Pardon is a measure to nullify punitive authority without trial, or to change or nullify contents or effects of trials. Japan has the following five types of pardons: general pardon, special pardon, commutation of sentence, remission of execution of sentence, and restoration of rights.
  Pardons may be roughly divided into pardons by Cabinet Order, which are implemented uniformly and pardons for specific persons which are granted to specific persons based on individual examinations. Pardons for specific persons can be further divided into routine pardons and pardons by special standards. Routine pardons are implemented at any time while pardons by special standards are implemented for a fixed period of time based on criteria decided by the cabinet.
  The pardons granted in 2006 were routine pardons only. In 2006, seven persons were granted remission of execution of sentence and 47 were granted restoration of rights (Source: Annual Report of Statistics on Rehabilitation).