NOTES

[WHITE PAPER ON CRIME]

I. Sources

1. Original White Paper on Crime

This White Paper is a summary and translated version of the “White Paper on Crime” 2021 (the original version is written/described in Japanese), one of annual publications of the Ministry of Justice in Japan. The translations in this Paper are tentative and are to be considered solely as a reference. For more statistics and further details, refer to the original Japanese version.

2. Data sources

Statistics, Tables, Figures and other information presented in the White Paper on Crime are specially provided by the respective bureaus/departments of the Ministry of Justice and the Immigration Services Agency, and are also obtained from various research or surveys conducted by relevant agencies, as well as the following official statistics:

The statistical data sources up to May 14, 1972 do not include data for Okinawa Prefecture.

3. Coverage of statistical materials

The data in this Paper are based on statistical materials that were available by the end of July 2021. Unless otherwise indicated, the most recent annual figures are of the year 2020. Any corrections made to the data offered or publicized by relevant agencies will be reflected in subsequent editions of this Paper if deemed necessary.

[OFFENSES AND TERMS]

I. Definitions of offenses

The offense names in this White Paper are used in accordance with the following meanings and the definitions in the sources, unless specified otherwise.

1. Penal Code offenses

Penal Code offenses” refer to those offenses prescribed by the Penal Code (Act No. 45 of 1907) and violations of the following laws, except offenses against the Penal Code that fall under 2 and 3 below:

2. Dangerous driving causing death or injury

Dangerous driving causing death or injury” refers to offenses provided in Article 2, Article 3, and Article 6, paragraphs (1) and (2) of the Act on Punishment of Acts Inflicting Death or Injury on Others by Driving a Motor Vehicle (Act No. 86 of 2013) and offenses provided in Article 208-2 of the Penal Code prior to its amendment by Act No. 86 of 2013.

3. Negligent driving offenses causing death or injury

Negligent driving offenses causing death or injury” refer to [1] offenses provided in Article 4, Article 5, and Article 6, paragraphs (3) and (4) of the Act on Punishment of Acts Inflicting Death or Injury on Others by Driving a Motor Vehicle, offenses that cause death or injury through negligence in vehicle driving (offenses provided in Article 211, paragraph (2) of the Penal Code prior to its amendment by Act No. 86 of 2013) and [2] offenses causing death or injury through (gross) negligence in pursuit of social activities.

4. Special Acts offenses

Special Acts offenses” refer to offenses other than those referred to in 1 to 3 above and include violations of Prefectural/Municipal Ordinances and Regulations.

II. Definitions of terms

1. Police

2. Prosecution and courts

3. Correction and rehabilitation

4. Juvenile cases

5. Others

[PRESENTATION IN THE WHITE PAPER]

I. Numbering of figures and tables

The numbering of figures and tables is indicated in the order of Part, Chapter, and Section. For example, Fig. 2-4-1-3 refers to the third figure in Section 1 of Chapter 4 of Part 2. This English version of the White Paper on Crime 2021 does not necessarily correspond to the numbering of the figures and tables of the original Japanese White Paper on Crime 2021.

II. Presentation of values, etc.

1. Presentation of tables:

2. Presentation of figures:

[OTHERS]

I. Calculation

The proportion and percentage, etc. are rounded off. Therefore, the sum of the proportions may not add up to 100.0.

The sum or difference of each proportion is calculated by first adding or subtracting values and then rounding off the resulting value. Thus, the value may not match the value calculated by first rounding off each value and then adding or subtracting the rounded off values.

For example, when calculating the difference between 12.76 and 7.53, first subtract 7.53 from 12.76 and then round off the value 5.23 to obtain the result of 5.2, rather than subtracting the rounded off value of 7.5 from the rounded off value of 12.8 (which yields 5.3).

II. Website

This White Paper on Crime 2021 and its original Japanese version are available on the website of the Ministry of Justice of Japan.