NCJ Number
216977
Date Published
2004
Length
41 pages
Annotation
Two papers by Japanese police executives describe an action program designed to create a crime-resistant society in Japan and discuss procedures for the development of crime prevention measures in Japan.
Abstract
The Action Program to Create a Crime-Resistant Society is a comprehensive government-sponsored program begun in December 2003. The aims of the program are to return Japan to its status as the safest country in the world, reduce the public's fear of crime, and reduce by half the approximately 250,000 illegal foreign residents in the country over the next 5 years. The latter group is considered a breeding ground for crime. The published Action Program consists of a preamble composed of basic concepts, followed by 148 individual measures placed under 5 major categories of action. These five major categories are preventing crime that threatens the public peace, preventing juvenile crime by community action as a whole, controlling transnational threats, protecting the economy and society from organized crime, and developing infrastructures for public safety. The second paper, which focuses on crime prevention measures, discusses the policy entitled, "Comprehensive Countermeasures Against Street Crime and Break-in Crimes." The discussion features a review of the changes in the crime situation in Japan after World War II, how the current crime situation developed, and what countermeasures against crime have been developed. In order to implement effective countermeasures nationwide, the Japanese police have created the Task Force for Preventing Street Crime and Break-in Crimes. The task force is focusing on specific regions and crime types based on the results of crime analysis and the requests and perspectives of local residents expressed at conferences held at police stations. Police agencies will cooperate in addressing crimes with a regional character.