1 Violations of the Minor Offenses Act, etc.

  Fig. 1-2-2-1 shows the number of persons newly received by public prosecutors offices for violations of the Minor Offenses Act (Act No. 39 of 1948), Firearms and Swords Control Act, Amusement Business Act, and Anti-Prostitution Act (Act. No. 118 of 1956), over the last 10 years (see Appendix 1-4).

Fig. 1-2-2-1  Number of persons newly received by public prosecutors offices for violations of the Minor Offenses Act, etc. (1998–2007)

  Violation of the Minor Offenses Act, which increased sharply in 2006, also increased in 2007, being up 9.3% from the previous year. In recent years, violations of the Firearms and Swords Control Act and Amusement Business Act have also been on a rising trend. In 2007, violation of the Firearms and Swords Control Act increased by 11.0% and violation of the Amusement Business Act increased slightly by 1.8% from the previous year.
  With regard to the Firearms and Swords Control Act, the “Act for Partial Amendment of the Act for Controlling the Possession of Firearms or Swords and Other Such Weapons and the Ordnance Manufacturing Act” (Act No. 120 of 2007) that was enforced on December 30 in 2007 established aggravated punitive clauses for the organized firing or possession of handguns, etc. and possession of more than one handgun. In addition, penal regulations were tightened for the importation, etc. of handguns or ammunition for the purpose of profit, violation of the restriction on firing approved firearms, and violation of the prohibition on carrying knives.