(1)Types of probation
  Probation is designed to let offenders and juvenile delinquents lead normal lives in society while guiding them in the observance of specific conditions and giving them the necessary guidance and support, thus helping them to reform and rehabilitate themselves.
  Types of probationer and their respective lengths of probation are as follows:
[1] Juvenile probationers (juvenile offenders placed on probation by a decision of a family court)  In principle, from the date of disposition until the probationer's 20th birthday, or, if the probationer is already over 18, 2years from the date of disposition.
[2] Juvenile parolees (juveniles granted provisional release from juvenile training schools)  In principle, from the date of provisional release from juvenile training school until the parolee's 20th birthday.
[3] Adult parolees (inmates granted parole from correctional institutions)  In principle, from the date of parole until the remainder of the penal sentence has expired.
[4] Adult probationers (offenders whose execution of the sentence has been suspended on condition of probation) From the date of the final adjudication until the end of the suspension of execution of the sentence.
[5] Women's guidance home parolees (women granted provisional release from women's guidance homes)
  From the date of provisional release from the women's guidance home until the remainder of the guidance period has expired.
(2)How probation is implemented
a System of collaboration between probation officers and volunteer probation officers
  Treatment during probation is usually based on a system of collaboration between probation officers and volunteer probation officers. This means that, for an individual probationer, probation officers and volunteer probation officers collaborate to take care of probationers and parolees as probation enforcing entities.
  Probation officers perform their duties using specialist knowledge based on psychology, pedagogics, sociology, and various other sciences related to rehabilitation. Volunteer probation officers(private-sector volunteers commissioned by the Minister of Justice), meanwhile, take care of activities that have a regional or private-sector nature.
  Probation officers clarify problem areas of probationers and parolees, and establish guidelines, etc. , in implementing probation and provide treatment plans at the beginning of the probation, based on interviews with the probationer, related records, and so on. Volunteer probation officers guide and support the probationer and his or her family members by direct contact through interviews, home visits, etc. , in line with this treatment plan. The course of this treatment is reported by the volunteer probation officers to the probation office every month. In response, probation officers, while maintaining contact with the volunteer probation officers, devise treatment measures to address changes in the situation, such as interviewing the probationer and related parties whenever necessary.
  Japan's probation system is characterized by the fact that the specialist and scientific expertise of probation officers is organically combined with the regional and private-sector character of volunteer probation officers, through this system of collaboration.
b Volunteer probation officers
  Volunteer probation officers have the mission of aiding the reform and rehabilitation of those who have committed crimes, helping to establish a community without crime and delinquency by striving to enlighten public opinion towards crime prevention, and thereby contributing to individual and public welfare. Certain conditions for eligibility are stipulated. For example, their character and actions must be socially acceptable, they must have the necessary enthusiasm and surplus of time to perform their duties, and so on. They must also keep the confidentiality of all parties concerned. Volunteer probation officers are not paid a salary, but receive reimbursement for all or part of the costs arising in the course of their duties.
  The Volunteer Probation Officer Law stipulates that the number of volunteer probation officers should not exceed 52,500. As of January 1st, 2000, there were 48,860 such officers, with an average age of 63.2. The proportion of female volunteer probation officers is increasing year by year, and stood at 23.6% as of the above date (source:Rehabilitation Bureau, Ministry of Justice).
  Meanwhile, with a view to increasing volunteer probation officers'ability to treat offenders, probation offices conduct various forms of training on a regular and planned basis.