Classified treatment is a system whereby probationers and parolees are divided into "Class A" or "Class B", depending on the difficulty of their treatment and under certain criteria in line with scientific views. Under this system, "Class A" probationers and parolees who are judged to have a number of problems and to be difficult to treat shall receive direct and positive treatment by probation officers. Fig. 4-2-6-4 shows the trends in the rate of probationers and parolees who were assigned to "Class A" since the classified treatment system started in 1989. The level of delinquency has worsened for parolees from juvenile training schools, which include those having complicated problems, compared with juvenile probationers. Therefore, the Class A rate for juvenile parolees is traditionally high, largely remaining within the range of 30% or over but below 40% since 1989. However, it has been on a downward trend in recent years, remaining within the range of 20% or over but below 25% since 1997.

Fig. 4-2-6-4 Trends in Class A rate (1989-2001, as of December 31)

  Categorized treatment is a system whereby the problems and other characteristics of probationers and parolees are divided into 10 categories according to the nature of the crime or delinquency, environmental conditions and other circumstances. Concrete treatment guidelines are set for each category and treatment is implemented focusing on these characteristics. Probationers and parolees who fall under more than one category shall be assigned to more than one category and subject to corresponding types of treatment. Categories relating to juveniles are unemployed juveniles, etc., junior high school pupils, bosozoku, abuse of thinners, etc., school violence, etc. For instance, counseling, etc., is given to unemployed juveniles, etc. and to make them reflect on themselves with respect to their unemployment condition or life situation, and information regarding employment is provided therewith. After they begin to be hired, achievements should be evaluated and encouraged, and the employment period should be gradually prolonged, etc. Table 4-2-6-5 shows the percentages of juvenile probationers and parolees belonging to the major categories in the categorized treatment system as of December 31, 2001.

Table 4-2-6-5 Percentages of juvenile probationers and parolees by category (as of Dec. 31, 2001)

  The short-term probation for traffic offenses provides for group treatment concerning careful driving, etc., for juveniles whose tendency toward traffic delinquency has not been established. It also requires individual juveniles to report monthly on their living conditions. They will be discharged from probation after a short period of 3 or 4 months, in principle-unless an offense is repeated while driving vehicles.
   Table 4-2-6-6 shows the number of juveniles terminated and released under the short-term probation for traffic offenses as well as the implementation of group treatment in the past 5 years.

Table 4-2-6-6 Number of juveniles received and terminated under short-term probation for traffic offenses and implementation of group treatment (1997-2001)

  Of the juveniles on probation for offenses other than professional negligence in traffic accidents and road traffic violations, short-term probation for regular offenses covers those who have not markedly developed delinquent tendencies and for whom improvement and rehabilitation may be expected after a short period of probationary supervision. Implemented in approximately 6 or 7 months, the scheme selects particularly important guidance areas for the rehabilitation of individual juveniles, such as lifestyle, school life, employment relationships, family relationships, friendship, etc., in which to conduct intensive treatment focused on certain assignments corresponding to such guidance areas. The scheme also requires juveniles to submit periodical reports on their living conditions.
  4,676 juveniles (18.8% of juvenile probationers excluding those on short-term probation for traffic offenses) were received under this scheme in 2001 (Source: Annual Report of Statistics on Rehabilitation).

  Social participation activities mainly involve the participation of juveniles on probationary supervision in volunteer work, such as assisting in nursing care in homes for the aged and cleaning activities in parks. They are implemented as part of the treatment mainly for juvenile probationers, but also for juveniles on short-term probation for regular offenses. In 2001, such activities were conducted 506 times nationwide (631 times in the previous year), with the participation of 1,578 juveniles (1,777 in the previous year) (Source: Rehabilitation Bureau, Ministry of Justice).