Criminal Justice in Japan

I. Police
A. Introduction 1
B. Outline of the Present Police Organization 1
1. National Public Safety Commission 1
2. National Police Agency 1
3. Prefectural Police 2
C. Police Functions 2
1. Criminal Investigation 2
2. Police Work with Juveniles 3

II. Prosecution
A. Qualification 4
B. Organization 4
C. Functions and Jurisdiction 4
D. Status(Independence and Impartiality) 5

III. Courts
A. Structure 6
1. Introduction 6
2. The Supreme Court 6
3. High Court 7
4. District Court 7
5. Family Court 7
6. Summary Court 7
B. Independence of the Judiciary 7
1. Appointment of Judges 8
2. Qualifications and Categories of Judges 8

IV. Corrections
A. Organization of the Correctional Administration 9
B. Size of Penal Institutions 9
C. Correctional Officials 10

V. Rehabilitation
A. Organization and Function 10
B. Probation Officers 10
C. Extensive Use of Volunteers 11
1. Volunteer Probation Officers (VPO) 11
2. Juridical Person for Offenders Rehabilitation 12
3. Cooperative Volunteer Organization 12

Chapter 2

Crime Trends (PDF 67KB)

I. Penal Code Offences 13
A. Trends in Penal Code Offences 13
B. Trends in Some Major Crimes 15

II. Special Law Offences15

Chapter 3

Pre-Trial Criminal Procedure (PDF 322KB)

I. Introduction 16

II. Constitutional Safeguards16

III. Procedure from Arrest to Trial 16
A. Investigative Agencies 16
B. Investigation Process 17
1. Outline 17
2. Arrest 17
3. Pre-Indictment Detention 18
4. Collection of Evidence 18
5. Defence Counsel's Communication with the Suspect 19
6. Bail 19
C. DISPOSITION OF CASES
1. Initiation of Prosecution 20
2. Monopolization of Prosecution 20
3. Non-prosecution 20
4. Notification Program to Victims 21
5. Inquest of Prosecution(Prosecution Review Commission) 21
6. Hansoku-kin(Pecuniary Penalty against Traffic Infractions)Procedure 22

Chapter 4

Trial Process (PDF 168KB)

I. Principle 23
A. Presumption of Innocence 23
B. PublicTrials 23

II. Criminal Trial Procedure 23
A. Indictment 23
B. Preparation for Trial 24
1. Preparation by the Parties and the Court 24
2. Discovery of Evidence 24
C. Trial Procedure 25
1. Opening Proceedings 25
2. Examination of Evidence 25
3. Questioning of Defendant 25
4. Closing Arguments 25
D. Evidentiary Rules 26
1. Hearsay Evidence 26
2. Confession 26
3. Exclusionary Rule 26
E. Adjudication 27
F. Sentencing 28
1. Punishment 28
2. Statutory Punishment 28
3. Sentencing Practice 28
4. Sentencing Outcome 29
G. Speedy Trial 29

III. Appeals 29
A. Kouso Appeals 30
B. Joukoku Appeals 30

IV. Extraordinary Remedies 30

V. Punishment 31
A. Categories 31
B. Suspension of Execution of Sentence 31
C. Parole 32

VI. Compensation for Innocence 32

VII. Special Procedures for Juvenile Cases 32

Chapter 5

Correctional Service(PDF 490KB)

I. Introduction 34

II. Effective Treatment of Prisoners34
A. Trends of Prison Population 34
B. Philosophy on the Treatment of Prisoners 34
C. Progressive Treatment and Classification System 35
D. Prison Industry and Vocational Training 35
E. Educational Programs 35
F. Grievance System 36
G. Well-maintained Order and Discipline 36

III. Treatment of Inmates in Juvenile Training Schools 36
A. Living Guidance 37
B. Vocational Guidance 37
C. Academic Education 37
D. Physical and Health Education 37
E. Medical Care 38

Chapter 6

Rehabilitation of Offenders (PDF 453KB)

I. Probation and Parole 39
A. Probation 39
1. Juvenile Probationer 39
2. Adult Probationer 39
B. Parole System 39
1. Subjects of Parole 39
2. Parole Procedure 40
C. Probation and Parole Conditions 41
D. Supervision and Process 41
1. Supervision and Treatment 41
2. Intensive Supervision by PPOs 42
3. Special Treatment Schemes 43
E. Termination of Probation and Parole 44
F. Material Aids in Probation and Parole 44
G. Outcome of Supervision 44

II. After Care of Discharged Offenders 45

III. Pardons 45

IV. Crime Prevention Activities 45