Juvenile crime and justice in Japan

Juvenile justice has become a prominent issue in Japan. This follows the brutal murder of two young children by a 14-year old boy in Kobe in 1997, the fatal stabbing of a female teacher at her school by a 13- year old boy this January and other attacks involving knives, and statistics showing a significant increase in juvenile crime. These events were much reported and shocked many in a country where social order and a low level of crime are sources of national pride. This article outlines the system of juvenile justice in Japan and reports on calls for its reform and may be of some interest to those concerned with youth justice in England and Wales where important changes in the law are shortly to take effect.