Comparative Analysis of the US and Japanese Juvenile Justice Systems

• NCJ Number: 87081
• Journal: Juvenile and Family Court Journal Volume: 33 Issue: 4 Dated: (November 1982) Pages: 55-62
• Author(s): E P Berezin
• Date Published: 1982
• Length: 8 pages
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/; NCJRS Photocopy Services
• Publication Type: Survey (Cross-Cultural)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

Japan's juvenile justice system is described under the topics of juvenile classification, actors in the juvenile justice system, and the case flow process, and the system is briefly compared to that of the United States.

Abstract

Juveniles in Japan are classified as (1) juvenile offenders (persons between the ages of 14 and 20 alleged to have committed a criminal offense), (2) law breaking child (a child below 14 years-old alleged to have committed a criminal offense), and (3) preoffense juveniles (problem juveniles deemed at-risk of committing an offense). Judges involved in juvenile and family cases are highly qualified by virtue of eligibility standards (must have been an associate judge or practiced as an attorney for 10 years). Family court probation officers must be college graduates who have majored in social work, psychology, or education. Unique to the Japanese legal process is the use of medical officers who work in clinics associated with each of the family courts. Another unique aspect of the Japanese juvenile justice system is the use of family court counselors and conciliation commissioners. Japan uses a multifaceted case flow process for juveniles in which there are opportunities for court personnel at all levels to interview, evaluate, and assess both the merits of the case and the juvenile involved. The police participate extensively in the court process, and the possible modes of disposition include dismissal prior or subsequent to an initial hearing, probation, referral to the public prosecutor, and commitment to an institution. The following are the four types of training schools: (1) primary schools for those between 14 and 16 who show no serious mental or physical deficiency, (2) middle schoools for juveniles between 16 and 20 who have no serious mental or physical problem, (3) advanced schools reserved for juveniles who show a tendency to commit serious crimes (usually ranging from 16-23 years-old), and (4) medical training schools which are used exclusively for juveniles who suffer from serious mental or physical infirmities. The programs for juvenile offenders focus on social education. Twelve notes are listed.