2 Work

After the introduction of imprisonment, necessary work shall be assigned to inmates sentenced to imprisonment and penal detention, as needed, for the purpose of reformation and rehabilitation or smooth reintegration into society.

The average daily number of inmates engaged in work in Fiscal Year (FY) 2024, before the introduction of imprisonment, was 25,456. In addition, as of the end of March of 2025, 82.4% of inmates sentenced to imprisonment without work were engaged in work. (Source: the Correction Bureau, Ministry of Justice).

In FY2024, a total of 60 types of vocational courses were offered in penal institutions, including courses in business skills, information processing technology, and career guidance. A total of 7,804 inmates completed these courses, while 6,536 inmates in total acquired qualifications or licenses as a hazardous materials engineer or boiler technician, or in certified care worker training, etc. (Source: the Correction Bureau, Ministry of Justice).