NCJ Number
216979
Date Published
2004
Length
73 pages
Annotation
This report presents 2004 police statistics on overall crime and specific types of crime in Japan, as well as clearance rates and countermeasures.
Abstract
In 2004, 2,562,767 crimes were known to police, compared to 2,790,136 known to police in 2003 (an 8.1-percent decrease). Clearances by police increased 3.0 percent compared to 2003, continuing the upward trend achieved in 2003. Larceny offenses declined 11.4 percent from the previous year. Offenses against intellectual property increased 32.8 percent, and serious index offenses decreased 5.9 percent, the first decrease in 10 years. The number of juvenile suspects declined to 134,847, a 6.6-percent decrease from the previous year after increasing for four straight years. Juveniles charged with felonies decreased to 1,584, a 28.4-percent decrease from the previous year. A total of 7,557 economic crimes were cleared nationwide, with 10,942 suspects arrested. Offenses classified as economic crimes include illegal money lending, illegal waste disposal, and infringement of intellectual property rights. There were 2,081 computer-related crimes, an increase of 13 percent from the previous year. An overview of organized crime notes that Boryokudan gangs further diversified their fundraising activities while concealing the true nature of their organizational structure. The three major groups, particularly the Yamaguchi-gumi, increased the gang's dominance of the organized crime scene. International organized crime groups are behind a significant number of offenses including trafficking in illegal aliens. Countermeasures against Boryokudan gangs are outlined. Other sections of this report present statistics and policies on drug and firearm control, transnational crime, fatal traffic accidents and traffic law violations, motorcycle gangs, and Japan's crime victim payment system. Tables and figures