In regard to the trends of crimes in Japan, the number of reported cases of non-traffic penal code offenses hit a peak in 2002 and has been on a downward trend, but still remains at a high level. The situation does not at all allow optimism, and the general public is seriously concerned about the deterioration of public safety.
  Responding to the deteriorating crime environments and the general public's deepening anxiety about crimes, the government established "Action Program to Create Crime-Resistant Society - Aiming for the Restoration of Japan as the World's Safest Country -" at the ministerial meeting on countermeasures against crimes in December 2003, and has established and implemented various measures.
  In addition to the Action Program, various new trends have been observed in areas related to criminal policy. These new trends cover wide-ranging areas, including activities for preventing crimes by local residents, new legislation on criminal affairs, sentencing at court, and efforts made inside and outside institutions concerning the treatment of offenders for preventing repeat offenses.
  Among these trends, with regard to the treatment of offenders, the girl abduction-murder case in Nara in November 2004 which was committed by a man with a history of sexual offense heightened the general public's concern about the enhancement of treatment for sex offenders so as to prevent them from committing an offense again. In FY2006, sex offender treatment programs through correction and rehabilitation were initiated. Furthermore in 2005, significant repeat offenses were committed frequently by parolees whose whereabouts were unknown, which prompted the general public to pay closer attention to the function of rehabilitation services to prevent repeat offenses. Consequently, the "Advisory Committee on the Future of Rehabilitation" compiled recommendations on reform of the rehabilitation service system and submitted them to the Minister of Justice in June 2006. Based on these recommendations, efforts for reforming the system have been carried out.
  Along with these various movements, reform of the judicial system, which is the top-priority issue the judiciary now faces, has been promoted continuously.
  In light of the above-mentioned background, this White Paper outlines crime trends and the treatment of offenders mainly in 2005, and features on new trends related to criminal policy appear under the title of "New Trends of Criminal Policy."
  In the special section, we take up sexual offenses as an example of crimes that cause the general public's anxiety in daily life and attract public concern, while analyzing recent crime environments and outlining various measures related to restoration of public safety. After analyzing trends of sexual offenses, and the reality of sex offenders and their repeat offenses, we introduce new efforts on the treatment of sex offenders for preventing repeat offenses as one of the new movements related to criminal policy. We also examine the trends of sexual offenses and countermeasures undertaken in foreign countries. Furthermore, we take up reform of the judicial system including the introduction of the Saiban-in system, explain the progress of the reform, and consider problems and measures for implementing the new system. Lastly, based on these, we discuss what the future criminal policy should be like so as to serve as a reference for further discussion.
  It is our hope that this White Paper will be an informative reference in broadly deepening the general public's understanding of recent criminal trends and new movements related to criminal policy and be a help in the process of promoting various efforts on criminal policy in the future.
  Lastly, we wish to express our sincere gratitude to the General Secretariat of the Supreme Court of Japan, the Cabinet Office, National Police Agency, Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, and other concerned institutions for their enormous cooperation in compiling this White Paper.

November 2006
     Eiji Matsunaga
     President
     Research and Training Institute
     Ministry of Justice
     Japan

  This White Paper was undertaken during Mr. Eiji Matsunaga's presidency at the Research and Training Institute of the Ministry of Justice of Japan, and thereafter, he has been promoted to Superintending Prosecutor of the Hiroshima High Prosecutors Office.

January 2008
     Yoshinobu Onuki
     President
     Research and Training Institute
     Ministry of Justice
     Japan