversification of evidence-gath-
ering and (2) the improvement of trial procedure.
Based on this report, the Ministry of Justice prepared and
submitted a proposal for a bill to revise the Code of Criminal
Procedure and other codes to the 189th session of the Diet. The
bill was enacted in May 2016.
This act includes nine items necessary for the new criminal
justice system: i) introducing audiovisual recording systems for
interrogations, ii) introducing a prosecutorial agreement system
for cooperation in investigations and trials, iii) rationalizing and
streamlining the interception of electronic communication, iv)
clarifying elements for consideration concerning whether to ad-
mit discretionary bail, v) improving legal assistance by defense
counsels, vi) broadening information disclosure systems, vii) in-
troducing measures for protecting victims and witnesses, viii)
raising statutory penalties of crimes related to obstruction of
justice, and ix) introducing measures to simplify and accelerate
trials when defendants admit their guilt. The act incorporates all
the items mentioned above into the present criminal justice sys-
tem and aims to establish a more moderate and more effective
criminal justice system.
The provisions of this act was enforced sequentially by June
2019.
Establishing a New Criminal Justice System that Keeps Pace with the Times
Law-related education aims to enable citizens who are not le-
gal professionals to understand laws, the judicial system, and
the values that underlie them. Following the reforms in various fields and deregulation in
Japan, it has become even more crucial to prevent disputes and
solve them fairly based on law once they occur. Furthermore, as
is symbolized by the lay judge system(see page 28), it is essential
for every citizen to take an active role in the judicial system so
that it is supported nationally. This has made law-related
■しかく The Importance of Law-Related Education
education, which aims to give citizens a deeper understanding of
laws and the judicial system, even more important.
The Courses of Study, the national curriculum standard,
provides that students study the basic concepts of laws, the
significance of public involvement in judicial proceedings, and
the importance of contract.
Considering the importance of law-related education, the
Ministry of Justice is working on its improvement and
development, and will continue efforts to improve the content of
law-related education at schools and other places in cooperation
with Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and
Technology, and other relevant organizations.
Enrichment and Development of Law-Related Education
■しかく Law-Related Education
The Japanese Law Translation website
http://www.japaneselawtranslation.go.jpYAKUJapanese Law Translation
Promotion Mascot
formation related to English translations of the laws, and the
Standard Legal Terms Dictionary, in order of priority.
3 Promotion of Judicial System Reform27■しかく The Law-Related Education Promotion Council
"Hourisu-kun"
Law-Related Education mascot,
Hourisu-kun plays an active role in
law-related teaching materials,
various events, and more to help
make it more familiar to the
general public.
Appointment Procedure
※(注記)At this stage the candidates do not need
to appear in the court.
Persons selected by lot as next year’s candi-
dates for jurors are notified of their selec-
tion.
The candidates who have been further
selected by lot for each trial will be
notified of the date of their court
appearance by writ of summons.
Six jurors will be appointed through
procedure at court.
Around November About six weeks before
the trial
The day of the appointment
procedure
Duties of jurors
Jurors hear witness testimonies and exam-
ine the evidence.
Jurors and professional judges deliber-
ate and determine together whether the
defendant is guilty 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 jury trials Deliberation room
The Law-Related Education Promotion Council established by
the Ministry of Justice aims to increase opportunities to learn
about law and the judicial system and to promote law-related
education in schools through such activities as developing
teaching materials for law-related education.
The Ministry of Justice will continue its efforts to enhance and
develop law-related education for citizens, especially those
involved in education.
Commenced May 21, 2009, Saiban-in System is a system in
which jurors selected from the general public participate in the
criminal trials for serious cases. The jurors, along with
professional judges, determine whether the defendant is guilty
and what the sentence should be.
This system will make the justice system more familiar to
citizens.
The Ministry of Justice has conducted public relations in order
to deepen citizen understanding of this system.
Saiban-in System28Realization of Basic Rights for People4 As a regional organization of the Ministry of Justice, the Legal
Affairs Bureau is responsible for civil administrative affairs that
protect the property and
identity of citizens, such as
registration, family register,
nationality, deposits, and
storage of will, as well as lit-
igation work relevant to the
interests of the State and
the human rights affairs
that protect basic human
rights.
Real Property Registration is a system that records the actual
condition of our important property, including the location and area
of land and buildings, the name and address of the owner, and the
rights involved in a public book called a registry in a way that anyone
can understand so as to create safe, smooth real estate dealings.
Registering inheritance clarifies rights regarding estate and
enables you to sell property that you have acquired through
inheritance immediately or take out a mortgage as collateral.
On the other hand, if real estate is inherited multiple times, it
may take a considerable amount of time to identify the heir, with
high procedural costs and fees for the inheritance registration.
If the inheritance process takes too much time, it might bring
you unforeseen disadvantages, such as being unable to sell your
real property immediately even though you would like to.
In order to secure your rights as well as the rights of future
generations, we recommend you register your inheritance.
After many years of saving, I purchased my home. But
later, someone claiming to be the owner of the house
appeared. When I checked the registry, I found out
that this person was listed as the owner. When I looked
more carefully, it appeared that, after I purchased the
house, the seller sold this person the house at a higher
price. Isn’t the owner of the house me, since I bought
the house earlier?
Unfortunately, you will not be able to claim owner-
ship. Even though you purchased the house earlier,
since it was not registered as your house, you will
not be able to claim ownership to the third parties.
In order to avoid such trouble, it is important to reg-
ister property properly as soon as possible after
completing a transaction.
The Legal Affairs Bureaus are divided into 8 blocks nationwide, with
a Legal Affair Bureau in charge of each block (8 bureaus), and placed
under these Legal Affairs Bureaus are the District Legal Affairs Bu-
reaus, which are generally responsible for prefectural units (42 bu-
reaus).
Moreover, Branch District Legal Affairs Bureaus and Branch Offices
have been placed under the Legal Affairs Bureaus and District Legal
Affairs Bureaus.
The Legal Affairs Bureaus, District Legal Affairs Bureaus and Branch
District Legal Affairs Bureaus
are responsible for registra-
tion, family register, nationality,
deposit office deposits, stor-
age of will, litigation, and hu-
man rights affairs, while
Branch Offices are mainly re-
sponsible for registration.
Legal Affairs Bureau
System for Documenting Your Rights
◆だいやまーく Registration (This system creates a public register on property and rights for the Legal Affairs Bureau and announces it to the public.)
■しかく Responsibilities of the Legal Affairs Bureau
■しかく 
Protecting Assets:
Real Property Registration
If you don’t register...
■しかく Inheritance Registration for the Future
■しかく Organization of the Legal Affairs Bureau
Tokyo Legal Affairs Bureau
For further details, please check
the Legal Affairs Bureau website.
http://houmukyoku.moj.go.jp/homu/
static/index.html
Total Number of Registrations (2019)
Other
registrations
215,459
Real estate
property
registrations
12,081,817
Commercial and
corporate
registrations
1,540,275
Total number of
applications for
registration
13,837,551QA
State of the Legal Affairs
Bureau4RealizationofBasic
RightsforPeople29 In order to clarify the exact location and dimensions of
registered land, the registry office includes in the registration
documents a map called a Registry Office Designated Map,
created by high-precision surveying. However, since maintenance
of Registry Office Designated Maps is insufficient because many
registry offices use old maps created in the Meiji era, experts
with specialized knowledge and many years of experience in the
registry office have promoted the creation of Registry Office
Designated Maps around the country.
Parcel Boundary Demarcation is a system in which, based on
requests from registered landowners, Registrars for Parcel
Boundary Demarcation specify the location of land boundaries
on-site based on the opinion of external experts called Parcel
Boundary Examiners. Registrars for Parcel Boundary Demarca-
tion do not make decide new
boundaries, but rather clarify
original boundaries set at the
time of registration after con-
ducting a range of investiga-
tions, including field research
and surveys.
When issues regarding parcel
boundaries arise, use of this
system makes it possible to re-
solve of the problem without
filing for litigation promptly.
Commercial registration is a system for publicly notifying names,
addresses and board members of companies (stock companies,
general partnership companies, limited partnership companies, and
limited liability companies), while corporate registration is a system for
publicly notifying those of corporations other than companies (including
general incorporated associations, general incorporated foundations,
NPOs, and social welfare corporations).
Companies and corporations can obtain legal personality only after
they register their establishment and maintain the public’s confidence
by registering their basic information. Commercial registration also
helps them ensure safe and smooth transactions through being publicly
notify by certificate of register etc,. As information must be correctly
registered in line with the actual information of the companies, they
must attach supporting documents upon registration application. False
statements and negligence in applications will result in legal punishment.
Furthermore, to improve the entrepreneurial environment, we are
working on expediting the registration process of company
incorporation (fast-tracking) and the processing of incorporation
registrations within 24 hours for fully online applications.
With regard to dormant companies (stock companies for which 12 years
have passed since the last registration)/dormant general corporations
(general incorporated associations/foundations for which 5 years have
passed since the last registration), it is highly likely that their business has
already been discontinued and they do not exist as an entity, and they may
be used for crime and cause damage the public confidence in the commer-
cial registration system if their registrations remain unchanged. According-
ly, the Minister of Justice makes a public announcement for dormant com-
panies etc. every year. If the dormant companies/dormant general
corporations do not register a change in directors, etc. or notify the fact
that it has not abolished its business within two months, they will be deemed
to be dissolved and to be registered ex officio.
When the land around Roppongi Hills was redeveloped, it
took considerable time and money to define land parcel
boundaries because only the old map existed.
In order to prevent such problems, a highly accurate Registry
Office Designated Map is required. The development of
Registry Office Designated Maps supports smoother economic
activities such as land development.
A parcel boundary is a line that defines the position and
dimensions of the land at the time of registration. The parcel
boundary cannot be changed through agreements between
the owners.
■しかく 
Define Your Parcel of Land Clearly:
Creating a Registry Office Designated Map
■しかく Solving Boundary Disputes
-Parcel Boundary Demarcation-
■しかく 
Ensuring safe economic activities
-Commercial and Corporate Registration-
■しかく 
Achieving a highly transparent registration
-Arrangement of dormant companies/dormant general corporations-
What is a Parcel Boundary?
Old Map Registry Office Designated Map
Public awareness poster for the
Parcel Boundary Demarcation system
Economic Activity and
Registry Office Designated Maps
The Legal Affairs Bureau issues commercial registration electronic
certificates to representatives of companies and corporations based on
the commercial registration information. A commercial registration
electronic certificate is an electronic proof of the identity of the
representative of a company/corporation, and is an alternative to a seal-
registration certificate in written documents. Commercial registration
electronic certificates are essential to a digital society, so that they can be
used in several online administrative procedures and electronic commercial
transactions, and are proof for the recipient of the electronic document
that the person who created the document is the representative of the
company/corporation, and also proves that the electronic document has
not been tampered or others.
■しかく 
Infrastructure of Digital Society
-Electronic Certification System Based on Commercial Registration-
4 Realization of Basic Rights for People304
RealizationofBasic
RightsforPeople
Family registration is a system that notarizes kinship of a person
from birth until death. A family register is made for every Japanese
national. A transcript of a family register is the only public document
that notarizes a person’s Japanese nationality. Family registration is
handled by each city, town or village, but the State (Director of the
Legal Affairs Bureau or the District Legal Affairs Bureau) gives advice,
suggestions or instructions to ensure that registration is performed in
a smooth, proper, and uniform manner throughout the country.
In recent years, the existence of people for whom a birth certificate
has not been issued and are thus not entered in a family register has
become social issue. Therefore, the Ministry of Justice has posted an
explanation of the procedure for entering such persons in a family
register on the Ministry of Justice website.
(http://www.moj.go.jp/MINJI/minji04_00034.html)
Meanwhile, starting May 1, 2008, the Family Register Act restricts
cases in which a third person can request the issuance of a transcript
of a family register, and stipulates that identification must be shown
when the applicant submits information for registration.
Nationality is the qualification of an individual to be a national
of a particular country. The Ministry of Justice performs various
functions related to Japanese nationality, including the following.
❶ 
Work related to naturalization when a foreign national
wishes to acquire Japanese nationality
❷ 
Work related to applications for acquisition of Japanese
nationality
❸ 
Work related to applications for renouncement of Japa-
nese nationality
❹ 
Work related to the choice of nationality by a person
who has dual nationality
❺ 
Work related to recognition of Japanese nationality
❻ 
Consultation concerning nationality
◆だいやまーくFamily Registration
◆だいやまーくNationality(Citizenship)
Statistics on Family Registration (from Apr. 2019 to Mar. 2020)
Total Number of Naturalizations Approved
Deaths
1,778,869
Others
1,491,828
Births
1,281,272
Divorces
348,932
Marriages
1,480,640
Total
6,381,541
2017 2018 year20190
(persons)500010000
15000
8,453
9,074
10,315
Furthermore, we (Ministry of Justice) plan to construct a new
system to make it possible to omit transcripts or extracts of family
registers in some administrative procedures due to participate in the
My Number System and to issue transcripts or extracts of one’s own
family registers and of their lineal relatives and their spouse outside
the municipality of registered domicile (The new system operation will
begin in 2024.).*An amended Nationality Act was enacted on January 1, 2009,
which has changed the conditions for acquiring Japanese na-
tionality under the provision of the third article of the National-
ity Act, and has established new penal regulations.*An amended Civil Code will be enacted on April 1, 2022, which
will change the age of majority. Due to this, in Nationality Act,
the age will be lowered from "20 years old" to "18 years old"
(from "22 years old" to "20 years old").
The Adult Guardianship System is designed to protect and support
those unable to make decisions for themselves due to conditions such
as dementia, intellectual disability, or psychiatric disorders, by
appointing adult guardians to handle affairs, such as managing assets
or entering into contracts, on their behalf.
In the Adult Guardianship Registration system, a registrar registers
the authority of the adult guardians appointed by the court, and
registers the details of voluntary guardian contracts made by notarial
deed, and this information is made public in the form of a certificate.
In addition to the above-mentioned legal systems, we have promoted
various measures to establish a registration system appropriate to
today’s advanced information society, including enhancing the
organization of personnel working in clerical registration, establishing
work processing systems such as mechanization and streamlining of
office work, optimizing registration office placement, and improving
government buildings.
Also, in order to meet the needs of today’s IT advances, we have
introduced a registry information service through which registered
information can be verified online and have also made available online
registration applications for real property, commerce and incorporation,
transfer of assigned movables, transfer of receivables, and adult
guardianship registration.
■しかく 
Adult Guardianship System and Adult
Guardianship Registration System
■しかく Efforts to Implement Registration
http://www.moj.go.jp/housei/toukei/toukei_ichiran_koseki.html31though the process of this system whether it is written in ac-
cordance with the method stipulated in the Civil code and then
the original will and its image data shall be recorded , storage
and managed in safe in this system.
After the commencement of inher-
itance, heirs and others can inspect
the stored will and obtain a certificate
of will to check its content. If one of
the heirs inspects the will or obtains a
certificate, the other heirs will be no-
ticed that the will is stored, and they
can immediately recognize the exist-
ence of the will. In addition, the stored
wills are not required to be probated at
the respective family courts.
4 Realization of Basic Rights for People
The deposit system is designed to accomplish certain legal
objectives by submitting money or negotiable securities to na-
tional organizations called deposit offices, entrusting manage-
ment to the deposit office, who ultimately allows the rights hold-
er to acquire the assets.
An online deposit application system has been implemented in
response to IT advances in today’s society, and in an effort to
reduce the burden on applicants, deposit applications for pend-
ing cases can be made easily by presenting a deposit card, and
a large number of deposit applications can be made at the same
time using a dedicated application system tool.
The storage of will system is a system related to the storage
of wills made by holograph document of Article 968 of the Civil
Code (Act No. 89 of 1896) at 312 will archives nationwide (the
headquarters and branch offices of the Legal Affairs Bureau and
District Legal Affairs Bureau designated by the Minister of Jus-
tice.). A will made by holograph document of Article 968 of the
Civil Code (Act No.89 of 1896) can be made at no special cost
as long as the testator has the ability to write, and it is easy and
flexible for the testator. On the other hand, it does not required
for a third party to be involved in the writing and storage, it is
said that after the commencement of inheritance, there are
some risks that a dispute may arise regarding the authenticity
and content of the will, or that heirs may divide the inheritance
without recognizing the existence of the will.
The storage of will system can reduce these risk, because when
applying for storage, a holographic will is externally verified
Notarization is a system under which a notary, a State agent
whose function is to officially certify legal matters related to the
legal life of a private person, such as contracts, certifies matters
as prescribed by law by such means as creating documents. By
having a notary participate in the preparation of the contract in
advance and check the legality and the validity of the contents,
this system guarantees the protection of individual’s rights and
helps prevent possible future legal disputes, and in this sense, is
a preventive justice system.
Notaries are commissioned by the persons or parties involved
to create notarized documents such as wills, certify private doc-
uments and articles of incorporation, and attaching a certified
date.
◆だいやまーくDeposits
◆だいやまーくStorage of will
◆だいやまーくNotary System
Number of Deposits (from Apr. 2019 to Mar. 2020)
■しかくNumber of Cases ■しかくAmount of Money
Deposits received
346,931
Deposits paid out
240,635
Deposits received
337,420,059,877 yen
Deposits paid out
300,098,371,235 yen
Igonsyo-Hokangaroo
With regard to digital documents, notaries can certify private
documents, articles of incorporation, attach certified dates, and
save or certification of digital information (electric notary sys-
tem).
Notaries are appointed, instructed, and supervised by the Min-
ister of Justice (Legal Affairs Bureau directors, District Legal
Affairs Bureau directors). About 500 notaries are working in
about 300 notary offices throughout the country.324
RealizationofBasic
RightsforPeopleAQ
There are various fundamental laws on civil affairs, such the
Civil Code, the Commercial Code, the Companies Act, and the
Code of Civil Procedure, which stipulate the basic rules for
citizen’ s daily lives and economic transactions, the family system, and
judicial proceedings. Recently in Japan, socioeconomic circumstances
have changed significantly, with great diversification in the public, which
is why the Ministry of Justice is conducting necessary examinations and
reviews to make the fundamental civil laws that can handle these chang-
es and are well-suited to the current era. The Ministry also delivers its
views on bills governed by other ministries and agencies regarding
consistency with fundamental law from a position of jurisdiction over
basic civil law.
●くろまるThe legal age of adulthood will be lowered to 18.
The legal age of adulthood will be lowered to 18 on April 1, 2022.
By lowering the age of adulthood, those who are 18 and 19 years of
age will be able to conclude various
contracts without parental consent.
For instance, they can buy a mobile
phone or rent an apartment to live
alone.
Meanwhile, some age limits on
drinking alcohol, smoking, buying
betting tickets for horse and bike
races will remain at the age of 20.
●くろまるCivil Code
In 2017, the Civil Code was revised, reviewing the overall regulations
related to credit.
In 2018, a partial amendment was made to the Civil Code to lower the
age of majority to 18 years and raise the marriageable age for women
to 18 years (making the marriageable age 18 years for both men and
women).
In addition to these revisions, provisions of the Civil Code concerning
inheritance have been amended, and the new procedure in which testa-
tors can deposit their holograph wills with the Legal Affairs Bureaus has
also been introduced.
In 2019, a partial amendment was made to the Civil Code to raise the
target age of person to be adopted concerning the special adoption
system, which is a type of adoption system that extinguishes the legal
relationship between an adopted child and his / her natural parents and
relative by bloods.
Furthermore, we are currently reviewing the Civil Code and the Real
Property Registration Act in order to resolve the issue of "land with
unknown owner". Also, we are currently reviewing articles related to the
disciplinary rights and articles related to the system of the presumption
of child in wedlock in order to prevent from child abuse and to resolve
the social issue that there are people who are not entered in a family
register.
●くろまるCommercial Code, Companies Act
In 2018, a partial amendment was made to the Commercial Code
related to transport and maritime commerce (corporate activities involv-
ing the use of seafaring ships, such as sea transport).
In 2019, the amended Companies Act was enacted, with revisions
including: the establishment of a system for providing general sharehold-
er meeting materials in electronic format, the preparation of regulations
against the abuse of shareholder’ s right to propose and those regarding
director remuneration and company indemnification, and the mandatory
appointment of at least one outside director by companies with a board
of company auditors. It is expected
that the amendment will further
improve the corporate governance
of Japanese companies and
increase the competitiveness of
Japanese companies and the trust
from domestic and foreign inves-
tors in Japanese companies, which
in turn will significantly contribute to
the growth of the Japanese economy.
●くろまるCivil Procedural Laws
In April 2020, a partial Amended Civil Execution Act came into force to
provide rules regarding the improvement of the effectiveness of the
debtor’s property disclosure system, etc.
In May 2021, procedures for a third party to obtain all information
about the debtor’s property will be put in place, allowing the third party
to access information about the debtor’s deposits and savings, shares,
real property, place of employment and the like, including information
related to regulations that have yet to be enforced.
Further, to vitalize international arbitration, study and deliberations to
review the Arbitration Act have been under way since October 2020 at
the Arbitration Legislation Subcommittee of the Legislative Council of
民法
(債権法)
改正後のルール
法 務 省
桃太郎と学ぶ
2020年4月1日から
民法
(債権法)
が改正されます
Acomic,"LearnwithMomotaro:Rulesafter
the Amendment to the Civil Code
(regulations related to credit)," which
explains the new regulations in an
easy-to-understandmanner,ispostedonthe
websiteoftheMinistryofJustice.
http://www.moj.go.jp/content/001311772.pdf
Featured Article!
Improvement of Basic Civil Laws
The world is changing rapidly in terms of living
environment and more. Will basic civil laws be reviewed?
民法改正
〈成年年齢の引下げ〉
2022年4月1日から
になります
成年年齢が18歳
大人になる年齢
(成年年齢)
が、
18歳になります
18歳から、
親の同意がなくても契約を結べるようになります
お酒とタバコは、
引き続き20歳から
改正内容
法務省民事局参事官室 03-3580-4111
詳 しくは こちら をご 覧ください
(H31.2)
http://www.moj.go.jp/MINJI/minji07_00218.html
成年年齢の引下げについての最新情報はこちら!
●くろまる 霞が関からお知らせします
「2022年4月、
18歳は大人です〜成年年齢の引下げ〜」
https://nettv.gov-online.go.jp/prg/prg18293.html
「動画」
で分かる成年年齢/政府インターネットテレビ
●くろまる 政府インターネットテレビ
「2022年4月 成年年齢引下げ 18歳で大人! できること。
できないこと。」https://nettv.gov-online.go.jp/prg/prg18321.html1東京都千代田区霞が関1-1-1
TEL 03-3580-4111(代)
ホームページ https://www.moj.go.jp/
法務省民事局参事官室
会社法が
改正されます
改正の内容については法務省ホームページをご覧ください。
http://www.moj.go.jp/MINJI/minji07_00001.html
法務省民事局参事官室
TEL.03-3580-4111
(代)
http://www.moj.go.jp (法務省ホームページ)
●くろまる 取締役に対する報酬の付与や費用の補償等に
関する規定の整備
●くろまる 監査役会設置会社における社外取締役の設置の
義務付け等
●くろまる 株主総会資料の電子提供制度の創設等
令和3年3月1日施行予定
令和4年施行予定
令和元年12月11日公布
法 務 省
2 movies(Main Story and Digest Edition) are
opento public onMOJ channel of YouTube,
which explains the contents of the
amendmentoftheCivilExecutionActsimply.
http://www.moj.go.jp/MINJI/minji07_00247.html
【Main Story】 【Digest Edition】334 Realization of Basic Rights for People
Promotion and Protection of Human Rights
(Human Rights Counseling, Investigation and Remedy Measures Human Rights Awareness Raising, and More)
Associations of human rights volunteers
(Report, adjustment, research, and opinion
exchange, etc. between human rights volunteers)
About 14,000 Human Rights Volunteers in cities,
towns and villages all over Japan
(Apr. 1, 2020)
Ministry of Justice (Human Rights Bureau)
Human Rights Division of
District Legal Affairs Bureau
Human Rights Department of
Legal Affairs Bureau
Branch Bureau (261)
Human Rights Volunteers Councils (314)
Regional Association of Human Rights Volunteers (8)
National Federation of Associations
of Human Rights Volunteers
Prefectural Association of Human Rights Volunteers (50)
42 District Legal Affairs Bureaus
located at the seats of prefectural
governments excluding those where
Legal Affairs Bureaus are situated (In
addition, located in Hakodate,
Asahikawa, and Kushiro in Hokkaido)
8 Legal Affairs Bureaus in Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya,
Hiroshima, Fukuoka, Sendai, Sapporo and Takamatsu
Chart of Human Rights Bodies of the Ministry of Justice
There are various human rights violation cases (cases where
human rights violations are suspected), including assault and
abuse of women, children, and the elderly; bullying at schools;
compulsion and coercion in the forms of sexual harassment,
power harassment, and stalking; and online defamation and
invasion of privacy. The Human Rights Bodies have taken
measures to seek a remedy and prevent damages in human
rights violation cases, such as providing assistance to victims
(introducing relevant authorities or organizations, giving legal
advice, etc.), conciliating the parties involved, as well as providing
"instruction" and "recommendations" to the other party when
violation of human rights is recognized.
The human rights bodies of the Ministry of Justice have been
carrying out various activities to improve each citizen’s
awareness and understanding of human rights.
Some examples of the activities are the holding of symposiums
and lectures; conducting various forms of training such as
Human Rights Lectures; utilizing publicity using broadcasts such
as TV and radio, etc.; running articles in newspapers and public
relations magazines; and displaying banner ads on the internet.
These activities are collectively called "human rights awareness-
raising activities."
Human rights awareness-raising activities are indispensable in
preventing human rights violations in advance.
■しかく 
Investigation and Remedy 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, 2019)
bullying in schools
2,944
assault, abuse
2,298
violation of the
security of
residence and living
1,828
compulsion,
coercion
1,647
privacy violation
2,197
worker’s rights violation
1,836
violation of ights by
school teachers983violation of rights
by other public officials 242
violation of rights
by special public officials256violation of rights
in welfare facilities109
others 386
violation of rights
by prison officials 58
discriminatory
treatment636Total
15,420
poster "Enhancing Items"344
RealizationofBasic
RightsforPeople
●くろまる
Human Right awareness-Raising Activities Aimed at Children
"National Essay Contest on Human Rights for Junior High
School Students"
The National Essay Contest on Human Rights for Junior High School
Students is an awareness-raising activity designed to enable junior high
school students to deepen their understanding of the importance and
necessity of respect for human rights and to foster awareness of hu-
man rights through writing essays on human rights issues.
"Human Rights Lectures"
The human rights lectures is an awareness-raising activity for children
aimed at nurturing compassion and understanding the preciousness of
life by creating opportunities to think about such topics as bullying. The
lecture targets mainly elementary and junior high school students, and
carried out under the initiative of Human Rights Volunteers nationwide.
"The Human Rights Flower Campaign"
The Human Rights Flower Campaign is an awareness-raising activity
carried out mainly for elementary school students in which children
grow flower seeds or bulbs through cooperation, helping them realize
the preciousness of life and gain kindness and compassion.
Chinese
Korean
English
Filipino
Portuguese
Vietnamese
Nepalese
Spanish
IndonesianThai0570−003−110
0120−007−110
0570−070−810
0570−090−911 https://www.jinken.go.jp/
(nationwide)
(nationwide toll-free number)
(nationwide)
(nationwide)
Human Rights
Hotline
Children's Rights
Hotline
Women's Rights
Hotline
Foreign-language
Human Rights
HotlinePCSmartphone
Mobile
Human Rights Counseling Services on the Internet Search
Click
Counseling Services
Human rights counseling is available for all kinds of human
rights problems, with counselors providing advice depending on
the content. When human rights violations are suspected, the
human rights bodies initiate an investigation in accordance with
the consulter’s consent. The counseling services are free of
charge, require no difficult procedures, and strictly confidential.
●くろまるHuman Rights Counseling Centers
Human rights counseling centers are permanently installed at
Legal Affairs Bureaus, District Legal Affairs Bureaus and their
branches across the nation, with interview-style counseling,
phone counseling, and online counseling available, as well as
Human Rights Counseling Center for Foreigners and Foreign-
language Human Rights Hotline, which provide counseling
through interpreters for foreigners unable to speak Japanese
fluently.
●くろまるChildren’s Rights SOS Mini-Letters
Legal Affairs Bureaus and District Legal Affairs Bureaus
nationwide have actively responded to consultations from
children through "Children’s Rights SOS Mini-Letters" (letter
paper with a pre-stamped envelope), which are distributed to
elementary and junior high school students nationwide as part
of an effort to solve human rights problems involving children,
such as bullying and corporal punishment at school and
domestic child abuse.
Human Rights Volunteers are "Counseling Partners in Your Town"
recommended by the mayor and appointed by the Minister of
Justice. The system of Human Rights Volunteers was introduced in
1948 based on the concept that the government and citizens should
work together to protect human rights of local residents, and there
are currently about 14,000 Human Rights Volunteers (about 6,600
of whom are women) across the country working to solve human
rights problems through raising awareness and providing counseling
on human rights in cooperation with Legal Affairs Bureau and District
Legal Affairs Bureau officials.
■しかく Human Rights Counseling
■しかく Human Rights Volunteers
Children’s Rights SOS Mini-Letters
(for elementary school students)
人権イメージキャラクター
人KENまもる君 ・ 人KENあゆみちゃん
Human rights promotion characters
Jin-KEN-Mamoru-Kun & Jin-KEN-Ayumi-Chan
Human Rights Flower Campaign
Human rights lectures354 Realization of Basic Rights for People
Legal Services
In order to obtain the attorney qualification, a person is re-
quired to complete a legal apprentice training course after pass-
ing the national bar examination in principle. However, as an ex-
ception to this, the attorney qualification through the Attorney
Certification System with the approval of the Minister of Justice
shall be given to those who have passed the national bar exami-
nation and have acquired a certain level of actual legal practice
experience in a corporation, etc.
The Ministry of Justice is responsible for work concerning the
certification of the attorney qualification.
■しかく Attorney Certification System
■しかく 
Gaikokuho-Jimu-Bengoshi
(Registered Foreign Lawyers)
The Gaikokuho-Jimu-Bengoshi system is designed to permit a
person, qualified as a lawyer in foreign jurisdiction, to handle
specific legal business in Japan as a registered foreign lawyer
without qualification examinations.
To become a registered foreign lawyer, the qualified foreign
lawyer must be approved by the Minister of Justice in accord-
ance with the Act on Special Measures Concerning the Handling
of Legal Services by Foreign Lawyers, and obtain registration in
the Roster of Registered Foreign Lawyers kept by the Japan
Federation of Bar Association.
The Ministry of Justice is responsible for work concerning the
approval of qualifications for registered foreign lawyers.
In order to promote the disposal of non-performing loans and
thereby contribute to the sound development of the national
economy, the Act on Special Measures Concerning the Claims
Servicing Business (Servicer Act; Act No. 126 of 1998) was en-
acted on February 1, 1999 as an exception to the Attorney Act.
Servicers licensed by the Minister of Justice are allowed to
manage and collect specified monetary claims provided in the
Servicer Act.
The Ministry of Justice is responsible for reviewing approvals
of claim management and collection, as well as for supervising
servicers to ensure appropriate practices through on-site in-
spections.
■しかく Claim Management and Collection
Companies (Servicers)
■しかく Certified Dispute Resolution Business Operators
The Act on Promotion of Use of Alternative Dispute Resolu-tion(Act No. 151 of 2004)
, enacted on April 1, 2007 as part of
the reform of the judicial system, has introduced a system in
which the Minister of Justice certifies private dispute resolution
services (conciliation and intercession services performed by
private businesses on a civil dispute), when legal criteria and
requirements are met and the service is deemed appropriate, to
promote the use of alternative dispute resolution processes
(procedures for the resolution of a civil dispute between parties
who seek, with the involvement of a fair third party, a resolution
without using legal procedures).
Certified dispute resolution business operators (private busi-
nesses certified by the Minister of Justice) resolve disputes, uti-
lizing professional knowledge and experience to accurately meet
the diverse needs of citizens.
The number of certified dispute resolution business operators
increased from 10 in FY 2007 when the system was launched to
over 150 in FY 2018, with the area of disputes handled growing
more diversified and accessibility to the system further im-
proved.
The Ministry of Justice is responsible for work concerning the
certification of private dispute resolution services and undertak-
ing various efforts to ensure that procedures for conciliation
taken by certified dispute resolution operators are used exten-
sively as an accessible means of resolving disputes.
認証紛争解決サービス
http://www.moj.go.jp/KANBOU/ADR/index.html
■しかく Judicial Scriveners
Judicial scriveners are legal experts whose purpose is to help
protect the rights and interests of citizens, and who register real
estate and commercial registration on behalf of the client, as
well as prepare documents for the court. Since 2003, judicial
scriveners, certified by the Minister of Justice after completing
the designated training, may engage in civil procedures on be-
half of clients at summary courts. Furthermore,
since 2006, they may undertake proceedings as representatives
in identifying registered land parcel boundary demarcations
within a certain range.
The Civil Affairs Bureau of the Ministry of Justice is responsi-
ble for the judicial scriveners system.
Land and house investigators contribute to the clarification of
rights of the people related to real estate, and take charge of
necessary investigations, surveys, and application procedures of
lands and buildings for registering real estate on behalf of a cli-
ent. Since 2006, land and house investigators approved by the
Minister of Justice after completing a certain training to act as
agents in proceedings to identify registered land parcel sections
may undertake proceedings for solving civil disputes originating
from unclear registration of land parcel sections, and dispute
resolution business operators engaged in proceedings must be
designated by the Minister of Justice, with operations carried
out jointly with attorneys-at-law.
The Civil Affairs Bureau of the Ministry of Justice is responsi-
ble for the land and house investigators system.
■しかく Land and House Investigators364
RealizationofBasic
RightsforPeople
Implementation of the 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 Compre-
hensive Legal Support Plan designed to provide all citizens in
Japan with necessary information and services for legal solu-
tions to both civil and criminal disputes so that the justice sys-
tem may be more accessible to citizens.
●くろまるThe Japan Legal Support Center (Houterasu)
The Japan Legal Support Center (Houterasu) is a corporation
established within the framework of an independent administra-
tive agency and forms the core of the Comprehensive Legal
Support Plan, with the Ministry of Justice as its competent min-
istry.
Houterasu was established in April 2006 with the purpose of
promptly and properly implementing operations related to com-
prehensive legal support, and commenced its operations in Oc-
tober of the same year. The popular name Houterasu, a play on
words meaning either "shining a light on law" or "law terrace",
reflects the desire to "shed light on the path to solving legal
troubles for the confused" and "to be a kind of sunny terrace
where people can relax."
The principal work of Houterasu consists of the following five
services as prescribed in Article 30, Paragraph 1 of the Compre-
hensive Legal Support Act:
❶ Information Services
❷ Civil Legal Aid
❸ Legal Aid for Criminal Defense
❹ Measures for Areas with Limited Legal Services
❺ Support for Victims of Crime
Building cooperating with relevant organizations required for
these five services is also part of the work at Houterasu. More-
over, Houterasu may also provide services entrusted by national
and local governments or non-profit organizations, provided this
does not hinder these core services (Article 30, Paragraph 2).
■しかく What is the Comprehensive
Legal Support Plan?
■しかく 
Outline of the Operations of Houterasu
●くろまる
●くろまる
●くろまる
●くろまる
●くろまる Services relating to Court-Appointed Defense Counsel
Support for Victims of Crime
Measures for Areas with Limited Legal Services
Civil Legal Aid
Provision of free information for the settlement of legal problems.
Information Services
https://www.houterasu.or.jp
THE JAPAN LEGAL SUPPORT CENTER
(Call Center)
(Victims of Crime Support Line)
Organizations and
other persons that
cooperate with the
Japan Legal Support
Center for settlement
of legal problems
-Local
governments
-Legal experts such
as attorneys-at-law
and judicial scriveners,etc.-Organizations and
other persons
providing assistance
for victims, etc.
Users
(General
Public)
Social
Activities
Provision of
information/
services
for settlement of
legal problems
Consultation
Coordinationandcooperation
0570−078374
0570−079714☎☎
Free legal consultations for persons of limited means for legal
problems, or granting of loans for them to cover the expenses of
trials, etc.
Provision of legal services at a reasonable cost in areas where it
is difficult to receive legal services because of the lack of legal
experts such as attorneys-at-law or judicial scriveners, etc.
Provision of free information concerning attorneys-at-law who are
well versed in offering assistance to victims or organizations
providing assistance for victims.
Ensuring the system for the prompt and proper appointment of
court-appointed defense counsel, etc. and court-appointed
attorneys-at-law for victims.
Prosecution
Admission
Summary proceedings
Identification
Court
Fine, minor fine
Suspension of execution of sentence
Not guilty, etc.
Protective measures
Suspension of execution of sentence
with probationary supervision
Women’s
Guidance Home
Release on parole
Detention in a work house
Fine, minor fine
Revocation, etc.
Release on parole
Public
Prosecutors Office
Police, etc.
Offense
Referral to
a public prosecutor
Prison
Probation Office
Non-prosecution
Investigation initiated by a public prosecutor, etc.
Disposition of trivial cases
Pecuniary penalty against traffic violations
Acceptance
Release on expiry of term
of probation and parole, etc.
Release on expiry of term
of protective measures
Admission
Release on expiry of full
prison sentence
Acceptance
Imprisonment with or
without work, Penal detention
Acceptance
Process of Criminal Cases Committed by Adults
Theft9.5%Road Traffic
Law violations
29.8%
Causing death or
injury through
negligence in
vehicle driving
37.6%
Other offenses
10.6%
Special law
offenses
40.5%
Penal Code
offenses
59.5%
Other offenses8.2%Suspension of
institution of
prosecution
49.2%
Injury4.2%Insufficient
evidence
for prosecution4.3%Prosecutions
instituted
27.1%
Other decisions
17.7%
Other decisions
13.1%
Other
dispositions1.7%Referrals to
the family court4.6%Nonprosecution
55.2%
●くろまるThe proportion is rounded off to the first decimal places. Therefore,the sum of the composition rates do not add up to 100.0.
By type and name of offense
■しかく By dispositions rendered
■しかく
Total
1,044,277
Total
persons persons
1,044,277
Cases Handled at Public Prosecutors Offices Nationwide (2019)
■しかく Process of Criminal Cases Committed by Adults〈Figure 1〉
Enforcement of Proper Criminal Policy537385
EnforcementofProper
Criminal
Policy
Total
11,640
Total
3,667
Breaking into
a Residence89■しかくPersons on probation with suspension of
execution of the sentence
Theft803176
Injury188Forcible indecency・Forcible indecency
causing death of injury122Fraud
Road traffic
violations125■しかくParolees from penal institution
Stimulant drugs
1,578
Other586Acts of negligence
causing death or injury217Robbery・causing death
or injury through
robbery400Stimulant drugs
3,549
Road traffic
violations370Fraud
1,267
Injury344Theft
3,704
Other
1,789
●くろまるParolees from penal institution : Persons permitted release on parole from a penal institution
●くろまるPersons on probation with suspension of execution of the sentence: Persons on probation with suspension of execution of all or part of the sentence by the court
Number of Persons Newly Commencing Their Probation/Parole According to Offense Types (2019)
●くろまるFigure 1 shows the process of criminal offenses committed by
adults.
❶ Police
All cases in which the police arrest suspects and conduct nec-
essary investigations are, in principle, transferred to public pros-
ecutors.
❷ Public Prosecutors Office
Public prosecutors conduct necessary investigations on cases
transferred from the police and determine whether or not to
indict the accused based on the law and evidence.
At times, they themselves may detect criminal cases or con-
duct investigations on cases that have been charged or ac-
cused.
❸ Court
The courts hold hearings at public trials, and when they recog-
nize the accused as guilty, the courts hand down a sentence,
such as the death penalty, penal servitude, imprisonment, or a
fine. In the case of penal servitude or imprisonment for three
years or less, prison terms may be suspended due to extenuat-
ing circumstances, and probation may be given during the peri-
od of suspended sentence.
In the case of a relatively minor offense, the court may decide
to examine the case through summary proceedings as long as
the accused has no objection.
❹ Prison
After the accused is convicted, the punishment will be admin-
istered under the direction of public prosecutors. As a general
rule, punishment, including imprisonment, with or without prison
work, or detention is enforced at penal institutions such as pris-
ons. Penal institutions help inmates to reform and re-integrate
into the community through correctional treatment.
Those who are incapable of paying the full amount of a penal-
ty or fine will be detained in a workhouse attached to a penal
institution.
❺ Probation Office
Inmates may be released on parole in accordance with a deci-
sion by the regional parole board even before their sentence
ends, and such parolees are placed under probationary super-
vision while on parole. Those given a suspended sentence on the
condition of probation will be placed under probationary super-
vision during the suspension period as well.
These parolees receive instructions, supervision, guidance
and assistance from probation officers and volunteers probation
officers at probation offices for rehabilitation and a smooth re-
turn to society.
❻ Women’s Guidance Home
Adult females taken into custody for violating the Anti-Prosti-
tution Act are detained in women’s guidance homes and are
placed on probation when they are granted parole release.
Number of Newly Committed Inmates, by Offense (2019)
Homicide
Robbery(causing
deathorinjury)
Theft
Bodily
injury(causing
death)
Extortion
Fraud
Forcible
sexual
intercourse,
indecent
assault
(causing
deathorinjury)
Negligent
driving
causing
deathorinjury,
Professional
negligence
causing
deathorinjury
Others
Others
Stimulant
drugsRoadtraffic
violations
Firearmsandswords01,000
2,000
3,000
4,000
5,000
6,000
7,000
8,000
Penal Code offenses 11,082 Special law offenses 6,382
(persons)
Total 17,464
19835812141,095850592546,073815114
1,748
4,3783085 Enforcement of Proper Criminal Policy39Imprisonment with or
without work, Penal detentionrt
Probationary
supervision
Suspension of execution
of sentence
Citizens, police, etc.
Institution of prosecution
after being referred from a family court
Child Guidance Center Public Prosecutors Office
Case referred to
a public prosecutor
for the institution
of prosecution
Acceptance Acceptance
Referral to
a family court Acceptance
Referral to
a family court
Discovery
Notification
Investigation
Police, etc.
Referral to a
public prosecutor
Juvenile
Offenders
Pre-delinquents
JuvenileChildren
Offenders
Discharge
Dismissal without hearing
Referral to a public prosecutor
for the institution of prosecution
Referral to
a child guidance center
and others Family Court
Not guilty, etc.
Suspension of execution
of sentence with
probationary supervision
Fine, minor fine
District Court,etc.Juvenile Prison,etc.Juvenile
Training School
Release on parole
Release on parole
Juvenile
Classification Home
Probation Office
Early discharge Expiration
of sentence
Acceptance
Notification
Referral
Commitment to
a self-support
facility for children
Commitment to a
juvenile training school
Release on expiry
of full prison sentence
Release on expiry
of sentence
Admission Admission
Revocation
Younger than 16
16 or older
Handling Juvenile Crimes and Delinquencies
■しかく Process for Juvenile Delinquents〈Figure 2〉
Correctional facilities nationwide are supported by community
volunteers, such as volunteer visitors and religious counsellors.
Volunteer visitors are those who help reformation and reha-
bilitation as well as smooth re-entry into society of inmates
through of counseling, guidance sessions, music instruction,
and more.
Religious counsellors provide religious guidance upon re-
quest from inmates according to their religious beliefs in order
to ensure freedom of religion.
Community volunteers supporting correctional facilities
Volunteer visitors405
EnforcementofProper
Criminal
Policy
Volunteer visitors
Total
7,801
Total
2,053
Forcible indecency・Forcible indecency
causing death or injury75■しかくParolees from juvenile training school
Road traffic
violations 108
Injury333Robbery・causing death
or injury through
robbery 84 Fraud263■しかくJuveniles on probation
Theft651Others463Forcible indecency・
Forcible indecency
causing death or injury236Acts of negligence
causing death or injury536Road traffic
violations
1,339199Injury961Fraud284Theft
2,336
Others
1,910
Extortion76Assault
●くろまるJuveniles on probation:Persons put under probation by the family court(excluding those under short-term probation for traffic offenses)
●くろまるParolees from juvenile training school: Persons permitted release on parole from the juvenile training school
Number of Persons Newly Commencing Probation/Parole According to Types of Delinquency (2019)
●くろまるFigure 2 is a flowchart of proceedings for juvenile delinquents.
❶ Police
When juvenile suspects are arrested by the police, the cases are
in principle transferred to public prosecutors after investigations
are complete.
❷ Public Prosecutors Office
When public prosecutors suspect juveniles of committing
crimes, or have good reason to refer them to family court for
pre-delinquency (juvenile delinquents with behavioral problems
that stop short of crime yet may lead to crime and need to be
taken into custody), the relevant cases will be transferred to the
family court after investigations are complete.
❸ Family Court
A family court orders investigators to conduct investigations on
relevant juveniles, including their dispositions and family back-
grounds, and sends them to a juvenile classification home for as-
sessment.
❹ Juvenile Classification Home
A Juvenile classification home conducts assessments of juve-
niles based on medical, psychological, pedagogical, sociological,
or other expertise, and submits the results to a family court.
❺ Family Court
When a family court decides that a juvenile has no reason to un-
dergo adjudication procedures, or that adjudication procedures are
not appropriate based on the result of the investigation of the dos-
sier, the court elects dismissal without hearing, and when the court
finds it reasonable to take adjudication procedures, it employs the
closed-door process
When recognizing delinquency for certain serious incidents be-
comes necessary, the prosecutor will take part in judgement by
family court decision.
If placing the juvenile in protective custody is deemed unneces-
sary as a result of the adjudication process based on the above-men-
tioned investigations and assessment of ❸ and ❹, the court de-
clares the juvenile not to be charged. However, if placing the juvenile
in protective custody is deemed, the court decides whether to place
them on probation or in a juvenile training school.
❻❼ Sending Juveniles to Public Prosecutors and Indictment
When a family court finds it reasonable to impose criminal punish-
ment on those who have committed a crime that deserves the death
penalty, penal servitude, or imprisonment, the court sends the case
to public prosecutors.
When juveniles aged sixteen or older are accused of killing victims
intentionally, the cases are, in principle, sent to public prosecutors
who must indict them once they have accepted the case.
❽Juvenile Training School
Juveniles given a family court judgment to be sent to a juvenile
training school are admitted to any of Type-I, Type-II or Type-III juve-
nile training schools, where receive correctional education and reha-
bilitation support as they work toward reform. Juvenile sentenced
inmates younger than 16 are accomodated in Type-IV juvenile train-
ing schools if needed.
❾Probation Office
Juvenile delinquents who have been placed on probation by a fam-
ily court, or those who are provisionally permitted to be released
from a juvenile training school, receive instructions, supervision,
guidance and assistance from probation officers and volunteer pro-
bation officers for rehabilitation and smooth reintegration to society.
Number of Juveniles Newly Committed to Juvenile Training
Schools According to Delinquency (2019)
Robber(causing
deathorinjury)
Theft
Bodily
injury(causing
death)
Extortion
Forcible
sexual
inter
course,
indecent
assault
(causing
deathorinjury)
Dangerous
driving
causing
deathorinjury,
Negligent
driving
causing
deathorinjury
Others
Others
Stimulant
drugs,
poisonous
agentsRoadtraffic
violations
Pre-delinquency
Fraud02004006008001,000
Penal Code offenses 1,400 Special law offenses 274 Pre-delinquency 53
Total 1,727
(persons)7147635786 8038105 1004612853187415 Enforcement of Proper Criminal Policy
What is Offender Rehabilitation?
Exterior of an Offender Rehabilitation Facility
Designed by the late Sagenji Yoshida, Profes-
sor Emeritus at the Tokyo University of the Arts,
this badge consists of 18 chrysanthemum petals
with a sunflower and the rising sun, with the cir-
cle of its contour representing harmony among
people and the red cloth representing human
heart and passion.
Badge of Volunteer Probation Officers
This is a system carried out in cooperation with the nation and
volunteers designed to give instructions, supervision, guidance
and assistance to those who have committed crimes or those
who have turned to juvenile delinquency so that they can be-
come sound members of the society.
Regional Parole Boards
Regional parole boards are located in the eight regions across
the country that correspond to the jurisdictional areas of the
high courts. The major functions of the boards are to make de-
cisions on parole of inmates of prisons or juvenile training
schools, and revoking parole when parolees fail to observe the
parole conditions.
Probation Offices
There are 50 probation offices throughout the country located
in each of the district court jurisdiction. Their major function is
conducting probationary supervision over juveniles placed on
probation by family court decision, those released on parole
from prisons or juvenile training schools, and those on probation
with suspension of sentence. The probation offices also engage
in activities that promote community-based campaigns to pre-
vent crime and delinquency.
Probation Officers
Probation officers are full-time government officials of the
Ministry of Justice who are assigned to either the Secretariat of
the Regional Parole Board or to the Probation Office. With ex-
pert knowledge on psychology, pedagogy, welfare and sociolo-
gy, they work to rehabilitate those who have committed crimes
or have turned to juvenile delinquency, giving them guidance
and assistance in everyday life in collaboration with volunteer
probation officers. They also perform prevention of crime and
delinquency, and provide counsel and support for crime victims.
Volunteer probation officers are private citizens commissioned
by the Minister of Justice, and there are 47,000 of these officers
across the country. As they are familiar with the circumstances
and customs of their community, they are able to give effective
instructions, supervision, guidance and assistance to those who
have committed crimes or have turned to juvenile delinquency in
the community in collaboration with probation officers. In addi-
tion, they engage in crime prevention in their community to pro-
mote prevention of crime and delinquency, and provide counsel
and support for crime victims.
Volunteer probation officers have the status of part-time gov-
ernment officers, but do not receive compensation except for
the expenses involved in their activities.
Volunteer Probation Officers
Of all the persons who have been placed on parole/probation-
ary supervision or released from prison, offender rehabilitation
facilities accommodate those who have no proper place to live
and give them living guidance and vocational trainings so that
they will be able to live independently at the earliest possible
date. There are 103 such facilities in the country, mainly operat-
ed by juridical persons for the offender rehabilitation, which are
private foundations approved by the Minister of Justice to oper-
ate offender rehabilitation services.
Offender Rehabilitation Facilities
The Big Brothers and Sisters Association is a youth volunteer
organization that aims to support the healthy growth of juveniles
with various difficulties including delinquency by interacting with
them like a friendly older brother or sister. There are about,
5,000 BBS members who conduct activities such as "Friendship
Activities", which supports the growth and independence of the
juveniles by befriending them, and carry out crime prevention to
create a crime-free society.
The Women’s Association for Rehabilitation Aid is an organiza-
tion composed of women volunteers working toward crime pre-
vention as well as rehabilitation for those who have committed
crimes or juvenile delinquents from a female perspective in order
to build a brighter society, free from crime and delinquency.
There are about148,000 volunteer members across the country
engaged not only in crime and delinquency prevention education-
al activities, but also in a wide range of activities rooted in the
community, such as sound upbringing of youth, child-support,
rehabilitation support in offender rehabilitation facilities, coopera-
tion in volunteer work with offenders on probation, and visits to
prisons and juvenile training schools to encourage inmates.
BBS Association
Women's Association for Rehabilitation Aid
"Hogo-chan" & "Sara-chan"
"Rehabilitation penguins"425
EnforcementofProper
Criminal
Policy
Cooperating Employers are business owners who employ ex-
offenders and juvenile delinquents to help them become inde-
pendent and rehabilitated. These employers understand the
feelings of exoffenders and provide them with stable jobs, which
serves as a tremendous contribution to offender rehabilitation in
society. These employers understand the feelings of offenders
and provide them with stable jobs, which serves as a tremen-
dous contribution to offender rehabilitation in society.
There are about 24,000 such cooperative business owners
across the country.
The National Center for Offender Rehabilitation is established
and operated to provide parolees from penal institutions or ju-
venile training schools who cannot secure the necessary social
surroundings for smooth reintegration into society from rela-
tives or private-sector offender rehabilitation facilities with lodg-
ing at state-established facilities, where probation officers di-
rectly provide them with intensive supervision and generous
employment assistance, thereby encouraging their rehabilitation
and preventing them from committing further offenses.
Among these facilities, organizations that perform selective,
specialized treatment in society in accord with the relevant spe-
cific problem are called the National Center for Offender Reha-
bilitation, while other organizations that provide vocational train-
ing, primarily in agriculture, are called the National Center for
Offenders Job Training and Employment Support.
The National Centers for Offender Rehabilitation is established
and operated in Kitakyushu and Fukushima City, while the Na-
tional Centers for Offenders Job Training is established and op-
erated in Hokkaido (Numata-cho) and Ibaraki (Hitachinaka City).
Ensuring that those who have committed a crime can get
rehabilitation and become law-abiding members of society
is a task that cannot be achieved by government alone. The
efforts of offender rehabilitation volunteers, including Vol-
unteer Probation Officers, the Women’s Association for Re-
habilitation Aid, BBS, and Cooperative Employers have been
of great help.
If you are interested in participating in such activities,
please contact your nearest Probation Office.
Videos about offender rehabilitation volun-
teers are available on the Ministry of Justice’s
YouTube channel.
Become an Offender Rehabilitation Volunteer
The System for Partial Suspension of Sentence was enforced in June 2016 based on the Penal Code and the Act for Partial
Suspension of Sentence for Criminals Convicted of Drug Use and Others. The system enables judges to partially suspend sen-
tences for 1–5 years in rendering a sentence of imprisonment with or without labor for not more than 3 years, with the aim of
preventing re-offending and helping offenders to rehabilitate by securing adequate period of treatment in society, following a
period of treatment in prison.
Under this system, those who have no previous record of sentences heavier than imprisonment without work are put on dis-
cretional probation during the period of the suspended sentence, while those who have been imprisoned with work because of
drug use and other substance issues are put on mandatory probation.
System for Partial Suspension of Sentence
Cooperating Employers
National Centers for Offender Rehabilitation
Medical Treatment and Supervision Measures for Persons Who
Have Caused Serious Cases under the Condition of Insanity
The Medical Treatment and Supervision for Persons Who
Have Caused Serious Cases under the Condition of Insanity is a
system which gives persons who have committed murder, arson,
or other serious offences continuous and appropriate medical
treatment, conducting observations and guidance necessary to
prevent them from committing such acts again, and promotes
the return of people to society.
The Probation Offices have psychiatric social workers known
as Rehabilitation Coordinators who work in collaboration with
medical institutions designated by the Minister of Health,Labor
and Welfare and relevant local institutions to promote the return
of people to society.
The National Center for Offender Rehabil-
itation in Fukuoka (Kitakyushu City)
The National Center for Offender Job
Training and Employment Support in
Hokkaido (Numata-cho, Uryu-gun)435 Enforcement of Proper Criminal Policy
Facilitating the activities of cooperating members of the private sector
Volunteer probation officers play an extremely important role
in the Japanese offender rehabilitation system by supporting re-
habilitation of offenders in the community and by engaging in
publicity campaigns and enlightenment activities to build a
brighter community without crime and delinquency. Meanwhile,
due to the changes in social circumstances, such as the weaken-
ing of interpersonal relationships in the community, it is becom-
ing more difficult to secure suitable persons as volunteer proba-
tion officers. Recently there was a downward trend in the
number of the volunteer probation officers (quota is 52,500).
Due to the trend, securing volunteer probation officers con-
stantly for the future is the most serious issue for the offender
rehabilitation in Japan.
Under these circumstances, the Ministry of Justice is working
on various strategies. For example, the Ministry of Justice sup-
ports the local volunteer probation officers associations across
the country to hold "Volunteer Probation Officer Candidate In-
formation Meetings" so as to secure appropriate candidates for
volunteer probation officers from local residents with various
points of view such as a wide range of age groups, including
youth, and occupations, and to conduct the "Internship for Vol-
unteer Probation Officer" for local residents to experience the
activities of volunteer probation officers. There are in all the local
volunteer probation officers associations "Offender Rehabilita-
tion Support Centers" nationwide, which serve as hubs for of-
fender rehabilitation by the volunteer probation officers, which
are planning further enhancement and improvement in the fu-
ture. In recent years, we have also been focusing on public re-
lations activities, such as holding seminars on volunteer proba-
tion officer activities for members of industry groups and
creating public relations videos on volunteer probation officers.
The volunteer probation officer organizations and the national
government are working together to secure volunteer probation
officers and support for the volunteer probation officers’ activi-
ties, so that Japan can develop a sustainable world-class volun-
teer probation system.
■しかく Securing volunteer Probation Officers
To strengthen the activity base of private sector members in-
volved in rehabilitation system,
"The Recidivism Prevention
Plan"(in December 2017) and "The Accelerated Recidivism Pre-
vention Plan"(in December 2019) declared that it would advance
the utilization of private funds, including crowd funding and a
kind of funds. It is because the most of activities carried out by
private sector members are with vulnerable economic bases.
In August 2020, The Japan Rehabilitation Aid Association start-
ed "The Recovery Support Funds". This funds collects donations
through internets and subsidizes recovery support community
activities. The Ministry of Justice promotes this
funds, and aims to create a safe and secure
community.
■しかく Advancing the utilization of private funds
Changes in the Number of Volunteer Probation Officers (2012-2020)
48,221
47,990 47,914 47,872
(persons)
2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018
47,939 47,909
2019 2020
47,641
46,763
47,245
45000
46000
47000
48000
49000
Offender Rehabilitation Support Center
The figures are those at the time of January 1 each year
I want to contribute to the
community, but...
I support the
rehabilitation of
offenders!
I donʼt know how.
I donʼt have time.
Individual supporters
We want to
help support the
rehabilitation
of offenders.
We donʼt know where
we can provide support.
Corporate supporters
We sympathize with support for
offender rehabilitation, but...
Donationsof1,000yenormorecanbemade
easily
online.・・・Japan Rehabilitation
Aid Association・・・The subsidy covers the following costs
necessary for offender rehabilitation:・・・Organizations related to
offender rehabilitation
Donation
Subsidy
Donation
Donations as part of social contributionCSRDonations to designated public interest
corporations can be included in deduct-
ible expenses.
Calls for donations
Calls for subsidy
applications from
organizations
Selection of
organizations to be
subsidized
Costs of activities to create a place
to belong in the community
Costs of crime and delinquency
prevention and educational
activities
Other costs of grassroots activities
related to offender rehabilitation,etc.Note: Donations made by March 31, 2021
will be allocated to organizations related to
offender rehabilitation.445
EnforcementofProper
Criminal
Policy
Improvement and Enhancement of Treatment in Correctional Facilities
The Ministry of Justice conducts appropriate treatment of in-
mates that respects their human rights based on the Act on Penal
Detention Facilities and Treatment of Inmates and Detainees en-
acted under a total revision of the Prison Law, and to achieve this,
the Ministry has striven to improve facilities and human resourc-
es, as well as to rationalize and mechanize clerical work.
In addition, model cases in foreign countries, the Ministry of
Justice manages some penal institutions through cooperation be-
tween the government and private sectors using the PFI (Private
Finance Initiative), which utilizes private capital, ingenuity, and ex-
pertise, and in doing so plans to enrich and develop correctional
treatment by incorporating programs never seen in conventional
prisons, such as the Training Program for Guide Dog Puppies for
the Blind in cooperation with the Japan Guide Dog Association
Foundation.
The Ministry of Justice is working to implement the Act on Pe-
nal Detention Facilities and Treatment of Inmates and Detainees
smoothly to prevent recidivism and will contribute to the creation
of a safe society where the people can live with peace of mind.
To prevent recidivism, juvenile classification homes are work-
ing to enhance their ability to assess juveniles by developing and
introducing a new assessment method, "Ministry of Justice Case
Assessment Tool (MJCA)" in order to grasp the risk of recidivism
and educational needs of each juvenile.
The homes are also working to enhance treatment for recidi-
vism prevention by conducting assessment of juveniles under
protective measures in response to requests from juvenile train-
ing schools and probation offices.
Furthermore, the homes provide counseling and consultation
services to juveniles and their families on problems related to
crime and delinquency (crime, delinquency, misbehavior, family
upbringing problems, troubles at work or school, interpersonal
problems, etc.). Moreover, staff at the home provide explana-
tions on various topics such as delinquency, crime, child-rearing,
or educational and instructional methods for youth at work-
shops or lectures held at schools or related organizations.
Those interested are welcome to contact a nearby juvenile
classification home.
■しかく 
Smooth Enforcement of Act on Penal Detention
Facilities and Treatment of Inmates and Detainees
■しかく 
Enhancement of Assessments of Juveniles and Community
Support Activities by Juvenile Classification HomesAQ
Featured Article!
Further Improvement of Juvenile Correction
Recently, I frequently hear about juvenile crimes on the news.
What kind of measures are being taken?
The Ministry of Justice has been strengthening efforts
toward preventing recidivism.
●くろまるStrengthening Correctional Education Based on
New Juvenile Training School Act
In June 2015, the New Juvenile Training School Act was
enacted. Under this act, the Juvenile Training Schools design
an individual correctional education plan for each juvenile in
accordance with his or her traits and implement programs
addressing individual problems such as drug use, sexual
delinquency, and family issues. The Juvenile Training Schools
also implement vocation guidance for such things as acquiring
qualifications for employment and social skills necessary for
retaining a job, thus conducting appropriate correctional
education aimed at preventing recidivism.
●くろまるLegal Provisions for Reintegration Support by
Juvenile Training Schools
In order to prevent recidivism, it is important not only to
provide diverse correctional education, but also to support the
smooth reintegration of delinquent juveniles. The New Juvenile
Training School Act stipulates that Juvenile Training Schools
are responsible for providing support for juveniles’ reintegra-
tion into society. Specifically, they proactively provide academ-
ic support such as helping re-entry or transfer to a local high
school, as well as support in finding work and assistance for
obtaining accommodations.
●くろまるPerforming Appropriate Classification under the
Juvenile Classification Home Act
A new Juvenile Classification Home 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 individual
treatment plans that enable more detailed classification.
●くろまるAssisting Local Communities With Juvenile
Classification Homes
In order to contribute to the prevention
of delinquency and crimes in local commu-
nities, juvenile classification homes provide
local people and those involved in schools
and education with counseling based on
specialized knowledge and skills.45Justice Affairs Diplomacy6 The 14th UN Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal
Justice (Kyoto Congress), was held in Kyoto from March 7 to 12,
2021, after the postponement due to the worldwide COVID-19
pandemic.
The UN Crime Congresses, held every five years, are the
largest UN conferences in the field of crime prevention and
criminal justice. The overall theme of the Kyoto Congress was
"Advancing Crime Prevention, Criminal justice and the Rule of
Law: Towards the Achievement of the 2030 Agenda".
At the Kyoto Congress, active discussions were made on the
roles of criminal justice in achieving the SDGs as well as
strategies to prevent terrorism, organized crime, corruption and
cybercrime by taking advantage of web conference systems.
Timely discussions were also made on challenges posted by the
COVID-19 such as fostering international cooperation stagnating
due to travel restrictions, introducing ICT into criminal justice,
and measures to promote the rule of law in the COVID-19 era.
Promotion of "Justice Affairs Diplomacy" –"Shiho-Gaiko" by the Ministry of Justice
How does the Ministry of Justice get involved with international society?
The Ministry of Justice promotes fundamental
values such as the "rule of law" and "respect for
fundamental human rights" to realize a society
where all people can live securely and safely. The promotion
of "Justice Affairs Diplomacy" –"Shiho-Gaiko" is very
important in terms of improving the legal infrastructure
that supports the economic growth of the country and
contributing to sustainable development.
In cooperation with relevant ministries and agencies,
the Ministry of Justice actively contributes to the creation
of rules and mechanisms in the international community
by promoting and developing "Justice Affairs Diplomacy"
–"Shiho-Gaiko" comprehensively and strategically.
For example, the Ministry of Justice has recently been
engaged in:
a) Taking the initiative in implementing the "Kyoto
Declaration", adopted at the 14th UN Congress on Crime
Prevention and Criminal Justice (Kyoto Congress),through
promoting the cooperation among UN member states,
as well as providing technical assistance for developing
countries,
b) Providing legal technical assistance aiming for the
realization of basic values such as the rule of law,
c) Promoting "International Arbitration", which is used
worldwide to resolve disputes in international commerce,
by developing necessary infrastructure, and
d) Strengthening cooperation with international
organizations through development and dispatch of
international legal experts to overseas,
The Promotion of "Justice Affairs Diplomacy" –
"Shiho-Gaiko" will contribute to the achievement of the
"Sustainable Development Goals" (SDGs*). The Ministry of
Justice is making efforts to realize peaceful and inclusive
societies, which is written in Goal 16 of the SDGs.
* The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (the 2030
Agenda) is a set of international development goals being
pursued from 2016 to 2030, which was
adopted at the UN Sustainable Development
Summit held in September 2015. The Agenda
lists the SDGs, consisting of 17 goals in order
to realize a sustainable world. The SDGs
pledge to ensure "No one is left behind".AQ
For further information, please
refer to the Ministry of Justice
website and the promotion of the
SDGs (English website).
http://www.moj.go.jp/EN/kokusai/kokusai03_00007.html
The 14th UN Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice (the Kyoto Congress)
Kyoto International Conference Center
Featured Article!466
Justice
Affairs
Diplomacy
Congress logo Youth Forum logo
Kyoto International Conference Center (Main hall)
The outcome of the discussion was encapsulated in the "Kyoto
Declaration", which will provide policy orientation for the United
Nations and member states in this field.
Prior to the Kyoto Congress, the Youth Forum for the 14th
UN Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice (the
Kyoto Congress Youth Forum) was held from February 27 to 28,
2021. The overall theme of this youth forum was "Youth
Engagement for Our Secure Society towards Achieving the
SDGs". Young people from around the world with diverse
backgrounds discussed on this theme. The forum served a
unique opportunity for the young participants to deepen their
understanding on policies and practices in the field of crime
prevention and criminal justice.
Steady implementation of the "Kyoto Declaration" is now on
our high agenda. The Ministry of Justice will take a leading role
in implementing the declaration together with the United
Nations, member states and relevant organizations.
The Ministry of Justice provides assistance mainly to developing
countries with a view to establishing the rule of law for the democratic
and free development as well as to realizing secure and peaceful society.
Promoting and enhancing good governance based on the rule of law
through international cooperation with developing countries contributes
not only to the sound development of these countries and stability of the
region, but to the strengthening countermeasures against transnational
crime and to the improvement of business environment. This serves as
an important contribution to the international community to enhance
Japan’s presence.
In the field of civil and commercial law, the Ministry of Justice has
provided legal technical assistance for Asian countries such as Vietnam,
Cambodia, Laos, Indonesia and Myanmar mainly through activities of the
International Cooperation Department (ICD), Research and Training
Institute (RTI). These activities include drafting and amending
fundamental laws and regulations, strengthening function of judicial
institutions which operate laws, and capacity-building of legal
professionals. Through such technical assistance, a number of legislation,
including civil codes and civil procedure codes, have been enacted and
relevant legal commentaries have also been prepared in these countries.
Moreover, a great number of individuals in leadership positions in the law
and justice sector have built their capacities through our assistance.
The United Nations Asia and Far East Institute for the Prevention of
Crime and the Treatment of Offenders (UNAFEI), established in 1962 by
the agreement between the United Nations and the Government of
Japan and operated by the RTI of the Ministry of Justice, has held
training courses and seminars in the field of crime prevention and
treatment of offenders for criminal justice practitioners (police officers,
public prosecutors, judges, correctional and probation officers, etc.)
from developing countries. Since 1962, more than 6,000 practitioners
from 139 jurisdictions have participated in training courses and seminars
organized by UNAFEI (as of the end of December 2020). Many UNAFEI
alumni are playing leading roles in the area of criminal justice. Some
alumni members have served as, among others, Minister of Justice,
Prosecutor General, and Chief Justice of the Supreme Court in their
respective countries. This personnel network lays a foundation on
valuable relationship between criminal justice personnel between Japan
and other countries.
Promotion of International Cooperation
International Training Course
Local Activity476 Justice Affairs Diplomacy
Strengthening Efforts to Resolve International Legal Dispute
Globalization is rapidly increasing in the political and economic fields
surrounding Japan, with many foreign companies operating in Japan
and many Japanese companies operating overseas. In addition, as the
government supports the international business activities of these
companies through the conclusion of investment treaties with other
countries, the movement of products, services, and capital across
national boundaries is actively carried out.
Under these circumstances, it is expected that the number of legal
disputes before courts in foreign countries or international
organizations, in which Japanese Government or companies become a
party, is likely to increase. It is essential to build an international
economic system based on fair and impartial rules.
As part of such efforts, it is important for Japan to play a leading role
in international organizations such as United Nations Commission on
International Trade Law (UNCITRAL), which is responsible for
formulating treaties and other legal frameworks in the field of the
international trade law, in order to formulate international rules that are
compatible with Japan's legal system. It is also important to strengthen
cooperation with various dispute resolution organizations that interpret
and apply such rules.
The Ministry of Justice will continue to cooperate closely with the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other relevant ministries and agencies,
and actively contribute to the creation of fair and impartial rules in the
field of international commerce.
The Ministry of Justice makes efforts to promote and achieve United
Nation’s SDGs through these activities that contribute to crime
prevention and capacity building of legal professionals and criminal
justice practitioners. Such efforts are highly valued by international
community as well as individual countries.
Furthermore, reflecting the expansion of our roles required in the
international sphere, a growing number of officials of the Ministry of
Justice are working in foreign countries, including overseas diplomatic
establishments and international organizations. In addition, each
bureau/department of the Ministry of Justice engages in cooperation
activities in its own field. For example, in the correctional architecture
field, the Facilities Division of the Minister’s Secretariat has been
providing technical assistance to the Kingdom of Thailand and other
countries for over 20 years. In order to disseminate the achievement of
assistance to other Asian countries, the Asian Conference of
Correctional Facilities Architects and Planners (ACCFA) was established
for the first time in 2012, and held the 8th meeting in Tokyo in October
2019.
The Ministry of Justice is working on active promotion of international
cooperation in the field of legal and justice affairs.
ACCFA 8th Meeting
http://www.moj.go.jp/housouken/houso_
kyouryoc_index.html
For further details, please check
the Ministry of Justice website.
International Arbitration in Japan
Under the situation of the economy being more globalized, the
Ministry of Justice is working on promoting international arbitration
in Japan.
International arbitration is a procedure where the disputing parties
appoint third-party arbitrators and attempt to resolve the dispute
through their decision. International arbitration has many
advantages,; For example,
–it is easy to enforce the arbitration award in foreign countries in
comparison with litigation due to the New York Convention and
other treaties,
-its proceeding is private and corporate secrets are kept confidential,
-and the parties may appoint specialized and neutral arbitrators.
Due to such advantages, in cross-border transaction and
investment, resolution of business disputes by international
arbitration is global standard. However, international arbitration has
not been widely used in Japan so it is necessary to promote
international arbitration now. To promote international arbitration as
one of Japanese legal infrastructures is not only to facilitate
overseas expansion for Japanese companies but also to stimulate
foreign investment to Japan.
In September 2017, the Japanese government set up the "Liaison
Conference of the Relevant Ministries and Agencies for promoting
international arbitration" chaired by the Assistant Chief Cabinet
Secretaries, and in April 2018 they put together and open to public
the "Possible measures for promoting international arbitration". In
response to this, the Ministry of Justice has started a five-year
project since 2019 to promote international arbitration in Japan,
including the establishment of a dedicated facility, promoting and
raising awareness of companies etc. Education and training
programs have been provided for arbitrators and arbitration
practitioners in Japan and overseas. Subsequently the Japan
International Dispute Resolution Center Tokyo, which is the
dedicated facility for arbitrations and has cutting edge technology,
opened in March 2020.
The Ministry of Justice, in cooperation with relevant organizations,
will keep working passionately to enable Japan to become a regional
hub for international legal dispute resolution in Asia.487
UnifiedandAppropriate
ResolutionofDisputes
Involving
Japanese
Government
Unified and Appropriate Resolution of
Disputes Involving Japanese Government7 Lawsuits in which the Japanese government is a party include
civil lawsuits for claiming damages against the state and
administrative lawsuits for seeking the cancellation or invalidation
of administrative action.
Among such lawsuits, the proportion of serious and large-scale
cases which may potentially have profound impact on the politics,
administration and economy of the state has increased, and
remained at a high level in recent years.
The Ministry of Justice, as essential components of justice
system, contributes to the achievement of appropriate resolution
of disputes based on law and evidence, by producing evidence and
constructing an argument from the state's viewpoint in a unified
and appropriate manner. This ensures the interests of the people
as a whole and those of individuals to be harmonized properly and
thereby the principle of "rule of law" is secured.
The Litigation Bureau operates a "Preventive Legal Support
System" where the Litigation Bureau, as legal advisors within the
Japanese government, provide advice to enquiring administrative
bodies as to how to deal with the various legal problems that they
are engaged with. The Litigation Bureau’s advice is based on
expertise gained through the handling of past litigious matters.
The purpose of the "Preventive Legal Support System" is to
enable the Litigation Bureau to pre-assess the legitimacy of a
policy or a measure proposed by governmental administrative
bodies from a legal perspective in order to prevent, where
appropriate, the negative impact on Japanese citizen’s rights such
as their rights relating to life, body and property, and the advent
of legal disputes such as trials. Thus the "Preventive Legal Support
System" is a system implemented to support the efficient
realization of "the rule of law", and to protect the rights and
interests of Japanese citizens.
Litigation BureauAQ
Featured Article!
What kind of work does the Litigation Bureau do?
The Litigation Bureau represents the
Japanese government in any dispute in
which Japan is a party, and performs a range of
litigation activities including filing complaints, claims
and proofs.
In addition, the Bureau provides legal advice
upon requests by government ministries and
agencies in order to prevent legal disputes,
and gives assistance in international
litigation related to the interests of the state.
Summaries of Major Pending Lawsuits
The Litigation Bureau posts information on the Ministry of Justice website about lawsuits involving the Japanese government,
including summaries of major pending lawsuits and major decisions.
This database enables you to search and browse precedents
contained in the Monthly Litigation Report
(the information magazine issued by the Litigation Bureau).
http://www.moj.go.jp/shoumu/
shoumukouhou/shoumu01_00024.html
Database of Important Litigation Precedents
https://www.shoumudatabase.moj.go.jp/
search/html/shoumu/general/
menu_general.html
List of Major Court Decisions
http://www.moj.go.jp/shoumu/
shoumukouhou/shoumu01_00023.html
Pursuit of Lawsuits Preventive Legal Support System
Providing Support to Deal with International Legal Dispute
The progress of globalization in the political, economic and other
realms could increase the chance of Japanese government getting
involved in legal disputes before foreign courts or legal proceedings
in international organizations. The Litigation Bureau, with its skills
and expertise on legal strategies gained through litigation
practices, provides support in order to prevent such disputes in
advance or deal properly with those disputes through cooperation
with Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other relevant ministries and
agencies.
(cf. page 47 Strengthening Efforts to Resolve International Legal
Dispute)
Change in Number of Major Large-Scale Lawsuits which are pending0500
1,000
1,500
2,000
2,500
3,000
3,500
4,000
4,500
5,000
5,500
2017 2018 2019
2014 2015 2016
About 5,000
About 2,70049Qualifications and Employment
The national bar examination is designed to determine wheth-
er those who wish to become judges, public prosecutors, or at-
torneys have the necessary knowledge and practical abilities. In
2006, it was replaced by a new national bar examination more
organically linked with education provided at law school and le-
gal apprentice training.
The national bar examination can be taken by those who have
completed law school or passed the preliminary bar examina-
tion, but there is a time limit, and candidates can take the exam-
ination within a five-year period from the first day of April after
gaining qualifications.
The examination consists of a short-answer test (including
multiple-choice questions) and an essay test, and all candidates
take both tests at the same time.
The successful candidates will be qualified to enter the legal
profession as judges, prosecutors, and attorneys after training
A judicial scrivener represents a client in procedures such as
or deposition, and with authorization from the Minister of Jus-
tice, may also represent a client in summary court trial. A land
and house investigator performs investigations, surveying, and
application procedures needed for registration of real estate.
These are national examinations that determine whether can-
didates have the necessary knowledge and ability to enter into
The purpose of the preliminary bar examination is to judge
whether a person who intends to take the national bar examina-
tion has the knowledge, practical ability, and a basic grounding
in legal practices equal to those who have completed law school,
and consists of a short-answer test (including multiple-choice
questions), an essay test, and an oral test. There are no qualifi-
cation requirements for candidates.
▲さんかく
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
at the legal training center of the Supreme Court. (For details on
the training, please contact the Recruitment Division, Personnel
Affairs Bureau, Supreme Court.)
these professions, and are administered by the Minister of Jus-
tice. Both examinations consist of written and oral tests, and
those who pass the written test are entitled to take the oral test,
and passing this earns the candidate qualifications. The suc-
cessful candidates start work immediately after registration and
admission procedures.
●くろまるNational Bar Examination
●くろまるJudicial Scrivener Examination and Land and House Investigator Examination
●くろまるPreliminary Bar Examination
Qualification Examinations
■しかくResults of the National Bar Examination
CandidatesYearFigures in parentheses show the number of women from the total on the left.
Successful
candidates
Average age
of successful
candidates
Successful
percentage201620172018201920206,899
5,967
5,238
4,466
3,703
1,583(371)
1,543(315)
1,525(375)
1,502(366)
1,450(367)28.328.828.828.928.422.95%
25.86%
29.11%
33.63%
39.16%
■しかくResults of the Preliminary Bar Examination
Candidates
Year Successful candidates
Figures in parentheses show the number of women from the total on the left.2016201720182019202010,442
10,743
11,136
11,780
10,608
405(71)
444(81)
433(81)
476(85)
442(75)
■しかくResults of the National Examination for Land and House Investigators
Land and House Investigator
Examination candidates
Successful candidatesYear20162017201820192020
5,658
5,837
5,411
5,270
4,646402400418406392■しかくResults of the National Examination for Judicial Scriveners
Judicial Scrivener
Examination candidates
Successful candidatesYear2016201720182019202066062962160159520,360
18,831
17,668
16,811
14,43150QualificationsandEmployment
▲さんかくContact:
Each Regional Immigration Services Bureau’s General
Affairs Division(Personnel Division for Tokyo Regional Immigration Servic-
es Bureau)Each Immigration Center’s General
Affairs Division
Immigration control officers are as-
signed to regional immigration services
bureaus, offices, branch offices, or im-
migration detention centers, and are
responsible for detecting illegal immi-
grants or over-stayers, investigating vi-
olations, and treating and deporting
detainees.
▲さんかくContact:
Personnel Section, Regional Correction Headquarters
Prison officers are, in principle, as-
signed to prisons, juvenile prisons, or
detention houses.
In prisons and juvenile prisons, the of-
ficers provide various treatment pro-
grams for inmates to facilitate rehabili-
tation and smooth reintegration.
Detention houses mainly keep sus-
pects or defendants in custody, where
they are prevented from fleeing or at-
tempting to destroy evidence, and are
given consideration to ensure fair trial.
▲さんかくContact: Personnel Division, Minister’s Secretariat, Ministry
of Justice
Those employed in the category of public administration, judi-
cial affairs, politics and international matters, law, economics,
engineering, and culture are generally assigned to various de-
partments of the Ministry and are involved in planning measures
and policies.
Those employed in the human sciences category are assigned
to local offices to make the most of their specialized knowledge.
▲さんかくContact: Personnel Section, Regional Correction Headquarters
Correctional psychologists work at juvenile classification homes, penal institutions or juvenile training
schools as professional staff (MOJ technical official (psychology)) making use of their specialized knowl-
edge and skills to provide guidelines for treatment of detained juveniles based on analysis of the causes
of delinquency or criminal acts through interviews and psychological tests, and carry out treatment pro-
grams in penal institutions and juvenile training schools.
▲さんかくContact: Personnel Section, Regional Correction Headquar-ters Ministry of Justice instructors work mainly at juvenile training
schools or juvenile classification homes, providing specialized
education (correctional education), including lifestyle guidance
and school course guidance, as well as observation of juveniles
to develop the juveniles’ individuality and abilities and ensure
their smooth return to society based on the instructors’ broad
perspective and expertise. MOJ instructors also provide employ-
ment support instruction and course instruction at prisons.
▲さんかくContact: General Affairs Divisions of Regional Parole Boards
Probation officers work at probation offices and regional pa-
role boards, providing criminals and juvenile delinquents with
instruction through interviews and specialized treatment pro-
grams as well as job assistance, based on expert knowledge
about psychology, pedagogy, welfare and sociology, and are re-
sponsible preventing recidivism and supporting rehabilitation
within society.
▲さんかくContact: General Affairs Section, Facilities Division, Minister’s
Secretariat (architecture, electrical engineering and mechanical
engineering)
Local offices intending to employ officials (public administration)
Those employed in the public administration category, exclud-
ing in the Facilities Division of the Minister’s Secretariat (archi-
tecture, electrical engineering and mechanical engineering), are
generally assigned to local offices outside the Ministry.
The Ministry of Justice employs officials who have passed the Examination for Comprehensive Service, Examination for General
Service, Employment Examination for the Ministry of Justice Specialized Staff (Human Sciences), Prison Officer Employment Exami-
nation and Immigration Control Officer Employment Examination.
●くろまるExamination for Comprehensive Service
●くろまるImmigration Control Officers Employment Examination ●くろまるPrison Officer Employment Examination
●くろまるEmployment Examination for the Ministry of Justice Specialized Staff (Human Sciences)
Correctional Psychology Profession
Ministry of Justice Instructor Probation Officers
●くろまる
Examination for General Service
(college graduates and high school graduates)
Employment Examination for Services
The Ministry of Justice Museum and the Message Gallery inside the red-brick
building of the Ministry consists of a room restored to its original appearance
(formerly the dining room of the Justice Minister’s official residence) which
retains the atmosphere of the Meiji era, and an adjacent room with brick walls,
and exhibits various historical documents and data on the modernization of
the judiciary and architectural modernization, as well as information on
promotion and publicity for the current justice system
The Museum exhibits materials concerning the activities of
the old Ministry of Justice, including basic legislation
requiring urgent enactment in the first half of the Meiji era,
such as the laws concerning the organization of the judiciary
and criminal laws, and records of the contributions of the foreign government
advisors, in addition to displaying historical records of sensational cases in the
Meiji era as well as those related to the administration of justice.
In the Ministry of Justice Museum
Dining room of the old Justice Minister's official residence
G. Boissonade, a French jurist,
and a draft of the old Japanese
Penal Code
MoreFamiliar
MakingtheMinistry
ofJustice
The red-brick building is the only building that still exists
among all the buildings constructed as part of the Central
Government Building Integration Project promoted by the
Meiji government, and exhibits materials concerning the
establishment of the building, which has now been designated as a cultural asset
symbolizing the modernization of Japanese architectural techniques, as well as
the project to remodel and restore it to its original appearance.
Visit
Ministry of Justice Museum
and the Message Gallery
Modernization
of the Judiciary
Architectural
Modernization51MakingtheMinistryofJustice
L o c a t i o n
A c c e s s
Open Days
Open Hours
Reservations
3F Ministry of Justice Red-Brick Building,
1-1-1 Kasumigaseki, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
From Monday to Friday/Free admission
(Closed on Saturdays, Sundays, national holidays,
the year-end and New Year holidays)
From 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
(No admission after 5:30 p.m.)
Please make a reservation by phone or online
when arriving in a group of ten or more.
Reservations will be accepted three months in
advance.
Please refer to Access on back cover page.
Let’s Visit the Ministry of Justice!
Visit
Visiting the Ministry of Justice
The Ministry of Justice provides tours on request from students and children to deepen their
understanding of the role and the duties of the Ministry. You can hear an explanation of the duties of the
Ministry, have your questions answered by officers, and take a look around the Ministry of Justice Museum
and the Message Gallery located inside the red-brick building.
Commemorative photo Red-Brick Building and Central Government Office No.6-A
■しかくPublic Relations Office, Ministry of Justice
(Secretarial Division, Minister’ s Secretariat)
TEL:03-3580-4111
Contact information for tours and events of the Ministry of Justice
Please check
the latest information
on events on
the Ministry of Justice
website.
Ministry of
Justice
website
Let’s Visit the
Ministry of Justice!
"Kids Room"
Materials related to the Saiban-in (lay judge) system
and the Houterasu are also on display
We display materials about major public relations promoting deeper
understanding of the judicial system and the Ministry of Justice
among citizens, and currently exhibits materials relating to the
Saiban-in (Lay Judge) System and the Japan Legal Support Center
(Houterasu) .
Red brick and steel
Birth of the Red-Brick Building
and Architectural Techniques
German architects
Left : W. Böckmann
Right : H. Ende
ACTION!
■しかくMinistry of Justice Museum(3F)
Tel:03-3592-7911
E-mail:renga1@i.moj.go.jp
■しかくMinistry of Justice Website "The
Ministry of Justice Museum and the
Message Gallery" (Japanese-only)
http://www.moj.go.jp/
housei/tosho-tenji/housei06_00004.html5252
MakingtheMinistryofJustice53Constitution Week
(May 1‐7)
Every year, the week from May 1 to 7
around Constitution Day on May 3 is
designated as Constitution Week, with
events across the country designed to
s p r e a d k n o w l e d g e a n d p u b l i c
understanding about the spirit of the
Constitution, the functions of the justice
system and other related matters.
(Co‐hosted by the Ministry of Justice, the
Supreme Court and the Japan Federation
of Bar Associations)
Human Rights
Volunteers Day
(June 1)
Recidivism Prevention
Awareness Month (July)
Under Article 6 of the Recidivism
Prevention Promotion Act, July has been
designated Recidivism Prevention
Awareness Month, with public awareness
events held to deepen interest and
understanding of recidivism prevention
among the wider public.
"The Brighter Society Campaign"
Enhancement Month
"The Brighter Society Campaign" is a
nation‐wide campaign to help people
understand the importance of preventing
crime and delinquency and rehabilitating
offenders, combining the efforts of people in
their respective positions in the community to
build a brighter society that is free from crime
and delinquency. The highlight of this
campaign is variety of activities rooted in local
communities held in July each year across the
country that call for cooperation in and
understanding of the rehabilitation of
offenders.
Poster
"Human rights volunteers"
The Ministry of Justice holds events for elementary and junior high school
students during summer vacation, aiming to deepen their understanding of
its operations.
Although in FY 2020, events were cancelled to prevent the spread of
COVID‐19, in FY 2019, the Ministry provided some events that included a
demonstration and simulation of an interrogation by public prosecutors, a
collaborative program with the NHK TV program "Knock‐Out Bullying" , work
experience at the Immigration Services Agency, "Go for It! Child
Investigator!" by the Public Security Intelligence Agency, Learn Human Rights
sessions, wheelchair experiences, a demonstration by the special mobile
guard, and the Kodomo Rakugo show "Akarenga‐tei".
Kasumigaseki Open Day for Children
(August 18 and 19)
The power of community action to prevent
crime and delinquency, assisting in the
rehabilitation of offenders
Wheelchair experience section
A mock interrogation session by
public prosecutors
Photo session with the Ministry of Justice's mascots
Exhibition panel for
preventing recidivism
In commemoration of
the day of enactment of
t h e H u m a n R i g h t s
Volunteers Act (June 1,
1949), the 1st of June
was named Human Rights Volunteers Day.
Every year around this day, Human Rights
Volunteers carry out activities nationwide
by setting up ad‐hoc centers for human
rights counseling and conducting activities
for human rights awareness‐raising.
●くろまるConstitution Week
●くろまるIllegal Work
Prevention
Campaign
●くろまるHuman Rights
Volunteers Day
●くろまるRecidivism Prevention
Awareness Month
●くろまる"The Brighter Society Campaign"
Enhancement Month
ǴKasumigaseki Open Day
for Children
ǴNationwide Children's
ǽRights Hotline Promotion
ǽWeek
Main Weekly and Monthly Events
of the Ministry of Justice
2021.4
2022.3>E v e n tఌ4ఌ5ఌ6ఌ7ఌ8ఌ9
Poster
"Human rights volunteers"f f, e
s Volunteers Day
0570-003-110
ゼロ ゼロ みんなの ひゃくとおばん
みんなの人権110番
0570-070-810
ゼロ ナナ ゼロ の ハートライン
女性の人権ホットライン
いじめ ●くろまる差 別
●くろまる虐 待 ●くろまるセクハラ
●くろまる配偶者やパートナーからの暴力
●くろまる名誉毀損・プライバシー侵害 など
ひとりで悩まずご相談ください!♥
は守ります。
相談は無料です。
0120-007-110
ひゃくとおばん
子どもの人権110番
(通話料無料)
ぜろ なな
ぜろ の
法務省人権擁護
全国人権擁護委員連合会 ホームページ
enrenjinken.org/
●くろまる公式
ツイッター
●くろまる公式
フェイスブック
●くろまる公式
LINE
@MOJ̲JINKEN
HumanRightsBureau.MO
@JINKEN01
相 談
啓 発
法務局などで地域の皆さんからの
いじめ・差別などの人権に関する相談に応
問題解決のお手伝いをします。
小中学校などにおいて
じめなどについて考える人権教室を
実施しています。
救 済
「人権を侵害された」
という
被害者からの申告などを受け
法務局職員と協力して調査を行います。
な た の 街 の
談 パートナー
法務省人権擁護局 ホームページ
http://www.moj.go.jp/JINKEN/
index̲yougoiin‐a.html員委護擁権人員委護擁権人
あな た の 街 の
相 談 パートナー
人権擁護委員
法務省人権擁護局RAPrdeAwevunam
MakingtheMinistryofJustice5354
Human Rights Week
(December 4‐10)
The United Nations, at its 5th
G e n e r a l A s s e m b l y o n
December 4, 1950, invited all
member states to observe
December 10 to celebrate the
proclamation of the Universal
Declaration of Human Rights on
this day in 1948, and to exert increasing efforts in
the field of human rights. In Japan, the week ending
on December 10 each year was designated as
Human Rights Week in 1949, the year following the
adoption of the Declaration, and awareness‐raising
activities for human rights have been carried out
throughout the country since then.
(Hosted by the Ministry of Justice and the National
Federation of Associations of Human Rights
Volunteers)
Japan Law Day Week (October 1‐7)
Japan Law Day Festa (First Sat. of October)
Japan Law Day originates from Judicial Memorial Day, created on October 1, 1928 to
commemorate enactment of the Jury Law on October 1 of the previous year, and on June 24,
1960, the Cabinet designated the 1st of October every year as Law Day, with the week from
October 1 to 7 as Japan Law Day Week. During this week, various programs such as lectures, free
legal counseling services and other related programs are organized all across the country to
promote respect for law, the protection of fundamental human rights, and the establishment of an
orderly society through the rule of law. Every year, on the first Saturday of October, Ministry of
Justice holds an open day named "Japan Law Day Festa", and holds various programs there, so
that citizens may be encouraged to understand the importance and the role of law.
(Co‐hosted by the Ministry of Justice, the Supreme Court and the Japan Federation of Bar
Associations)
●くろまるJapan Law Day (Japan Law Day Festa)
●くろまるNotarization Week
●くろまるHuman Rights Week
●くろまるThe North Korean Human Rights Abuses
Awareness Week
An opinion exchange under the
theme of "Lowering of the age
of adulthood"
A mock court
A calligraphy performance
by Ms. Bihou Yamauchi
Every year, the week from October 1 through 7 is
designated as Notarization Week, with public awareness
activities through newspapers and TV, posters, leaflets,
lecture meetings, and consultation services held
extensively throughout the country to publicize the notary
system.
(Hosted by Japan National Notaries Association, Supported
by the Ministry of Justice)
Notarization Week(October 1‐7)
●くろまるNationwide Women's Rights
ǽHotline Promotion Week
A workshop by the special
mobile guard
Poster "Human Rights Week"
An event during
Human Rights Week
Central Event "Rehabilitation Festival" 0DNLQJWKH0LQLVWU\RI-XVWLFH
0RUH)DPLOLDUఌ10ఌ11ఌ12ఌ1ఌ2ఌ3ek 5th o n d all rve the
ersal
s on
ert increasing efforts in
Poster "Human Rights Week"
法務局では,人権侵害によ するための活動を行っています。
い。
みんなの人権110番
法務省人権擁護局
インターネット
人権相談受付窓口 https://www.jinken.go.jp/(
パソコン・スマート
フォン・) 携帯電話共通
法務省人権擁護局で検索!
◆だいやまーく人権啓発デジタルコンテンツ http://www.moj.go.jp/JINKEN/jinken04̲00041.html ◆だいやまーく人権ライブラリー http://www.jinken‐library.jp/
0570 003 110
ゼロ ゼロ みんな の ひゃく とお ばん
子どもの
人権110番
女性の人権
ホッ
トライン
0120 007 110
0570 070 810
(通話料無料)
ぜろ ぜろ なな の ひゃく とお ばん
ゼロ ナナ ゼロ の ハートライン
人KENあゆみちゃん
人権イメージキャラクター
人KENまもる君
みんなで築こう
人権の世紀
考えよう 相手の気持ち
未来へつなげよう 違いを認め合う心71第71回
12月10日は
人権デーです。日
10日
法務局では,人権侵害によ第77711回
人権
週間
An event during
H Ri h W kAby
Festival"
Central Event "Rehabilitation
An opinion exchange under theAm
A mock court
MakingtheMinistryofJustice54http://www.moj.go.jp/KIDS/index.html
Have you learnedabout the Ministry of Justice?
Now, let’
s take a look at
The Ministry of Justice in our lives!
This page is designed to give elementary and junior high school children
an easy-to-understand introduction to the Ministry of Justice. When read
together with the"Kids Room"page on the Ministry of Justice website, it
provides an even deeper understanding of the Ministry.
What are laws for?
Laws can make us happier.
Laws are rules that help us all live together
through cooperation and respect each other’sindividuality.
B y p ro t e c t i n g o u r r i g h t s a n d
showing clearly what rules we have
to comply, laws make us possible to
live and act freely and enjoy a more
fulfilling life. "Kids Room"is a website that introduces the Ministry of Justice to
elementary and junior high school students. The"What is the role of
the Ministry of Justice?"and the"Ministry of Justice in Photographs"
sections use illustrations and photographs to help explain the jobs of
each department and agency of the Ministry. Once you get a better
understanding of the Ministry, try taking the"Ministry of Justice Quiz"!There is also a children’
s human rights desk that provides counseling
on bullying and other issues.
The Ministry of Justice takes measures to make our society
safer and brighter.
For example, the Ministry makes the basic rules that help
people live with a feeling of safety. When someone commits a
crime, the Ministry educates him/her in prisons or in juvenile
training schools, or supports them to live in the community, so
that they can live a better life without committing another crime.
In addition, the Ministry takes various measures to make
society a comfortable place to live in, such as investigating
human violation cases such as bullying, so that it will not
re-occur, or conducting immigration examinations for both
Japanese and foreign nationals when they enter and depart
Japan.
There are more than 70 unique mascots
that reflect the regional characteristics and
features of each administrative agency of
the Ministry of Justice around the country,
such as the Legal Affairs Bureau, the Public
Prosecutors Office and the Probation Office,
etc. Let us introduce some of the mascots.
What is the role of
the Ministry of Justice?
What is"Kids Room"?
Kids Room
Friends of the Ministry
of Justice
The Kids Room
character"Akarenga-kun"
The Kids Room character
"Dr.Brick"
Get information
in an easy-to-
understand
quiz format.
"Akaruiine"of
Osaka Probation Office
"Jakkun"of
Nagasaki District
Legal Affairs Bureau
"Toribu"of
Tokyo Regional Immigration
Services Bureau
"Poppo-chan"of
Fukuoka Regional
Immigration Services Bureau
"The Brighter Society Campaign"
Kyoto Prefectural Promotion
Committee mascot,
"Kyonoshamei-kun"
"Katakkuri-chan"of
Asahikawa Prison
Saitama Juvenile
Classification Home
Mascot"Saikan-kun"
"Appuri"of
Aomori District Public
Prosecutors Office
"Entora-kun"of
Osaka Regional
Immigration Services Bureau551 2 3
4 5 6
7 8 9
The Ministry of Justice
is doing various work.
The Civil Affairs Bureau conducts work
involving registration, family registration,
nationality, deposit services, storage of will, and
notarization, as well as manages and operates
the Legal Affairs Bureau and the District Legal
Affairs Bureau, creates bills on basic civil laws
such as the Civil Code, the Commercial Code
and the Code of Civil Procedure.
Criminal Affairs
Bureau
The Criminal Affairs Bureau plans and drafts bills
to inflict punishment on those who commit
crimes, asks for cooperation from foreign
countries and responds to requests for
cooperation from foreign countries to
investigate cases, as well as providing
assistance for the activities of the Public
Prosecutors Office.
Correction
Bureau
The Correction Bureau is responsible for giving
guidance or supervision to correctional institutions
such as prisons or juvenile training schools so that
treatment (such as security, prison work,
classification, assessment, education, medical
treatment, hygiene, etc.) of inmates is performed
properly, and is also responsible for conducting
research and studies on new treatment methods.
Civil Affairs
Bureau
Rehabilitation
Bureau
The Rehabilitation Bureau is responsible for
giving life guidance and livelihood support in
cooperation with private citizens to offenders
and juvenile delinquents so that they are
rehabilitated in local communities and do not
turn to delinquency again, and is also
responsible for conducting crime prevention
activities such as "Yellow Feather Campaign"
and work related to parole from prisons or
juvenile training schools.
Human Rights
Bureau
The Human Rights Bureau handles various
human rights problems regarding discrimination,
abuse, bullying, and violation of privacy, and
conducts activities such as human rights
counseling, and investigations and resolution of
human rights violation cases, as well as human
rights awareness-raising in cooperation with
Human Rights Volunteers, who are private
citizens.
Litigation
Bureau
The Litigation Bureau conducts work as attor-
neys for the national government, filing motions
with the court, making claims or bearing testi-
mony on behalf of the national government in
lawsuits where the government is the plaintiff or
the defendant.
The Research and Training Institute of the
Ministry of Justice is responsible for compiling
the outcomes of the studies and research on
crimes in the White Paper on Crime as well as
providing training for the officials of the Ministry
of Justice. Also, the Institute helps create laws
for countries where laws are not yet well estab-
lished, as well as providing international training
for the prevention of crimes in cooperation with
the United Nations.
Public Prosecutors
Office
The Public Prosecutors Office investigates
crimes in cooperation with the police and
decides whether or not to bring indictments
against criminals to the court, and when decid-
ed, asks for proper punishment against criminals
by the court.
The Judicial System Department conducts a
wide range of work related to the judicial
system, including the structure of the court,
measures to make the court more accessible to
the general public, how to settle disputes by
means other than a trial, the lawyer system, and
training of legal professionals. The Department
also promotes efforts to enrich and develop
law-related education so that all citizens can
gain a good understanding of the importance of
laws and judicial process.
Judicial System
Department
ResearchandTrainingInstitute
oftheMinistryofJustice
Immigration
Services Agency
The Immigration Services Agency is responsible
for work involved in examinations when
Japanese nationals or foreign nationals enter or
depart from Japan and the deportation of illegally
staying foreign nationals, and takes the measures
necessary for coexistence with foreign nationals
by cooperating with relevant ministries and
agencies. The Agency is also responsible for
proceedings for refugee recognition when a
foreign national seeks asylum in Japan for fear of
persecution in the country of origin.
Public Security
Intelligence Agency
The Public Security Intelligence Agency
works to protect the security of the country
and the citizens from organizations that
assert themselves with violence, such as
terrorist organizations. For example, the
Agency is undertaking an investigation into
the successor organization of Aum Shinrikyo,
which committed indiscriminate mass murder
in the past, so that similar incidents will
never happen again.
Public Security
Examination Commission
The Public Security Examination Commission
is responsible for fair investigations and
neutral decisions upon request 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.
MINISTRY OF JUSTICE WORK GUIDE
and you’
ll learn more!
Read together with TheMinistryofJusticeinourdailylives
TheMinistryofJusticeinourdailylives
MakingtheMinistryofJusticeMoreFamiliar
○しろまる×ばつ
COMPANY
○しろまる×ばつ
COMPANY
The Immigration Services Agency examines Japanese and
foreign nationals whether they have any problems or not
when they enter or depart from Japan.【Work Guide 】❿The staff of the Ministry of Justice gives lessons,
creates teaching materials, etc. to communicate the
importance of law. 【Work Guide 】❼Law-Related
Education mascot, Why do we need rules?
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 】❶The Human Rights Bureau works
for the promotion of human rights
and provides counseling on
discrimination, abuse and bullying.
【Work Guide 】❺Companies’ information including
their names and addresses, and the
kinds of businesses they provide is
published under the commercia
registration system to allow businesses
to safely conduct their economic
activities.
【Work Guide 】❶Human Rights
Promotion
Characters
Human Rights
Promotion
Characters
Jin-KEN-Mamoru-Kun &
Jin-KEN-Ayumi-Chan
The Ministr
The Ministr
in our
in our
The Ministr
in our
in ourMugogesalsc
The Research and Training Institute conducts
international work by helping the countries where
laws are not well prepared create laws. 【Work Guide 】❽Public prosecutor Judge
Defendant
Defense
cousel
In collaboration with community volunteers, we
support persons who have committed crimes
and juvenile delinquents for reintegration to
society by providing consultation on daily issues
as well as encouraging them to work on activities
which can help society.【Work Guide 】
The Public prosecutor investigates cases, express their opinions
by submitting evidence to the court, etc. so that punishment is
properly imposed.【Work Guide 】
The Correction Bureau manages
facilities for rehabilitation (prisons,
juvenile training schools, etc.) that
confine those who have committed
crimes or turned to juvenile
delinquency.【Work Guide 】
The Rehabilitation Bureau is seeking
private employers who willingly hire
offenders and provide cooperation
so that the offenders can return to
society.【Work Guide 】❾❹❸❹Sarary of Justice
ry of Justice
r lives
r lives
ry of Justice
r lives
r lives
unicipal
overnment
Municipal
government
The Immigration Services Agency suports the local governments
to provide counseling for foreign residents.
【Work Guide 】
この印刷物は、
印刷用の紙へ
リサイクルできます。
リサイ
クル適性 A
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 Prose-
cutor Offices zone on the south side. The outer wall of the
building is covered with dignified red granite from Canada that
harmonizes well with the red-brick walls.
The building was completed on June 30, 1990 as the new
Ministry of Justice building. During its construction, the preser-
vation and restoration of the old Ministry of Justice building
(the present red-brick building of the Central Government
Office Complex No. 6) was discussed, leading to the conclusion
that the building should be preserved and utilized. As the only
remaining historical building among the Central Government
Building Integration Project drawn up in the Meiji era, the
retention of the building is essential for the setting of the
Kasumigaseki district. The exterior was restored to its original
state.
The original red-brick building, designed by the two German
architects W. Bockmann and H. Ende, was completed in
December of 1895 (the 28th year of Meiji) after about seven
years of construction to serve as the Ministry of Justice
building. The roofs and floors of the building were destroyed
by fire in March 1945 during World War II, but the red-brick
walls remained intact. When the structure was renovated
through the restoration work conducted from 1948 to 1950,
some alterations were made in the materials and the shape of
the roof. The present red-brick building has, however, been
restored completely to it original appearance in 1895, and its
exterior was designated as a national important cultural
property on December 27, 1994.
ACCESS TO THE MINISTRY OF JUSTICE
■しかくJR
■しかくMetro
Yamanote Line
Keihin Tohoku Line
10-minute walk from JR Yurakucho Station
Yurakucho Line
1-minute walk from Sakuradamon Station
Marunouchi Line
Hibiya Line
3-minute walk from Kasumigaseki Station
Chiyoda Line
5-minute walk from Kasumigaseki Station
Toei Mita Line
6-minute walk from Hibiya Station▶▶▶▶▶▶▶Ministry of
Agriculture,
Foresty &
Fisheries
Ministy of Health,
Labour & Welfare
UchiboriStr.5A1SakuradamonSta.
Red-Brick
Building
Tokyo High Court
Mninistry of Internal
Affairs &
Communications
Metropolitan
Police Department
Public
Prosecutors
OfficeA10Hibiya Sta.
Hibiya Park
Hibiya Str.
Iwaida Str.
Kasumigaseki Sta.
KasumigasekiSta.KasumigasekiSta.Sakurada Str.
Ministry of
Justice
1-1-1 Kasumigaseki Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-8977
Tel. 03-3580-4111 Fax. 03-3592-7393
Published in 2020 by the Public Relations Office,
MINISTRY OF JUSTICE Website : http://www.moj.go.jp/EN/index.html
Twitter @MOJ_HOUMU
YouTube MOJ Channel
この印刷物は、
印刷用の紙へ
リサイクルできます。
リサイ
クル適性 A
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 Prose-
cutor Offices zone on the south side. The outer wall of the
building is covered with dignified red granite from Canada that
harmonizes well with the red-brick walls.
The building was completed on June 30, 1990 as the new
Ministry of Justice building. During its construction, the preser-
vation and restoration of the old Ministry of Justice building
(the present red-brick building of the Central Government
Office Complex No. 6) was discussed, leading to the conclusion
that the building should be preserved and utilized. As the only
remaining historical building among the Central Government
Building Integration Project drawn up in the Meiji era, the
retention of the building is essential for the setting of the
Kasumigaseki district. The exterior was restored to its original
state.
The original red-brick building, designed by the two German
architects W. Bockmann and H. Ende, was completed in
December of 1895 (the 28th year of Meiji) after about seven
years of construction to serve as the Ministry of Justice
building. The roofs and floors of the building were destroyed
by fire in March 1945 during World War II, but the red-brick
walls remained intact. When the structure was renovated
through the restoration work conducted from 1948 to 1950,
some alterations were made in the materials and the shape of
the roof. The present red-brick building has, however, been
restored completely to it original appearance in 1895, and its
exterior was designated as a national important cultural
property on December 27, 1994.
ACCESS TO THE MINISTRY OF JUSTICE
■しかくJR
■しかくMetro
Yamanote Line
Keihin Tohoku Line
10-minute walk from JR Yurakucho Station
Yurakucho Line
1-minute walk from Sakuradamon Station
Marunouchi Line
Hibiya Line
3-minute walk from Kasumigaseki Station
Chiyoda Line
5-minute walk from Kasumigaseki Station
Toei Mita Line
6-minute walk from Hibiya Station▶▶▶▶▶▶▶Ministry of
Agriculture,
Foresty &
Fisheries
Ministy of Health,
Labour & Welfare
UchiboriStr.5A1SakuradamonSta.
Red-Brick
Building
Tokyo High Court
Mninistry of Internal
Affairs &
Communications
Metropolitan
Police Department
Public
Prosecutors
OfficeA10Hibiya Sta.
Hibiya Park
Hibiya Str.
Iwaida Str.
Kasumigaseki Sta.
KasumigasekiSta.KasumigasekiSta.Sakurada Str.
Ministry of
Justice
1-1-1 Kasumigaseki Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-8977
Tel. 03-3580-4111 Fax. 03-3592-7393
Published in 2020 by the Public Relations Office,
MINISTRY OF JUSTICE Website : http://www.moj.go.jp/EN/index.html
Twitter @MOJ_HOUMU
YouTube MOJ Channel