The Law concerning Prevention of Injury to Witnesses, etc. , was promulgated in April1958,along with partial amendments to the Penal Code and the Code of Criminal Procedure. This was because heinous offenses by organized crime groups proliferated as well as violent offenses including bodily injury and violent acts against witnesses and their friends or relatives, in relation to criminal investigations and trials for incidents involving gangsters. The Law took effect in July1958.
  The Law stipulates the provision of medical treatment, sickness/injury, disability, survivor, funeral and other benefits when witnesses in criminal cases or their friends or relatives are killed or injured by others in connection with their testimony before courts, judges or investigating authorities or their appearance in court to make such testimony, or when official defense counsels or their friends or relatives suffer similar injury as they perform, or try to perform, their duties. A partial amendment to the Law, effective since April1,1996,provides for a new nursing care benefit for victims receiving necessary care as a result of injury covered by sickness/injury benefit or disability benefit.
  Those who wish to receive any of the benefits prescribed by the Law shall submit an application to the Minister of Justice, who decides on the payment. Benefits have been paid in5cases so far(source:Criminal Affairs Bureau, Ministry of Justice).