106.En el caso de los ocho funcionarios de la prisión de Nagoya acusados de haber ocasionado lesiones graves a un recluso y provocado la muerte a otros dos a los que agredieron tras haberlos sujetado con esposas de cuero, los funcionarios fueron detenidos e investigados durante el período comprendido entre el 8 de noviembre de 2002 y el 20 de marzo de 2003 y fueron procesados ulteriormente bajo la acusación de haber cometido el delito de muerte o lesiones derivadas de violencia y crueldad infligidas por un funcionario público especial. De los ocho funcionarios citados, uno fue condenado por el Tribunal de Distrito de Nagoya el 31 de marzo de 2004 y los siete restantes tienen sus causas pendientes de resolución por el mismo tribunal.

Órganos de derechos humanos

107.Los órganos de derechos humanos del Ministerio de Justicia carecen de la autoridad para realizar investigaciones compulsivas. Sin embargo, conforme a lo dispuesto en las Directrices de investigación y resolución de casos de atentados contra los derechos humanos, cuando llegue a su conocimiento un caso susceptible de constituir un atentado contra los derechos humanos, gracias a la denuncia de una persona que declare haber sido torturada o a otras fuentes de información, esos órganos investigarán el caso y, si se confirma efectivamente que se trata de un atentado contra los derechos humanos, adoptarán las oportunas medidas de resarcimiento, según proceda, y conminarán a las personas implicadas a respetar los derechos humanos, con lo que resarcirán a las víctimas y evitarán que se conculquen esos derechos.

108.Habida cuenta de que la Convención había entrado en vigor en el Japón a partir del 29 de julio de 1999, el caso de la prisión de Nagoya, en el cual se llevó a juicio a unos funcionarios de prisiones por haber abusado de algunos reclusos y por haberles ocasionado la muerte o lesiones graves, se investigó como era debido y se recomendó al director de la prisión que educara exhaustivamente a todos los funcionarios de la prisión en el respeto de los derechos humanos, instituyera un régimen efectivo de instrucción y supervisión y adoptara todas las medidas que estuvieran en su poder para impedir que se repitieran incidentes análogos. (Véase el anexo X: Directrices de investigación y resolución de casos de atentados contra los derechos humanos, arts. 2, 8 y 14.)

M. Artículo 13

109. Dentro del ordenamiento jurídico interno del Japón hay una disposición exhaustiva que guarda relación con el presente artículo, a saber, el artículo 16 de la Constitución, en el que se reconoce a toda persona el derecho de solicitar pacíficamente la reparación de daños, la destitución de los titulares de funciones y cargos públicos, la promulgación, derogación o modificación de leyes, ordenanzas o reglamentos y otras cuestiones; y se le reconoce también el derecho a no ser discriminada por haber presentado una solicitud de esa índole. Además, el derecho a presentar una denuncia y la necesidad de protección que tienen el denunciante y los testigos, los cuales se reconocen en el presente artículo de la Convención, se garantizarán por los siguientes medios.

Garantía del derecho de toda persona que alegue haber sido sometida a tortura a presentar una denuncia

a) Medidas que pueden adoptar los ciudadanos

Presentación de una denuncia

110. Toda persona que alegue haber sido sometida a tortura podrá, como ya se ha dicho, presentar una denuncia (artículo 230 del Código de Procedimiento Penal), solicitar al Comité de Investigación Judicial que revise una resolución en virtud de la cual se haya decidido no incoar procedimiento judicial (párrafo 1 del artículo 30 de la Ley de investigación judicial) y solicitar a un tribunal que juzgue un caso de delito de violencia y crueldad por parte de un funcionario público especial (párrafo 1 del artículo 262 del Código de Procedimiento Penal).

111.Toda persona a la que se haya privado de su libertad y negado las debidas garantías jurídicas podrá solicitar reparación a un tribunal superior o de distrito conforme a lo previsto en el artículo 2 de la Ley de hábeas corpus. (Véase el anexo XI: Legislación japonesa relativa al artículo 13 de la Convención contra la Tortura: Código de Procedimiento Penal, arts. 230 y 262; Ley de investigación judicial, arts. 2 y 30; Ley de hábeas corpus, arts. 2 y 4.)

b) Medidas que pueden adoptar los detenidos

Celdas de detención policiales

112.Cuando una persona que se halle en una celda de detención policial denuncie que ha sido sometida a tortura, el encargado de la celda se lo comunicará al jefe de la comisaría de policía, por conducto del jefe del servicio de detenciones, y el jefe de la comisaría investigará el asunto inmediatamente y le comunicará el resultado de la investigación a la persona detenida. (Véase el anexo XI: Reglamento de detención de sospechosos, art. 19.)

113.Dentro de la policía se ha instituido el régimen de inspección general para investigar o examinar los delitos, los comportamientos ilegales y los accidentes que se produzcan durante el ejercicio de las funciones oficiales desde el punto de vista de la supervisión administrativa, a fin de garantizar que los subordinados acaten las órdenes de los superiores y de mantener la disciplina. Cuando haya, o se denuncie que hay, una infracción de la disciplina, por ejemplo el caso de un agente de policía que haya tratado de manera improcedente a un sospechoso, el funcionario nombrado para la inspección investigará el caso de inmediato y comunicará el resultado de la investigación a la persona que lo haya nombrado. Cuando se estime que ha habido un comportamiento que justifique la adopción de sanciones disciplinarias, la persona investida de la autoridad oportuna podrá imponer esas sanciones, que consistirán, por ejemplo, en amonestar al funcionario de policía, recortarle el sueldo o suspenderle o cesarle en el cargo.

Instituciones penitenciarias

114.Cuando una persona internada en una institución penitenciaria denuncie que ha sido sometida a tortura, podrá presentar una solicitud a un órgano investigador valiéndose del procedimiento de interposición de querellas criminales mencionado supra y pedir que se examine su caso con celeridad e imparcialidad, y también podrá interponer una demanda civil o administrativa.

115.Además, existe un procedimiento de petición en virtud del cual los reclusos pueden presentar una denuncia al Ministro de Justicia o a un inspector visitador que sea funcionario del Ministerio de Justicia, nombrado por el citado ministro (artículo 7 de la Ley penitenciaria). Esa petición podrá presentarse no sólo en casos de tortura u otros tratos crueles, inhumanos o degradantes prohibidos en la Convención, sino también en caso de se tenga queja del trato que se reciba, en general, en la prisión, y se dirigirá al Ministro de Justicia, por escrito, o al inspector visitador, por escrito o de palabra. No hay límite para el número de peticiones que puede representar un recluso, y se garantiza la confidencialidad de las peticiones para evitar que los funcionarios de prisiones se enteren de su contenido (párrafo 2 del artículo 4 y artículo 6 del Reglamento de aplicación de la Ley penitenciaria). El Ministro de Justicia leerá las peticiones que reciba y, en principio, la Oficina Penitenciaria abrirá una investigación pormenorizada. Sin embargo, dependiendo del contenido de la petición, la Oficina de Derechos Humanos podrá abrir una investigación que se desarrollará bajo la dirección del Ministro, a fin de examinar el funcionamiento del régimen penitenciario y mejorar su efectividad. Las denuncias se examinan e investigan de manera exhaustiva y a los denunciantes se les notifica el resultado correspondiente. En ese caso, cuando se verifique que un funcionario ha infligido torturas, se le impondrán sanciones disciplinarias y penales. Por otra parte, hay otro procedimiento que permite a los reclusos pedir una cita con el director de la prisión para solicitar reparación o consejo con respecto al trato que reciba de un funcionario de prisiones o con respecto a sus asuntos personales (artículo 9 del Reglamento de aplicación de la Ley penitenciaria). Por lo que respecta al procedimiento de solicitud de reparación, el Consejo de Reforma de la Administración Penitenciaria (compuesto por especialistas que ejercen a título particular), constituido por iniciativa del Ministro de Justicia, celebró unos debates para tratar de la posibilidad de reformar ese procedimiento de manera fundamental y formuló las recomendaciones correspondientes en diciembre de 2003. En la actualidad se están examinando medidas de mejora (véase el párrafo 85).

116.El procedimiento de solicitud de reparación fue utilizado, en 2003, en 466 querellas criminales, 37 acusaciones, 217 demandas y 5.884 peticiones que se presentaron al Ministro de Justicia. Sin embargo, las peticiones incluyeron no sólo quejas de tortura sino también otras quejas por el trato recibido en las que se formularon peticiones, opiniones y comentarios. Véase el anexo XI: Ley penitenciaria, art. 7; Reglamento de aplicación de la Ley penitenciaria, art. 9.)

Centros de inmigración

117.Además, toda persona detenida en un centro de inmigración que afirme haber sido sometida a torturas podrá presentar una solicitud ante un órgano investigador recurriendo al procedimiento de interposición de querellas criminales que acaba de exponerse, pedir que se examine su caso con celeridad e imparcialidad e interponer una demanda civil o administrativa. Asimismo, cuando un detenido tenga quejas del trato que recibe en el centro, el director de éste, cuando no sea un funcionario de control de la inmigración (Nota: sólo los funcionarios de control de la inmigración están autorizados a detener a personas sujetas a la ejecución de órdenes de detención o de deportación escritas - artículo 61-3-2 de la Ley de control de la inmigración y de reconocimiento de la condición de refugiado), escuchará las opiniones del detenido con respecto al trato que reciba, examinará la realidad factual de dicho trato y garantizará que sea digno adoptando medidas como la de ordenar que se haga una inspección del lugar del centro de inmigración donde el solicitante haya recibido el trato del que se queja (artículo 2-2 del Reglamento de trato a los reclusos). La manera de presentar la denuncia será enviando un escrito, que podrá ser anónimo, al director o expresándola de palabra en una cita con éste. La expresión de opiniones o de quejas no será motivo de trato injusto y a los detenidos se les informa ampliamente de ello mediante la colocación de carteles, por ejemplo en los centros de inmigración. Cuando reciba una denuncia, el director del centro de inmigración de que se trate pedirá al detenido y a los funcionarios interesados, cuando lo estime procedente, que expliquen el contenido de la denuncia y adoptará las medidas oportunas. Además, cuando un detenido tenga queja del trato que reciba de un funcionario de control de la inmigración, podrá denunciarlo al director del centro (párrafo 1 del artículo 41-2 del Reglamento de trato a los reclusos) y, cuando el detenido esté en desacuerdo con la resolución que dicte el director con respecto a la presentación de la denuncia, podrá presentar otra al Ministro de Justicia (párrafo 1 del artículo 41-3 del Reglamento).

118.Todos los detenidos podrán mandar cartas, cuyo contenido no se alterará a no ser que resulte inapropiado para la seguridad del establecimiento, y, en algunos centros de inmigración bien equipados, podrán hacer llamadas telefónicas libremente a determinadas horas y hablar con cualquier organización (artículo 37 del Reglamento de trato a los reclusos).

119.El número de denuncias presentadas en 2003 fue de 28 y los motivos de su presentación no fueron exclusivamente quejas de tortura, sino también quejas que no guardaban relación con medidas adoptadas por funcionarios de control de la inmigración y quejas relacionadas con asuntos no previstos en el procedimiento de denuncia. (Véase el anexo XI: Ley de control de la inmigración y de reconocimiento de la condición de refugiado, art. 61-3-2; Reglamento de trato a los reclusos, arts. 2-2, 37, 41-2 y 41.)

Enfermedades infecciosas

120.Los pacientes que estén hospitalizados por padecer una enfermedad infecciosa podrán solicitar al gobernador de la prefectura que les dé el alta del hospital, con arreglo a lo dispuesto en la Ley de prevención de las infecciones y de atención médica a los pacientes infecciosos. Según esa ley, cuando reciba una solicitud de esa índole, el gobernador comprobará que el solicitante no esté infectado por agentes patógenos y, si comprueba efectivamente que no lo está, le dará el alta.

121.Toda persona que haya sido separada de sus funciones, o suspendida en ellas, por razón de una cuarentena podrá solicitar que se la libere de esa situación al director del centro de cuarentena, con arreglo a lo previsto en la Ley de cuarentena. Cuando reciba una solicitud de esa índole, el director del centro de cuarentena deberá comprobar, atendiendo a lo dispuesto en la citada ley, si la persona está infectada por agentes patógenos y, en caso de que compruebe efectivamente que no lo está, la liberará de la separación o la suspensión. (Véase el anexo XI: Ley de prevención de las infecciones y de atención médica a los pacientes infecciosos, art. 22; Ley de cuarentena, art. 15 bis y 16.)

Pacientesdeenfermedadesmentales

122.Según se ha dicho en el párrafo 93, atendiendo lo dispuesto en la Ley de salud mental, las personas ingresadas en un hospital de salud mental o los responsables de su custodia podrán solicitar al gobernador de la prefectura que les dé el alta o que se adopten las medidas oportunas para mejorar su tratamiento y, cuando la Junta de Examen Psiquiátrico, compuesta por psiquiatras y estudiosos designados, considere que la hospitalización no es necesaria o que el tratamiento no es apropiado, el gobernador de la prefectura dará el alta a esas personas o adoptará las medidas oportunas para mejorar su tratamiento. Por lo que atañe a la hospitalización forzosa, se podrá presentar una solicitud de revisión, al amparo de la Ley de apelación contra las decisiones administrativas, o interponer una demanda, al amparo del Código de Procedimiento Administrativo, contra el Ministerio de Salud, Trabajo y Bienestar Social.

123.Conforme a lo expuesto en el párrafo 94, en la Ley de observación médica de las personas mentalmente incapaces se prevén las siguientes medidas para garantizarles un tratamiento adecuado:

a)Las personas hospitalizadas o las responsables de su custodia podrán solicitar al Ministro de Salud, Trabajo y Bienestar Social que dé una orden al administrador del establecimiento médico designado para la hospitalización de que adopte las medidas necesarias para mejorar su tratamiento. Cuando reciba esa solicitud, el Ministro pedirá al Consejo de Seguridad Social que la examine y, teniendo en cuenta el resultado de ese examen, el Ministro, cuando lo estime necesario, ordenará al administrador del establecimiento médico designado para la hospitalización que adopte las medidas necesarias para mejorar el tratamiento de esas personas, y

b)El Ministro de Salud, Trabajo y Bienestar Social podrá, cuando lo estime necesario, solicitar al administrador del establecimiento médico designado para la hospitalización que informe con respecto al tratamiento de las personas hospitalizadas y, cuando estime que el tratamiento no satisface los criterios fijados por él, podrá ordenarle que adopte las medidas necesarias para mejorarlo.

Comportamiento de los funcionarios de las Fuerzas de Autodefensa o del Servicio de Guardacostas

124.Por lo que atañe al comportamiento de los funcionarios de las Fuerzas de Autodefensa o del Servicio de Guardacostas, cuando reciban una denuncia de una persona que alegue que se le han infligido torturas, los agentes de policía o agentes auxiliares de policía de las Fuerzas de Autodefensa o los funcionarios del Servicio de Guardacostas llevarán a cabo una investigación dentro del ámbito de su autoridad respectiva, en calidad de funcionarios de la policía judicial.

Protección de los denunciantes y los testigos

125.A fin de proteger a los denunciantes y los testigos, se han adoptado las medidas que se exponen a continuación:

a)Toda persona que intimide o intente infligir daños de otra índole a un denunciante o testigo será susceptible de sanción, dependiendo del caso, por los delitos de intimidación a un testigo (artículo 105 bis del Código Penal), violencia física (artículo 208 del Código Penal), intimidación (artículo 222 del Código Penal) u otros delitos;

b)La existencia de motivos razonables para sospechar que el imputado pueda inferir un daño a la integridad física o los bienes de la víctima o de cualquier otra persona justificará la denegación de la libertad bajo fianza (apartado 5 del artículo 89 del Código de Procedimiento Penal);

c)Cuando un testigo o sus familiares resulten lesionados o muertos, el Estado sufragará los gastos del tratamiento médico y los demás gastos conexos (artículo 3 de la Ley de prestaciones para sufragar los gastos de daños y perjuicios sufridos por los testigos);

d)Cuando un funcionario público que haya recibido una solicitud trate al solicitante de manera injusta, será susceptible de sanción disciplinaria aun cuando su comportamiento no constituya delito (párrafo 1 del artículo 82 de la Ley de la administración pública nacional y párrafo 1 del artículo 29 de la Ley de la administración pública local);

e)Cuando, al encuestar a un testigo, se considere que éste pueda sentir ansiedad o tensión considerables, el tribunal podrá permitir que una persona considerada capaz de aliviar esa ansiedad o tensión acompañe al testigo durante la encuesta (artículo 157 bis del Código de Procedimiento Penal);

f)A fin de aliviar la presión psicológica que sufra el testigo que haya de testificar delante del imputado y de los presentes en la sala del tribunal, éste podrá ordenar que se instale una mampara que separe al testigo del acusado y del público (artículo 157 del Código de Procedimiento Penal), y

g)A fin de aliviar la presión psicológica que sufra el testigo que haya de testificar en un tribunal abierto al público, podrá encuestarse a dicho testigo por el método de llevarlo a una sala que no sea la del tribunal y utilizar aparatos que permitan a cada una de las personas comunicarse recibiendo las señales de imagen y sonido de las demás (sistema de comunicación por vídeo) (artículo 157 quater del Código de Procedimiento Penal). (Véase el anexo XI: Código Penal, arts. 150 bis, 208 y 222; Código de Procedimiento Penal, arts. 89, 157-2, 157-3 y 157-4; Ley de indemnización por daños y perjuicios a testigos, art. 3; Ley de administración pública local, art. 29.)

N. Artículo 14

126.En el Japón, el artículo 1 de la Ley estatal de reparación prevé la indemnización por los daños y perjuicios infligidos por un funcionario público en el ejercicio de sus funciones. Además, el artículo 709 del Código Civil estipula la indemnización por los daños y perjuicios causados a un particular.

127.En relación con la indemnización por los daños y perjuicios infligidos a la víctima de un acto de tortura, tal como se ha mencionado anteriormente, el Estado o un particular pueden ser declarados responsables por los daños y perjuicios causados en virtud de la Ley estatal de reparación o del Código Civil.

128.Cuando la víctima es un nacional de otro país, las disposiciones relativas al derecho a reclamar daños y perjuicios en virtud de la Ley estatal de reparación sólo se aplican si hay garantía de reciprocidad (artículo 6 de la Ley estatal de reparación). Las disposiciones relativas al derecho a reclamar daños y perjuicios en virtud del Código Civil se aplican por igual a los nacionales del Japón y a los residentes extranjeros.

129.Dicho derecho a reclamar daños y perjuicios se hereda si la víctima muere (artículo 896 del Código Civil).

130.Cuando una persona declarada responsable de daños y perjuicios por decisión de un tribunal no cumple con su obligación al respecto, la víctima podrá ejercer el derecho a reclamar esos daños y perjuicios en virtud de procedimientos judiciales.

131.La indemnización que se paga a una víctima es, en principio, de carácter pecuniario. Dicha indemnización cubre también los gastos de recuperación mediante un tratamiento médico y psicológico exigido para recuperar del daño infligido por un acto de tortura. Según las leyes japonesas, no existe un límite para dicha indemnización.

132.Además, en aras del espíritu de cooperación mutua que anima a la sociedad y con objeto de aliviar los sufrimientos de que son objeto las víctimas, se promulgó en 1980 la Ley de pago de indemnizaciones a las víctimas de delitos. El sistema establecido en esta ley consiste en que el Estado paga una indemnización a la familia de una persona que haya fallecido inesperadamente o que haya resultado gravemente herida durante la comisión de un delito. Tienen derecho a esa indemnización los nacionales del país o los extranjeros con residencia en el Japón en el momento en que se hayan producido esos hechos delictivos que causaron daños y perjuicios. (Véase anexo XII, Legislación japonesa relativa al artículo 14 de la Convención contra la Tortura: Ley estatal de reparación, arts. 1 y 6; Código Civil del Japón, arts. 709, 715 y 896; Ley de indemnización de víctimas de delitos, art. 3.)

O. Artículo 15

133.Se garantiza que ninguna declaración que se considere hecha como resultado de la tortura podrá ser utilizada como prueba en ningún procedimiento, de conformidad con el párrafo 2 del artículo 38 de la Constitución que estipula que "no se admitirá como prueba la confesión obtenida mediante coacción, tortura o amenazas o después de una detención prolongada", y con el Código de Procedimiento Penal, tal como se explica a continuación.

134.En las actuaciones penales, las confesiones efectuadas mediante coacción, tortura o amenazas o después de una detención prolongada, o de las que se sospeche que no han sido hechas voluntariamente, no serán admitidas como prueba (párrafo 1 del artículo 319 del Código de Procedimiento Civil). Los fiscales deben demostrar que la confesión se hizo voluntariamente y los tribunales no admitirán la confesión como prueba a menos que se haya hecho esa demostración. Además, el procesado no será condenado cuando la única prueba en su contra sea su propia confesión (párrafo 2 del artículo 319 del Código de Procedimiento Penal). Dicha confesión incluye la admisión por el procesado de su culpabilidad por el delito cometido (párrafo 3 del artículo 319 del Código de Procedimiento Civil). Aun cuando un documento o una declaración sea admisible como prueba de conformidad con otras disposiciones del Código de Procedimiento Penal, el tribunal no los admitirá como prueba a menos que el tribunal estime, previa investigación, que el documento o la declaración han sido hechos en forma voluntaria (artículo 325 del Código de Procedimiento Civil). Todo documento o declaración que los fiscales o los procesados hayan decidido utilizar como prueba podrá ser admitido únicamente si el tribunal lo considera adecuado tras evaluar las circunstancias en las que el documento o la declaración hayan sido realizados (párrafo 1 del artículo 326 del Código de Procedimiento Penal). Además, se entiende y es práctica común que los fiscales se encarguen de controlar e impedir que los funcionarios de la policía judicial realicen investigaciones que sean inadecuadas.

135.En el Japón, como se ha descrito anteriormente, las confesiones hechas mediante coacción, tortura o amenazas o después de una detención prolongada no se admiten como prueba, pero no existen estadísticas disponibles sobre el número de casos en los que las confesiones no se recibieron como prueba por considerarse que habían sido obtenidas mediante la tortura.

136.En el Código de Procedimiento Civil, no existe una disposición explícita que limite la admisibilidad de una declaración de la que se considere que ha sido obtenida por tortura. No obstante, la opinión que prevalece es que las pruebas obtenidas por medios extremadamente antisociales que violan los derechos constitucionales no deberían admitirse en las actuaciones civiles. Puesto que una declaración obtenida por un funcionario público mediante la tortura es el ejemplo típico de esa prueba, se entiende pues que dicha declaración no sería admitida como prueba. (Véase el anexo XIII, Legislación japonesa relativa al artículo 15 de la Convención contra la Tortura: Constitución del Japón, art. 38 bis; Código de Procedimiento Penal, arts. 319, 325 y 326.)

P. Artículo 16

137.En el marco de la legislación interna del Japón, la tortura no se define como un delito aparte y los delitos mencionados en el párrafo 31 previstos en el artículo 4 de la Convención se relacionan no solamente con los actos de tortura tal como se definen en la Convención, sino también con otras formas de tratos o castigos crueles, inhumanos o degradantes cometidos por funcionarios públicos. En particular, las obligaciones estipuladas en los arts. 10, 11, 12 y 13 de la Convención se cumplen con respecto a los actos considerados como otras formas de tratos o castigos crueles, inhumanos o degradantes cometidos por funcionarios públicos en la misma forma que con respecto a los actos de tortura.

Q. Otros

a) Cooperación con las organizaciones no gubernamentales

138.El Gobierno del Japón reconoce plenamente la importancia de las distintas actividades que realiza la sociedad civil con miras a la aplicación de la Convención y demás convenciones de derechos humanos, mantiene frecuentemente diálogos con ONG cuando es necesario y toma en cuenta sus opiniones para la aplicación de las políticas pertinentes. Su intención es mantener relaciones constructivas con la sociedad civil mediante el intercambio de opiniones con el fin de aplicar eficazmente la Convención.

b) Las llamadas "prisiones de sustitución"

139.En el Japón existen aproximadamente 1.300 celdas de detención en las comisarías de policía. Los detenidos en estas celdas son presuntos culpables detenidos en virtud del Código de Procedimiento Penal y mantenidos en prisión preventiva mediante un auto de detención emitido por un juez en virtud del Código de Procedimiento Penal. En el año 2003, el número de presuntos culpables detenidos en celdas de comisarías fue de aproximadamente 190.000.

140.Un presunto culpable que es detenido, a menos que sea puesto en libertad, es llevado ante un juez en virtud de una orden de custodia dada por un fiscal y el juez determina si el presunto culpable ha de ser o no mantenido en custodia. El lugar de detención de los presuntos culpables se denomina prisión en el Código de Procedimiento Penal (párrafo 1 del artículo 64 del Código) y la Ley penitenciaria dispone que es posible utilizar una celda de comisaría de policía como un sustituto de prisión (párrafo 3 del artículo 1 de la Ley penitenciaria). Este sistema de utilización de una celda de comisaría como sustituto de la prisión se denomina "sistema de sustitución de una prisión". En relación con el lugar de detención, no existe en el Código de Procedimiento Penal ninguna disposición por la que se deba elegir un establecimiento penitenciario o una celda de comisaría de policía, y el juez, a petición de un fiscal, decide esta cuestión caso por caso, en función de las distintas condiciones imperantes (párrafo 1 del artículo 64 del Código de Procedimiento Penal).

141.Aun después de haberse instruido las diligencias penales, el tribunal puede detener al demandado cuando existan motivos razonables para sospechar que éste puede destruir o alterar las pruebas, o fugarse (artículo 60 del Código de Procedimiento Penal). En este caso, el lugar de detención se especifica como prisión al igual que en el caso de los presuntos culpables y es posible utilizar como sustituto de la prisión una celda de comisaría de policía.

142.Este sistema entra en el marco de las sanciones legítimas a que se hace referencia en el párrafo 1 del artículo 1 de la Convención y la detención propiamente dicha en una denominada prisión de sustitución no equivale a la tortura a que se hace referencia en la Convención. Con arreglo a este sistema de prisión de sustitución, los funcionarios encargados de la detención que pertenecen a un departamento que no es el encargado de la investigación supervisan a los detenidos teniendo en cuenta sus derechos humanos así como las leyes y reglamentos pertinentes y no maltratan ni castigan a los detenidos en forma que pueda considerarse inhumanamente cruel provocando dolores mentales o físicos innecesarios. Por consiguiente, cabe entender que el denominado sistema de prisión de sustitución no plantea problemas de trato o castigo cruel, inhumano o degradante, en la forma estipulada en la Convención, mientras se lo aplique en forma adecuada.

143.En lo relativo a las condiciones de vida en las celdas de las comisarías de policía, véanse los párrafos 118 a 133 del cuarto informe del Japón presentado en virtud del párrafo 1 b) del artículo 40 del Pacto Internacional de Derechos Civiles y Políticos. Por lo que se refiere a la separación entre la investigación y la detención, véanse los párrafos 134 a 143 de dicho informe. (Véase el anexo XIV, Legislación japonesa sin relación con artículos específicos de la Convención contra la Tortura: Código de Procedimiento Penal, arts. 64-1 y 203-1; Ley penitenciaria, art. 1-3.)

c) El sistema de comunicación individual previsto en el artículo 22

144.Si bien este sistema se considera notable desde el punto de vista de la aplicación efectiva de la Convención, también se ha señalado que es preciso examinarlo con detenimiento ya que puede plantear problemas en relación con el sistema judicial en el que la independencia del poder judicial esté garantizada por la Constitución. Habida cuenta de la necesidad de que el Comité contra la Tortura siga examinando el funcionamiento de este sistema desde distintos puntos de vista, el Japón no hizo la declaración prevista en el artículo 22 en el momento de adherirse a la Convención. El Japón tiene intención de seguir considerando esta cuestión con seriedad y detenimiento al tiempo que examine el funcionamiento del sistema.

R. Artículo 22

d) El sistema de la pena de muerte

145.La pena de muerte en el Japón es un castigo previsto en el Código Penal. Forma parte de las sanciones legítimas a que se hace referencia en el párrafo 1 del artículo 1 de la Convención y no constituye tortura en el sentido estipulado en la Convención. Además, la muerte por ahorcamiento, actualmente practicada en el Japón, no se considera cruel o inhumana en comparación con otros métodos y no constituye un castigo cruel, inhumano o degradante. La pena de muerte se administra estrictamente como se explica a continuación.

146.Los delitos a los que se aplica la pena de muerte como pena legal se limitan a 18 delitos graves, tales como el asesinato, el robo con violencia causante de muerte y el estupro y robo con violencia causante de muerte. Para 17 de estos delitos, salvo la instigación a la agresión por un país extranjero, se ha previsto como castigo optativo el encarcelamiento con o sin trabajos forzados. Respecto de los 18 delitos, se han previsto también circunstancias atenuantes tales como la disminución de la capacidad y la extenuación. La pena de muerte se aplica en los distintos casos en forma prudente y estrictamente basada en las normas establecidas mediante un dictamen del Tribunal Supremo que dice lo siguiente: "En virtud del sistema jurídico actual que acepta la pena de muerte, ésta podrá aplicarse cuando la responsabilidad penal sea extremadamente importante y la pena capital se considere inevitable desde el punto de vista del equilibrio entre un delito y su castigo y desde el punto de vista de la prevención general de los delitos cuando se consideren distintas circunstancias tales como la naturaleza y el motivo del delito, el método aplicable, en particular la pertinacia y brutalidad del método del asesinato, la gravedad de su resultado, en particular el número de víctimas asesinadas, el sufrimiento de la familia afectada, las consecuencias sociales, la edad del inculpado, sus antecedentes penales y las circunstancias posteriores al delito". Por consiguiente, en el Japón de hoy, la pena capital se aplica únicamente a los que han cometido crímenes atroces que comprometen en gran medida la responsabilidad de los procesados.

147.El culpable de un delito que entrañe la pena de muerte tiene derecho a apelar y puede presentar un recurso de apelación a los tribunales superiores o al Tribunal Supremo según el caso. Aun cuando se haya agotado el recurso de apelación, la persona sentenciada podrá solicitar la reapertura del proceso.

148.Si la persona tenía menos de 18 años de edad en el momento de la comisión del delito, la pena de muerte no podrá aplicarse. En el caso de esa persona, aun cuando la pena de muerte sea aplicable de otro modo, se impondrá la cadena perpetua (párrafo 1 del artículo 51 de la Ley de menores). Si una mujer condenada a muerte está embarazada, la ejecución será suspendida por orden del Ministro de Justicia (párrafos 2 y 3 del artículo 479 del Código de Procedimiento Penal).

149.En 2003, la pena de muerte de dos personas que habían cometido asesinatos y otros delitos se hizo ejecutoria y un preso del corredor de la muerte fue ejecutado (referencia: delitos cometidos por las dos personas cuya pena de muerte se hizo ejecutoria en 2003):

a)Asesinato tras robo con violencia, y estafa;

b)Asesinato, intento de asesinato, allanamiento de morada, violación de la Ley de control de armas de fuego y espadas, violencia, daños corporales y destrucción de la propiedad. (Véase el anexo XIV: Ley de menores, art. 51; Código de Procedimiento Penal, art. 479.)

e) Utilización de instrumentos de inmovilización y celdas de detención

Instituciones correccionales

150.Cuando exista riesgo de fuga, comportamiento violento o suicidio, o cuando un recluso no atienda las órdenes de los funcionarios para que deje de gritar o de hacer ruido innecesariamente, o cuando exista riesgo de que el recluso pueda reincidir en comportamientos anómalos, por ejemplo ensuciar la celda, ese recluso podrá ser encerrado en una celda de protección (celda individual con una estructura o equipo apropiados para calmar y proteger a los reclusos) si se considera que no es conveniente que esté en una celda ordinaria. Cuando exista riesgo de fuga, comportamiento violento o suicidio podrán utilizarse instrumentos de inmovilización (esposas). Las celdas de protección están concebidas para ese propósito concreto y para evitar que se produzcan ruidos y destrucción, para lo que se elimina de ellas el mobiliario, el equipo y cualquier elemento que pueda ser utilizado para cometer suicidio, y las paredes y el suelo se recubren con materiales blandos. La reclusión en régimen de aislamiento en una celda de protección se realiza cuando es necesario de conformidad con las leyes y reglamentos.

151.La utilización de celdas de protección e instrumentos de inmovilización se ajusta a lo dispuesto en las leyes y reglamentos pertinentes y únicamente se recurre a esos métodos cuando existe riesgo de fuga, comportamiento violento o suicidio y cuando su utilización es necesaria para impedir tales actos. Por lo tanto, esos métodos, en la medida en que sean apropiados, no pueden entenderse como actos de tortura de conformidad con lo enunciado en el párrafo 1 del artículo 1 de la Convención, ya que no existen propósitos o razones que puedan considerarse constitutivos de tortura. Además, esas medidas no causan un sufrimiento innecesario al recluso, como se explica más adelante, ya que se tiene en cuenta la obligación de no atentar contra su dignidad e integridad, razón por la que el uso de esos métodos no es equiparable a los tratos crueles, inhumanos o degradantes prohibidos por la Convención. En particular, la utilización de dispositivos de inmovilización o celdas de protección que ha de ser conforme a las leyes y reglamentos pertinentes y basarse en instrucciones oficiales no debe exceder, según la situación de que se trate, los límites razonables necesarios para lograr su propósito. En el caso de un recluso en quien se haya utilizado un dispositivo de inmovilización o al que se haya colocado en una celda de protección, se exhorta a los responsables a levantar esas restricciones lo más pronto posible y a llamar, cuando sea necesario, a un médico para que verifique su condición mental y física.

152.Las esposas de cuero, un dispositivo de inmovilización utilizado desde hace poco (esposas hechas de una banda de cuero con grillos cilíndricos de cuero para inmovilizar ambas muñecas) ya no se utilizan desde el 1º de octubre de 2003 debido al caso antes mencionado en el que funcionarios de la prisión de Nagoya fueron juzgados por causar la muerte o heridas por violencia o crueldad, ya que las esposas de cuero habían aplastado fuertemente el abdomen del recluso. Como alternativa, se ha adoptado un nuevo tipo de esposas que inmovilizan únicamente las muñecas sin apretar el abdomen. Este nuevo tipo de esposas se considera más seguro que las esposas de cuero convencionales porque sólo inmovilizan las muñecas y no otras partes del cuerpo. Además, para garantizar una utilización apropiada y segura, se han establecido claramente las directrices siguientes que los funcionarios de prisiones conocen perfectamente por haber sido capacitados a tal fin. El nuevo tipo de esposas puede utilizarse en un recluso que se encuentre en una celda de protección únicamente cuando su encierro en esa celda no sea suficiente para evitar la violencia o el suicidio; además, esas esposas no pueden ser utilizadas de tal manera que produzcan daños en el cuerpo del recluso. (Véase el anexo XIV: Ley penitenciaria, arts. 15 y 19; Reglamento de aplicación de la Ley penitenciaria, arts. 47 a 49.)

Centros de inmigración

153.Está permitido el uso de dispositivos de inmovilización aunque lo menos posible, de conformidad con el Reglamento aplicable al trato de los detenidos, basado en la Ley de control de la inmigración y de reconocimiento de la condición de refugiado, pero únicamente si hay riesgo de que los reclusos se fuguen, cometan violencias o se suiciden, y si se considera que no hay otra posibilidad de impedir dichos actos. Además, se considera que la incomunicación de un recluso realizada de conformidad con el Reglamento es necesaria para proteger la vida y la integridad física de los demás reclusos y para mantener el orden en el establecimiento; en esos casos se permite poner a los reclusos en celdas de protección. Por consiguiente, tanto los dispositivos de inmovilización como las celdas de protección, mientras se utilicen en forma apropiada, no constituyen tortura en el sentido del párrafo 1 del artículo 1 de la Convención porque no existen razones para considerarlos como tortura. Además, estos dispositivos y celdas no causan dolores innecesarios mientras se los utilice apropiadamente de conformidad con el Reglamento; en marzo de 2003, la Oficina de Inmigración revisó las directrices aplicables a los dispositivos de inmovilización y a la incomunicación con el fin de fomentar su utilización adecuada, habida cuenta de la necesidad de evitar que la dignidad y la integridad de los reclusos se vean afectadas. Por consiguiente, dichos medios no equivalen al trato cruel, inhumano o degradante en el sentido estipulado en la Convención. La incomunicación de un recluso se decide sobre la base de una decisión del director conforme al artículo 18 del Reglamento y el período de incomunicación lo fija el director según los casos. En cuanto resulta innecesaria la incomunicación del recluso, se pone fin a esa situación. La estructura interior de una celda de protección ha sido diseñada a efectos de eliminar en lo posible las partes salientes y cubrir con materiales suaves las paredes y el piso de manera que se proteja la vida y la integridad física del recluso. (Véase el anexo XIV: Reglamento para el tratamiento de los reclusos, art. 18.)

154.El uso de dispositivos de inmovilización y celdas de protección está permitido cuando el director lo ordena conforme a las leyes y reglamentos en vigor. Cuando no haya tiempo de esperar la orden del director para utilizar un dispositivo de inmovilización o una celda de protección, se deberá informar al director inmediatamente después de tales actos, garantizando así una toma de decisiones prudente y adecuada sobre el uso de dispositivos de inmovilización y celdas de protección. Las esposas de cuero, un tipo de dispositivo de inmovilización antiguamente utilizado en los centros de inmigración y cuya utilización se ha suspendido desde el 10 de marzo de 2003, se han dejado de utilizar totalmente el 28 de enero de 2003 debido a la introducción de un nuevo tipo de esposas que ya no presionan otras partes del cuerpo que no sean las muñecas. (Véase el anexo XIV: Reglamento para el tratamiento de los reclusos, arts. 19 a 20.)

f) Incomunicación

Instituciones correccionales

155.A los reclusos que se encuentren en instituciones correccionales, cuando sea necesaria su incomunicación de conformidad con leyes y reglamentos pertinentes, se les pondrá en régimen de aislamiento durante un período de seis meses, en principio, período que podrá prolongarse cada tres meses en caso extraordinariamente necesario. La decisión final sobre si es necesaria la incomunicación y si se ha de prorrogar ese período la tomará el director de la institución correccional después de que el comité de examen establecido por la institución haya examinado detenidamente la necesidad de esta medida tras tomar debidamente en cuenta la condición mental y física del recluso. Por supuesto es posible que la incomunicación ejerza una influencia negativa en la salud física y mental de los reclusos. Para promover la rehabilitación de los reclusos, es importante facilitar su socialización permitiéndoles vivir en grupo con otras personas. Es pues el deseo de los dirigentes de las prisiones que los reclusos puedan en lo posible salir y trabajar en fábricas. Desde ese punto de vista, cada vez que es posible, se intenta transferir a los reclusos desde su lugar de aislamiento a celdas de grupos de reclusos mediante métodos que consisten en que los funcionarios de las prisiones proporcionan una orientación a los reclusos incomunicados y los altos funcionarios mantienen entrevistas con ellos. Sin embargo, se dan todavía unos cuantos casos en los que el confinamiento del recluso por un largo período es inevitable. (Véase el anexo I, páginas ... : Ley penitenciaria, art. 15; Reglamento de aplicación de la Ley penitenciaria, arts. 47 y 27.)

Centros de inmigración

156.El propósito de la detención en un centro de inmigración es facilitar los procedimientos de deportación de conformidad con la Ley de control de la inmigración y reconocimiento de los refugiados, y prohibir la residencia y las actividades en el Japón. La Ley de control de la inmigración y reconocimiento de los refugiados establece que es preciso conceder la mayor libertad posible a los detenidos, a menos que ello represente un problema para la seguridad de las instalaciones. En principio, los reclusos ocupan celdas de dos o tres personas. No obstante, algunos de ellos que desean estar solos por diversas razones, tales como las diferencias de nacionalidad y cultura y una incapacidad a adaptarse a la vida en grupo, pueden ocupar solos una celda, de conformidad con sus deseos. Incluso en esos casos, no existen restricciones a la comunicación entre detenidos y cuando uno de ellos solicita unirse a un grupo, también se accede a ese deseo.

g) Castigos disciplinarios

Instituciones correccionales

157.En las instituciones penales, es necesario mantener cierta disciplina y orden de manera que se pueda controlar a todo un grupo de reclusos e impedir su fuga y mantenerlos en custodia; de esta manera se logra el objetivo de la detención según la situación jurídica de cada detenido. Con este fin se ha establecido el "Reglamento para reclusos", en el que se figuran los actos prohibidos en las instalaciones y este Reglamento, de fácil comprensión, se da a conocer a los reclusos por adelantado. Mediante el castigo de las personas que violan estas reglas se previene la repetición de esos actos prohibidos y se mantiene la disciplina y el orden en las instalaciones. Entre estos castigos figuran las reprimendas, la prohibición de leer documentos y de mirar películas por un período de hasta tres meses, la reducción de parte o de toda la remuneración por concepto de trabajo en la prisión, y el mantenimiento en régimen de aislamiento durante un período de hasta dos meses. Una reclusión menor en régimen de aislamiento consiste en mantener al recluso en una celda solitaria que tiene la misma estructura que una celda ordinaria pero sin comunicación alguna con los demás reclusos y sentado en la celda de manera que tenga una oportunidad de reflexionar haciendo penitencia. Se trata de la forma más severa de castigo actualmente practicada. Cuando se realiza este tipo de confinamiento, es necesario practicar un examen médico de antemano para garantizar que no se produzcan daños en la salud del recluso. Durante el aislamiento se realizan también exámenes médicos y el aislamiento se suspende si hay indicios de que se pueda causar un daño a la salud del recluso. Los procedimientos de castigo son conformes a las directivas oficiales del Ministro de Justicia. En primer lugar, se informa a la persona que supuestamente ha violado las reglas de las sospechas acerca de esa violación y se le interroga sobre los hechos y antecedentes. Seguidamente se reúne otro tipo de información como informes de los funcionarios que asistieron a la violación y entrevistas con otros reclusos que vieron o escucharon lo acontecido. Tras lo cual, un comité de examen de castigos integrado por altos funcionarios de la institución penal se reúne y convoca al sospechoso de la violación para comunicarle las sospechas en su contra. Después de darle la oportunidad de defenderse, un alto funcionario que supuestamente apoya al sospechoso da su opinión en nombre de este último. El comité se hace una opinión de lo acontecido indagando si el acto constituye una violación de las reglas, cuál es la causa, cuál es su contenido y cuáles son las circunstancias, así como el comportamiento del sospechoso y las condiciones de seguridad de la celda en cuestión. El director de la institución penal, sobre la base de la opinión del comité y habida cuenta de todos los distintos factores, decide si se ha de castigar al recluso y cuál va a ser el tipo de castigo infligido. De esta manera, la decisión acerca del castigo responde al requisito de garantizar la imparcialidad.

Apéndice

LEYES INTERNAS PERTINENTES

-Ley de extradición;

-Ley de asistencia internacional en las investigaciones;

-Ley de asistencia judicial a los tribunales extranjeros.

Anexos del informe inicial del Japón

Annex IJapanese Legislation is respect of Part I of the report

Annex IIJapanese Legislation in relation to Article 3 of the Convention against Torture

Annex IIIJapanese Legislation in relation to Article 4 of the Convention against Torture

Annex IVJapanese Legislation in relation to Article 5 of the Convention against Torture

Annex VJapanese Legislation in relation to Article 6 of the Convention against Torture

Annex VIJapanese Legislation in relation to Article 7 of the Convention against Torture

Annex VIIJapanese Legislation in relation to Article 8 of the Convention against Torture

Annex VIIIJapanese Legislation in relation to Article 10 of the Convention against Torture

Annex IXJapanese Legislation in relation to Article 11 of the Convention against Torture

Annex XJapanese Legislation in relation to Article 12 of the Convention against Torture

Annex XIJapanese Legislation in relation to Article 13 of the Convention against Torture

Annex XIIJapanese Legislation in relation to Article 14 of the Convention against Torture

Annex XIIIJapanese Legislation in relation to Article 15 of the Convention against Torture

Annex XIVJapanese Legislation not relation to any specific article of the Convention against Torture

Annex I

JAPANESE LEGISLATION IN RESPECT OF PART I

General Information

The Constitution of Japan

Article 13

All of the people shall be respected as individuals. Their right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness shall, to the extent that it does not interfere with the public welfare, be the supreme consideration in legislation and in other governmental affairs.

Article 36

The infliction of torture by any public officer and cruel punishments are absolutely forbidden.

Article 38

1.No person shall be compelled to testify against himself.

2.Confession made under compulsion, torture or threat, or after prolonged arrest or detention shall not be admitted in evidence.

3.No person shall be convicted or punished in cases where the only proof against him is his own confession.

The Penal Code

Article 193

When a public official abuses the official’s authority and causes another to perform an act which the person has no obligation to, or hinders another from exercising the person’s right, imprisonment with appointed work or imprisonment without appointed work for not more than 2 years shall be imposed.

Article 194

When a person performing or assisting in judicial, prosecution or police functions, abuses the person’s authority and detains or confines another, imprisonment with appointed work or imprisonment without appointed work for not less than 6 months but not more than 10 years shall be imposed.

Article 195

1.When a person performing or assisting in judicial, prosecution or police functions commits, in the performance of the person’s duties, an act of physical violence or physical or mental cruelty upon the accused, suspect etc., imprisonment with appointed work or imprisonment without appointed work for not more than 7 years shall be imposed.

2.The same shall apply when a person who is guarding or escorting another person detained or confined in accordance with laws commits an act of physical violence or physical or mental cruelty upon the person.

Article 196

A person who commits a crime prescribed for in the preceding two Articles and thereby causes death or bodily injury of another shall be dealt with by the punishment prescribed for the crimes of bodily injury or the Articles whichever is the graver.

The Code of Criminal Procedure

Article 262

1.If, in a case with respect to which complaint or accusation is made concerning the offences mentioned in Articles 193 to 196 of the Penal Code Article 45 of the Subversive Activities Prevention Act (Law No. 240 of 1952) or Articles 42 to 43 of the Act Regarding the Control of Organizations Which Committed Indiscriminate Mass Murder (Law No. 147 of 1999), the complainant or accuser is dissatisfied with the disposition made by a public prosecutor not to prosecute, he may apply to a District Court having jurisdiction over the place of the public prosecutors office to which that public prosecutor belongs for committing the case to a court for trial.

2.The application mentioned in the preceding paragraph shall be made by submitting a written application to a public prosecutor from the day on which the notice mentioned in Article 260 was received.

Article 263

1.The application mentioned in Paragraph 1 of the preceding Article may be withdrawn before ruling of Article 262 is rendered.

2.The person who made the withdrawal as provided in the preceding paragraph shall not make anew the application mentioned in Paragraph 1 of the preceding Article in respect to the same case.

Article 264

A public prosecutor shall institute prosecution if he considers the application mentioned in Paragraph 1 of Article 262 well‑founded.

Article 265

1.Trial and decision on the application mentioned in Paragraph 1 of Article 262 shall be conducted and delivered by a collegiate court.

2.The court may, if it deems necessary, cause a member of a collegiate court to investigate the fact, or requisition a judge of a District or Summary Court to do so. In this case a commissioned judge or a requisitioned judge shall have the same authority as the court or a presiding judge has.

Article 266

On receipt of the application mentioned in Paragraph 1 of Article 262, a court shall render a ruling according to the following classification:

(a)In the event of the application having been made contrary to the form fixed by law or ordinance or after the rights of application has extinguished or of its being without grounds, it shall be dismissed;

(b)If the application is well‑founded, the case shall be committed to a competent District Court for trial.

Article 267

When the ruling mentioned in Item (2) of the preceding Article has been rendered, prosecution shall be deemed to have been instituted on the case.

Article 268

1.When a case has been committed to it for trial in accordance with provision of Article 266, Item (2) the court shall designate from among practicing attorneys one who shall sustain the prosecution on such case.

2.The practicing attorney designated as mentioned in the preceding paragraph shall exercise the functions of a public prosecutor in order to sustain the prosecution until the decision has become final. However, the practicing attorney mentioned in the preceding paragraph shall commission a public prosecutor to direct public prosecutor’s assistant officer or judicial police official for criminal investigation.

3.The practicing attorney who exercises the functions of a public prosecutor in accordance with the preceding paragraph shall be deemed to be an official engaged in the public service in accordance with laws or ordinances.

4.A court may cancel the designation of the practicing attorney designated in accordance with the first paragraph at any time if it finds that he is not qualified to exercise his functions or there are any other special circumstances.

5.The practicing attorney designated in accordance with the first paragraph shall be given allowances as fixed by Cabinet Order.

Article 269

When a court dismisses the application mentioned in Paragraph 1 of Article 262 or when the application is withdrawn, the court may, by means of a ruling, order the person who made the application to compensate for the whole or a part of the costs arising form the procedure relating to the application. An immediate Kokoku appeal may be filed against the ruling.

International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights

Article 7

No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. In particular, no one shall be subjected without his free consent to medical or scientific experimentation.

(Reference for Part I, paragraphs 1‑5)

Annex II

JAPANESE LEGISLATION IN RELATION TO ARTICLE 3 OF THE CONVENTION AGAINST TORTURE

Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act

Article 53

1.Any person subject to deportation shall be deported to a country of which he is a national or citizen.

2.If a person cannot be deported to such a country as provided for in the preceding paragraph, such a person shall be deported to one of the following countries in accordance with his wishes:

(a)A country in which he had been residing immediately prior to his entry into Japan;

(b)A country in which he once resided before his entry into Japan;

(c)A country to which the port, where he boarded the vessel or aircraft departing for Japan, belongs;

(d)A country where his place of birth is located;

(e)A country to which his birthplace belonged at the time of his birth; and

(f)Any country other than those given in the preceding items.

(Reference to paragraphs 6‑24)

Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act

Article 47

1.An Immigration Inspector shall release a suspect without delay when he has found, as a result of examination, that the suspect does not come under any one of the items of Article 24.

2.If an Immigration Inspector finds, as a result of examination, that the suspect comes under any one of the items of Article 24, such an Immigration Inspector shall immediately notify a Supervising Immigration Inspector and the person concerned of his findings in writing together with the statement of grounds for such findings.

3.If an Immigration Inspector submits a notification in accordance with the preceding paragraph, he shall notify the suspect that he may request a hearing pursuant to the provisions of Article 48.

4.In the case of Paragraph 2, if the suspect agrees with the findings, the Supervising Immigration Inspector shall, after having the alien sign a document with a statement that he will not request a hearing, issue without delay a written deportation order pursuant to the provisions of Article 51.

Article 48

1.A suspect who has received a notification provided for in Paragraph 2 of the preceding Article may, if he has any objections to the findings provided for in the same paragraph, orally request a Special Inquiry Officer for a hearing within 3 days from the date of notification.

2.An Immigration Inspector shall, when a request has been made for a hearing under the preceding paragraph, submit a record provided for in Article 45 Paragraph 2 and other pertinent documents to a Special Inquiry Officer.

3.A Special Inquiry Officer shall, when a request is made for the hearing in accordance with Paragraph 1, notify the suspect of the time and place of hearing and conduct the hearing without delay.

4.A Special Inquiry Officer shall, when a hearing is held in accordance with the preceding paragraph, prepare a record of the hearing.

5.The provisions of Article 10, Paragraphs 3 to 6 shall apply mutatis mutandis to the proceedings of a hearing under Paragraph 3.

6.If a Special Inquiry Officer finds, as a result of the hearing, that the findings mentioned in Paragraph 2 of the preceding Article are not supported by factual evidence, he shall immediately release the person concerned.

7.When a Special Inquiry Officer finds, as a result of a hearing, that there is no error in the findings mentioned in Paragraph 2 of the preceding Article , he shall immediately notify the Supervising Immigration Inspector and the suspect to that effect, and at that time notify the suspect that he may file an objection pursuant to the provisions of Article 49.

8.If the suspect, upon receipt of the notification mentioned in the preceding paragraph, agrees to the findings mentioned in the paragraph, the Supervising Immigration Inspector shall have him sign a document with a statement that he will not file an objection and immediately issue a written deportation order provided for in Article 51.

Article 49

1.A suspect who has been notified in accordance with Paragraph 7 of the preceding article, may, in case he does not accept the findings under the same paragraph, file an objection with the Minister of Justice by submitting to a Supervising Immigration Inspector, within 3 days from the date of receipt of the notification, a written statement containing the grounds for his complaint in accordance with the procedures provided for by the Ministry of Justice Ordinance.

2.When the objection provided for in the preceding paragraph has been filed, a Supervising Immigration Inspector shall submit to the Minister of Justice a record of the examination mentioned in Article 45, Paragraph 2, and a record of the hearing mentioned in Paragraph 4 of the preceding Article and other pertinent documents.

3.When the Minister of Justice has received the objection filed under Paragraph 1, he shall decide whether the objection is well‑grounded and notify a Supervising Immigration Inspector of his decision.

4.The Supervising Immigration Inspector shall, upon receipt of the notification from the Minister of Justice of his decision that the objection is well‑grounded, immediately release the suspect.

5.The Supervising Immigration Inspector shall, upon receipt of the notification from the Minister of Justice of his decision that the objection is well‑grounded, immediately release the suspect.

Article 50

1.The Minister of Justice may, even if he finds that the objection filed is groundless in making a decision under Paragraph 3 of the preceding Article , grant the suspect special permission to stay in Japan if:

(a)He has obtained permission for permanent residence;

(b)He has had in the past a permanent domicile in Japan as a Japanese national; or

2.The Minister of Justice finds grounds for granting special permission to stay, other than the previous two subparagraphs.

3.In the case of the preceding paragraph, the Minister of Justice may impose conditions which he may deem necessary, such as period of stay etc., in accordance with the Ministry of Justice Ordinance.

4.The permission in accordance with Paragraph 1 shall be regarded as the decision that the objection filed is well‑grounded with respect to the application of Paragraph 4 of the preceding Article.

Article 52

1.A written deportation order shall be executed by an Immigration Control Officer.

3.A Police Official or Maritime Safety Official may, at the request of a Supervising Immigration Inspector who finds it necessary due to shortage of Immigration Control Officers, execute a written deportation order.

4.In executing a deportation order, an Immigration Control Officer (including a Police Official or Maritime Safety Official who executes a written deportation order pursuant to the provision of the preceding paragraph; the same shall apply in this Article ) shall produce the deportation order or its copy to a deportee and have him be deported without delay to the destination as provided for in Article 53. However, an Immigration Control Officer shall hand him over to a carrier if the deportee is to be sent back by such a carrier in accordance with Article 59.

5.In the case of the preceding paragraph, if a person against whom a deportation order has been issued desires to leave Japan voluntarily at his own expense, a Director of an Immigration Center or a Supervising Immigration Inspector may permit him to do so upon application by the said person.

6.If, in the case of the main sentence in Paragraph 3, a deportee cannot be deported immediately, an Immigration Control Officer may detain him in an Immigration Center, detention house, or other places designated by the Minister of Justice or by a Supervising Immigration Inspector commissioned by the Minister of Justice until such time as deportation becomes possible.

7.In the case of the preceding paragraph, a Director of an Immigration Center or a Supervising Immigration Inspector may, if it is found that a deportee cannot be deported, release him under conditions deemed necessary such as restrictions on place of residence and area of movement and duty of appearing at a summons.

(Reference to paragraphs 25‑29)

Law of Extradition

Article 3

1.When a request for the surrender of a fugitive is made, the Minister of Foreign Affairs shall, except in any of the following circumstances, forward to the Minister of Justice the written request or a certificate which he has prepared stating that the request for extradition has been made, together with the related documents:

(a)When, in the case of a request which has been made pursuant to a treaty of extradition, it is deemed that the form of the request is not consistent with the requirements of the treaty of extradition;

(b)When, in the case of a request which has not been made pursuant to a treaty of extradition, the requesting country has not assured that it would honor a request of the same kind made by Japan.

Article 4

1.Upon receiving the documents concerning a request for extradition from the Minister of Foreign Affairs as provided for in Article 3, the Minister of Justice shall, except in any of the following circumstances, forward the related documents to the Superintending Prosecutor of the Tokyo High Public Prosecutors Office and order him to apply to the Tokyo High Court for examination as to whether the case is one in which the fugitive can be surrendered:

(The middle omitted)

2.In addition to cases falling under Item (2) above, when a case falls under a provision of a treaty of extradition which leaves the determination as to whether the fugitive shall be surrendered to the discretion of Japan and it is deemed to be inappropriate to surrender the fugitive.

3.In the case of a request for surrender which is not made pursuant to a treaty of extradition, when it is deemed to be inappropriate to surrender the fugitive.

Article 14

When the Minister of Justice deems it to be appropriate to surrender the fugitive, in the case of a decision rendered as provided for in Article 10, Paragraph 1, Sub‑paragraph (3) (Note: Decision of the Tokyo High Court that the case falls under the category where a fugitive can be surrendered), he shall order the Superintending Prosecutor of the Tokyo High Public Prosecutors Office to surrender the fugitive, and at the same time notify the fugitive to that effect; however, when he deems it to be inappropriate to surrender the fugitive, he shall immediately notify the Superintending Prosecutor of the Tokyo High Public Prosecutors Office and the fugitive to that effect, and at the same time order the Superintending Prosecutor of the Tokyo High Public Prosecutors Office to release the fugitive who is detained under a permit of detention.

(The rest omitted)

(Reference to paragraph 33)

Annex III

JAPANESE LEGISLATION IN RELATION TO ARTICLE 4 OF THE CONVENTION AGAINST TORTURE

The Penal Code

(Abuse of Authority by a Special Public Official)

Article 194

When a person performing or assisting in judicial, prosecution or police functions, abuses the person’s authority and detains or confines another, imprisonment with appointed work or imprisonment without appointed work for not less than 6 months but not more than 10 years shall be imposed.

(Violence and Cruelty by a Special Public Official)

Article 195

1.When a person performing or assisting in judicial, prosecution or police functions commits, in the performance of the person’s duties, an act of physical violence or physical or mental cruelty upon the accused, suspect etc., imprisonment with appointed work or imprisonment without appointed work for not more than 7 years shall be imposed.

2.The same shall apply when a person who is guarding or escorting another person detained or confined in accordance with laws commits an act of physical violence or physical or mental cruelty upon the person.

(Causing Death or Injury Thereby)

Article 196

A person who commits a crime prescribed for in the preceding two Articles and thereby causes death or bodily injury of another shall be dealt with by the punishment prescribed for the crimes of bodily injury or the Articles whichever is the graver.

(Complicity)

Article 60

Two or more persons who commit a crime in connected action are all principals.

Article 61

1.A person who induces another to commit a crime shall be dealt with in sentencing as a principal.

2.The same shall apply to a person who induces another to induce.

Article 62

1.A person who aids a principal is an accessory.

2.A person who induces an accessory shall be dealt with in sentencing as an accessory.

Article 63

The punishment of an accessory shall be reduced from the punishment of the principal.

Article 65

1.When a person collaborates in a criminal act in which the status of the criminal establishes the criminal’s punishability, the person is an accomplice even without such status.

2.When the gravity of a punishment varies depending upon whether a criminal has a certain status or not, a normal punishment shall be imposed on a person without such status.

(Reference to paragraph 37 of the report)

Annex IV

JAPANESE LEGISLATION ON ARTICLE 5 OF THE CONVENTION AGAINST TORTURE

The Penal Code

Article 1

1.This Code shall apply to anyone who commits a crime within the territory of Japan.

2.It shall also apply to anyone who commits a crime on board a Japanese vessel or air craft outside the territory of Japan.

Article 2

This Code shall apply to anyone who commits one of the following crimes outside the territory of Japan.

(The rest omitted)

Article 3

1.This Code shall apply to the nationality of Japan who commits one of the following crimes outside the territory of Japan:

(The middle omitted)

2.The crimes provided for in Articles 176 through 179 (Forcible Obscenity; Rape; Quasi Forcible Obscenity and Quasi Rape; Attempts),

3.181 (Causing Death or Injury Resulting by Rape, etc), and 184 (Bigamy);

4.The crime provided for in Articles 199 (Homicide) and attempt thereof;

5.The crimes provided for in Articles 204 (Bodily Injury) and 205 (Causing Death by Bodily Injury);

(The middle omitted)

6.The crime provided for in Article 218 (Abandonment by Person Responsible for Protection; etc.) and the crime of causing death or injury through the commission of the above‑mentioned crime;

7.The crimes provided for in Articles 220 (Detention; Confinement) and 221 (Causing Death or Bodily Injury by Unlawful Detention or Confinement);

(The rest omitted)

Article 3bis

1.This code shall apply to anyone without the nationality of Japan who commits an act of the following crimes against a person with the nationality of Japan outside the territory of Japan.

2.The crimes provided for in Articles 176 through 179 (Forcible Obscenity; Rape; Quasi Forcible Obscenity and Quasi Rape; Attempts), 181 (Causing Death or Injury Resulting by Rape, etc.) and 184 (Bigamy);

3.The crime provided for in Articles 199 (Homicide) and attempt thereof;

4.The crimes provided for in Articles 204 (Bodily Injury) and 205 (Causing Death by Bodily Injury);

5.The crimes provided for in Articles 220 (Detention; Confinement) and 221 (Causing Death or Bodily Injury by Unlawful Detention or Confinement);

6.The crimes provided for in Articles 224 through 228 (Kidnapping; Kidnapping for Profit, etc.; Kidnapping for Ransom, etc.; Kidnapping for Transportation to Foreign Country, etc.  Receiving Kidnapped Person, etc.; Attempts);

7.The crimes provided for in Articles 236 (Robbery), 238 through 241 (Robbery by Thief; Robbery by Causing Unconsciousness; Death or Injury caused by Robber; Rape on the Scene of Robbery; Causing Death thereby), and 243 (Attempts).

Article 4

1.This Code shall apply to a public official of Japan who commits one of the following crimes outside the territory of Japan:

(The middle omitted)

2.The crimes provided for in Articles 193 (Abuse of Authority by Public Official), Paragraph 2 of Article 195 (Violence and Cruelty by a Special Public Official) and Articles 197 through 197‑4 (Acceptance of Bribe; Acceptance with Request; Acceptance in Advance of Assumption of Office; Bribe to Third Person; Aggravated Acceptance; Acceptance after Resignation of Office; Acceptance for Exertion of Influence), and the crime of causing death or injury through the commission of the crime provided for in Paragraph 2 of Article 195.

Article 4bis

Besides Article 2 through the preceding Article this Code shall also apply to anyone who commits outside the territory of Japan those crimes provided for in Book II which are made punishable by treaty even if committed outside the territory of Japan.

Law concerning Punishment of Physical Violence and Others

Article 1bis

1.A person who inflicts bodily injury on another person by using a firearm or sword shall be punished with imprisonment with appointed work for not less than one year nor more than 10 years.

2.Attempts of the offences provided for in the preceding paragraph shall be punished.

3.The offences provided for in the preceding two paragraphs are subject to the examples in Articles 3, 3 bis and 4 bis of the Penal Code.

Law for Punishing Compulsion and Other Related Acts Committed by Those Having Taken Hostages

Article 1

1.A person who seizes, confines, or takes hostage of another person and demands a third party to perform an act which the party has no obligation to perform or obstructs the party from exercising a right which the party is entitled to shall be punished with imprisonment with labor for not less than six months nor more than 10 years.

2.The same shall apply to a person who seizes, confines, or takes hostage of another person for the purpose of requesting a third party to perform an act which the party has no obligation to perform or obstructs the party from exercising a right which the party is entitled to exercise.

3.The attempt of the offence provided for in the preceding paragraph shall be punished.

Article 3

When a person who committed the offence provided for in Article 1 Paragraph 1 of the Law Concerning Punishment of Unlawful Seizure of an Aircraft (Law No. 68 of 1970) takes hostage of a person or persons in the aircraft and demands a third party to perform an act which the party has no obligation to perform or obstructs the party from exercising a right which the party is entitled to the person shall be punished with imprisonment with labor for life or for no less than 10 years.

Article 5

The offences mentioned in Article 1 shall be subject to the examples in Articles 3, 3 bis, and 4 bis of the Penal Code (Law No. 45 of 1907) and the offences in the preceding three articles shall be subject to the examples in Article 2 of the Penal Code.

(Reference to paragraphs 39‑42)

Annex V

JAPANESE LEGISLATION IN RELATION TO ARTICLE 6 OF THE CONVENTION AGAINST TORTURE

Law of Extradition

Article 5

1.Upon receiving an order from the Minister of Justice as provided for in Paragraph 1 of Article 4 (Note: refer to Paragraph 27), the Superintending Prosecutor of the Tokyo High Public Prosecutors Office shall, except when the fugitive is detained under a permit of provisional detention or except when his detention under a permit of provisional detention is suspended, cause a public prosecutor of the Tokyo High Public Prosecutors Office to detain the fugitive under a permit of detention which shall have been issued in advance by a judge of the Tokyo High Court. Provided that this provision shall not apply when the fugitive has a fixed residence and the Superintending Prosecutor of the Tokyo High Public Prosecutors Office deems that there is no apprehension that the fugitive will escape.

2.A permit of detention provided for in Paragraph 1 above may be issued on request from a public prosecutor of the Tokyo High Public Prosecutor’s Office.

3.The permit of detention shall contain the full name of the fugitive, the name of the offence for which extradition is requested, the name of the requesting country, the effective period of the permit, a statement that after the expiration of the effective period no detention may be commenced and the permit must be returned, and the date of issue of the permit, and shall bear the name and seal of the issuing judge.

Article 23

1.When the Minister of Foreign Affairs receives a request pursuant to a treaty of extradition from a contracting country for the provisional detention of an offender whose surrender by Japan may be requested under the treaty of extradition, for an offence (for which the contracting country may request the offender’s surrender by Japan under the treaty of extradition), the Minister of Foreign Affairs shall, except in any of the following circumstances, forward to the Minister of Justice a certificate stating that the request for provisional detention has been made, together with the related documents:

(a)When there has been no notification either that a warrant has been issued for the arrest of the person concerned or that a sentence has been imposed on him;

(b)When there has been no assurance that a request for the extradition of the person concerned will be made.

2.When a request for the provisional detention of an offender is not made pursuant to a treaty of extradition, Paragraph 1 above shall apply only if the requesting country has assured that it would honor a request of the same kind made by Japan.

Article 24

When the Minister of Justice receives the documents provided for in Article 23 and deems it to be appropriate to provisionally detain the offender concerned, he shall order the Superintending Prosecutor of the Tokyo High Public Prosecutors Office to provisionally detain the offender concerned.

Article 25

The Superintending Prosecutor of the Tokyo High Public Prosecutors Office shall, when he receive the order from the Minister of Justice provided for in Article 24, cause a public prosecutor of the Tokyo High Public Prosecutors Office to detain the offender concerned under a permit of provisional detention which is to be issued in advance by a judge of the Tokyo High Court.

The Code of Criminal Procedure

Article 199

1.Where there exists any reasonable cause enough to suspect that an offence has been committed by the suspect, a public prosecutor, public prosecutor’s assistant officer or judicial police official may arrest him upon a warrant of arrest issued in advance by a judge. However, in respect to the offences punishable with a fine not exceeding 300,000 yen (20,000 yen as a temporary measure, for offences other than those prescribed in the Penal Code, the Law Concerning Punishment of Physical Violence and Others (Law No. 60 of 1925) and the Law for Improvements of Penal Regulations of Economic Relations (Law No. 4 of 1944), penal detention or a minor fine, such arrest may be effected only in cases where the suspect has no fixed dwelling or where he fails to appear without good reason notwithstanding that he has been called in accordance with the provision of the preceding Article.

2.In case a judge deems that there exists reasonable cause enough to suspect that the suspect has committed an offence, he shall issue a warrant of arrest mentioned in the preceding paragraph, upon request of a public prosecutor or a judicial police officer (in the case of a judicial police officer who is police official, only the person designated by the National Public Safety Commission or the Prefectural Public Safety Commission and ranking as or above the police inspector; the same shall apply hereinafter in this Article) However, this shall not apply in case he deems that there is evidently no necessity for arresting the suspect.

3.When asking for a warrant mentioned in the first paragraph, a public prosecutor or judicial police official shall inform the court of all the requests or issuance of warrants, if any, that have been made previously against the same suspects for the same offence.

Article 203

1.When a judicial police officer has arrested a suspect upon a warrant of arrest or received a suspect who was arrested upon a warrant of arrest, he shall immediately inform him of the essential facts of crime and the fact that he is entitled to select a defense counsel, and then, giving him an opportunity for explanation, he shall immediately release the suspect when he believes there is no need to detain him, or take steps to transfer the suspect together with the documents and evidence to a public prosecutor within 48 hours after the person of the suspect was subjected to restrains, when he believes it necessary to detain him.

2.In the case of the preceding paragraph, the suspect shall be asked whether or not he has a defense counsel and, if he has, he need not be informed of his right to select a defense counsel.

3.If the suspect is not transferred within the time limitation mentioned in the first paragraph, he shall be released immediately.

Article 204

1.When a public prosecutor has arrested the suspect upon a warrant of arrest or received the suspect who was arrested upon a warrant of arrest (excluding such suspect as was delivered in accordance with the preceding Article), he shall immediately inform him of the essential facts of crime and the fact that he is entitled to select a defense counsel, and then, giving him an opportunity for explanation, shall immediately release him when he believes there is no need to detain him, or shall request a judge to detain him within 48 hours after his person was subjected to restraints, when he believes it necessary to detain him. However, the request for detention is not necessary, in case a prosecution has been instituted within the limitation of time.

2.If the request for detention or the institution of prosecution is not made within the time limitation mentioned in the preceding paragraph, the suspect shall be released immediately.

3.The provisions of Paragraph 2 of the preceding Article shall apply mutatis mutandis to the cases of Paragraph 1 of this Article.

Article 205

1.When a public prosecutor has received the suspect delivered in accordance with the provisions of Article 203, he shall give the suspect an opportunity for explanation, and immediately release the suspect if he believes there is no need to detain him, or shall request a judge to detain him within 24 hours after he received the suspect, if he believes it necessary to detain the suspect.

2.The time limitation mentioned in the preceding paragraph shall not exceed 72 hours after the person of the suspect was subjected to restrains.

3.When a prosecution is instituted with the time limitation provided by the preceding two paragraphs, a request for detention need not be made by the public prosecutor.

4.If the request for detention or the institution of prosecution is not made within the time limitation mentioned in the first and second paragraphs, the subject shall immediately be released.

Article 206

1.When unavoidable circumstances prevented a public prosecutor or judicial police officer from complying with the time limitations provided for in the preceding three Articles, a public prosecutor may, offering presumptive proof of the grounds thereof, request a judge to detain the suspect.

2.The judge who has been requested as prescribed in the preceding paragraph shall not issue a warrant of detention, unless he recognizes that the unavoidable circumstances have justified the delay involved.

Article 207

1.The judge who has received the request for detention mentioned in the preceding three Articles shall have the same power as court or presiding judge, regarding the disposition thereof. However, this shall not apply to release on bail.

2.A judge shall promptly issue a warrant of detention when he has received the request mentioned in the preceding paragraph. However, when he recognizes that there are no grounds for detention or when a warrant of detention cannot be issued in accordance with the provisions of Paragraph 2 of the preceding Article, he shall immediately order to release the suspect without issuing a warrant of detention.

Article 210

When there are sufficient grounds to suspect the commission of an offence punishable by the death penalty, or imprisonment with/without forced labor for life or for a maximum period of three years or more: and if, in addition, because of great urgency a warrant of arrest cannot be obtained beforehand from a judge, a public prosecutor, a public prosecutor’s assistant officer or a judicial police official may, upon statement of the reasons therefore, apprehend the suspect. In such cases, measures for obtaining a warrant of arrest from a judge shall be immediately taken. If a warrant of arrest is not issued, the suspect must be released immediately.

(The rest omitted)

Article 213

Any person whosoever may arrest a flagrant offender without warrant.

(Reference to paragraphs 43‑44)

The Code of Criminal Procedure

Article 189

1.A police official shall perform his duties as a judicial police official as authorized by law, or regulations of the National Public Safety Commission or of the Prefectural Public Safety Commission.

2.A judicial police official shall, when he deems an offence has been committed, investigate the offender and evidence thereof.

Article 191

1.A public prosecutor may, if he deems necessary, investigate an offence himself.

2.A public prosecutor’s assistant officer shall investigate an offence under the instruction of a public prosecutor.

(Reference to paragraph 45 of the report)

The Code of Criminal Procedure

Article 80

The accused who has been detained may, subject to the relevant legislation, have an interview or deliver/receive documents or Articles with a person other than as stipulated in Paragraph 1 or Article 39. The same applies to the accused who has been detained in a prison by the warrant of bringing to the court.

Article 81

When there are reasonable grounds to suspect that the accused who has been detained escapes or that he/she destroys or conceals evidence, the court may, upon the request of a public prosecutor or ex ‑officio, prohibit such accused from having an interview or from delivering/receiving documents or other Articles with a person other than as stipulated in Paragraph 1 of Article 39, or inspect or seize such documents or Articles. However, the court may neither prohibit the delivery/receipt of food nor seize such food.

The Prison Law

Article 45

1.A person applying for permission to interview an inmate shall be given it.

2.No convicted person or person under “Kanchi” confinement shall be permitted to have an interview with any person other than a relative; provided that the same shall not apply if it is deemed necessary especially to permit his interview with such person.

(Reference to paragraph 46 of the report)

Annex VI

JAPANESE LEGISLATION IN RELATION TO ARTICLE 7 OF THE CONVENTION AGAINST TORTURE

The Code of Criminal Procedure

Article 242

On receipt of a complaint or accusation, a judicial police official shall promptly forward the documents and piece of evidence pertaining thereto to public prosecutor.

Article 246

Except as otherwise provided in this Law when a judicial police official has conducted the investigation of a crime, he shall send the case together with the documents and pieces of evidence to a public prosecutor. However, this shall not apply to the case which is specially designated by a public prosecutor.

Article 247

Prosecution shall be instituted by a public prosecutor.

(Reference to paragraph)

Annex VII

JAPANESE LEGISLATION TO ARTICLE 8 OF THE CONVENTION AGAINST TORTURE

Law of Extradition

Article 2

1.A fugitive shall not be surrendered in any of the following circumstances, provided that this shall not apply, in cases falling under items (3), (4), (8), or (9), when the treaty of extradition provides otherwise.

(a)When the offence for which extradition is requested is a political offence;

(b)When the request for extradition is deemed to have been made with a view to trying or punishing the fugitive for a political offence which he has committed;

(c)When the offence for which extradition is requested is not punishable by death, or by imprisonment for life or for a maximum term of three years or more by the laws, regulations or ordinances of the requesting country;

(d)When the act constituting the offence for which extradition is requested would not be punishable under the laws, regulations or ordinances of Japan by death or by imprisonment with or without forced labor for life or for a maximum term of three years or more if the act were committed in Japan;

(e)When it is deemed that under the laws, regulations or ordinances of Japan it would be impossible to impose or to execute punishment upon the fugitive, if the act constituting the offence for which extradition is requested were committed in Japan, or if the trial therefore were held in a court of Japan;

(f)Except in the case of a fugitive who has been convicted of an offence for which extradition is requested by a court of the requesting country, when there is no probable cause to suspect that the fugitive has committed an act which constitutes an offence for which extradition is requested;

(g)When a criminal prosecution based on the act constituting an offence for which extradition is requested is pending in a Japanese court, or when a judgment in such a case has become nonappealable;

(h)When a criminal prosecution for an offence committed by the fugitive other than an offence for which extradition is requested is pending in a Japanese court, or when the fugitive has been sentenced to punishment by a Japanese court for such an offence and the execution of his sentence has not been completed or he may not yet no longer be subjected to the execution of the sentence;

(i)When the fugitive is a Japanese national.

Article 3

1.When a request for the surrender of a fugitive is made, the Minister of Foreign Affairs shall, except in any of the following circumstances, forward to the Minister of Justice the written request or a certificate which he has prepared stating that the request for extradition has been made, together with the related documents:

(a)When, in the case of a request which has been made pursuant to a treaty of extradition, it is deemed that the form of the request is not consistent with the requirements of the treaty of extradition;

(b)When, in the case of a request which has not been made pursuant to a treaty of extradition, the requesting country has not assured that it would honor a request of the same kind made by Japan.

(Reference to Article 8 of the report)

Annex VIII

JAPANESE LEGISLATION TO ARTICLE 10 OF THE CONVENTION AGAINST TORTURE

The Constitution of Japan

Article 36

The infliction of torture by any public officer and cruel punishments are absolutely forbidden.

Article 99

The Emperor or the Regent as well as Ministers of State, members of the Diet, judges, and all other public officers have the obligation to respect and uphold this Constitution.

National Public Service Law

Article 98

In carrying out their duties, public officials shall obey laws and ordinances and faithfully follow the orders of their superiors.

(The rest omitted)

Local Public Service Law

Article 32

The officials shall, in the performance of their duties, comply with laws and ordinances, regulations, rules of local public bodies and regulations made by organizations of local municipal entities and shall faithfully observe the orders on the duties by their superiors.

(See reference to Article 10 of the report)

The Rule of Criminal Investigation

Article 168

1.In case of examination, no such measure as to make the voluntariness seem doubtful including compulsion, torture, intimidation, etc. shall be taken.

2.In case of examination, no measures which could cause the trust of statement to be lost shall be taken, such as leading the suspect to state what a police officer himself expect or desires by indicating such a statement, or promising to give him an advantage in exchange for a statement.

3.Examination shall not be made at midnight unless there is the unavoidable reason for doing it.

The Rules for Detaining Suspects

Article 2

The suspect under detention (thereinafter called “detainee”) shall be treated properly according to this law as well as other laws and orders, and any abuse of his/her fundamental human right shall be strictly prohibited.

Article 19

A guard shall, when a detainee makes request regarding his/her treatment, selection of defense counsel, etc., forthwith report it to the detention chief, and cause necessary measures to be taken.

Article 21

1.A guard shall, when he finds something unusual about the detainee or the cell, take a temporary measure and forthwith report it to the chief of the police station via detention chief.

2.The chief of the police station shall, when he receives the report provided for in the preceding paragraph, forthwith report it to the Chief of Prefectural Police Headquarters if it is concerned with suicide, death by disease, escape, or any other serious accident of a detainee.

Instructions on the Standard and Procedures to Use Restraining Devices in Police Detention Cells

Article 3

Among the restraining devices, handcuffs and arresting ropes may be used for detainees who might escape, commit violence or suicide, gags may be used for detainees who cry out neglecting inhibitions recklessly, and straight jacket may be used for detainees who might commit violence or suicide.

(Reference to paragraphs 63‑67)

Regulations for the Duties of Prison Officials to Maintain Discipline of Prison Facilities

Article 7

1.When an inmate inflicts injury on himself or others, escapes, obstructs the official duties of the officials of the prison facility, or commits an act that may hinder the maintenance of discipline and order of the prison facility, or attempts to commit the aforementioned acts, prison officials shall suppress such act, restrain the inmate and take other measures to deter the act.

2.The measures referred to in the preceding paragraph shall not exceed the limit that is deemed rationally necessary to achieve the purpose depending on the situation.

Article 8

When conducting the inspection in the preceding paragraph by having the inmate take off his/her clothes, the prison official shall give consideration not to embarrass the inmate, by a method such as conducting it at a place others cannot see him/her.

Article 20

When a prison official uses a restraining device, a gun, a tear‑gas gun, or a truncheon, the use shall not exceed the limit deemed to be reasonably necessary to achieve the purpose in accordance with its use and the situation.

Prison Law Enforcement Regulation

Article 46

The warden shall cause prison officials to search the bodies and clothing of prisoners on their return from workshops or from outside the prison.

(Reference to paragraphs 68‑72 of the report)

Duties and Instructions for Immigration Control Officers

Article 3

(An Immigration Control Officer) shall respect basic human rights and shall not abuse his/her authority and power such as interfering with freedom and rights of individuals.

Article 4

An Immigration Control Officer shall strictly observe the following items:

An Immigration Control Officer shall always be calm, polite, and orderly. When executing duties, he/she shall keep a calm attitude, make right decisions and be patient. The official shall refrain from using a rude and humiliating language or taking such attitude to any person.

Regulations for Treatment of Detainees

Article 1

The purpose of these regulations is to execute the appropriate treatment of foreign nationals with respecting their human rights, who are detained (hereinafter referred to as “detainees”) in the Immigration Centers or detention houses (hereinafter referred to as “Immigration Centers, etc”) under the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act (Cabinet Order No. 319 of 1951).

Article 2 ‑2

The director, etc. (the Director of an Immigration Center and of a Regional Immigration Bureau) shall expect to ensure the appropriate treatment of detainees by hearing the opinions from the detainees concerning their treatments, patrolling the Immigration Centers, etc, and taking other measures.

(Reference to paragraphs 73 and 74)

Self ‑Defense Forces Law

Article 56

Any member of the Self‑Defense Forces shall obey laws and ordinances, execute his duty faithfully, never evade danger or responsibility in the line of his duty, and never quit his duty without receiving orders from superiors.

Code of Conduct for Self ‑Defense Forces Criminal Investigations

Article 4

In conducting any investigation, the basic human rights of individuals shall be respected and the power of investigation shall be used fairly and faithfully.

Article 5

In conducting any investigation, a police affairs official, etc. shall strictly observe the Self‑Defense Force Law, the Code of Criminal Procedure and other laws, ordinances, and regulations and shall be careful not to unfairly infringe the freedom and rights of individuals.

Article 92

In conducting any investigation, a police affairs official, etc. shall take a moderate and reasonable approach, and in conducting any investigation by compulsory measures (hereinafter referred to as “compulsory investigation”), shall be specially careful not to exceed the necessary limit and, in addition, not to infringe the basic human rights of the suspect and other people concerned.

Article 266

In conducting any interview, a police affairs official, etc. shall not use any method that may arouse suspicion as to the voluntariness of the statement, considering that any statement based on compulsion, torture, or intimidation and any other statement that arouses suspicion as to its voluntariness is inadmissible as an evidence.

(Reference to paragraphs 75‑79 of the report)

Code of Coast Guard Criminal Investigations

Article 134

1.In conducting an interview, compulsion, torture, intimidation or any other method that would arouses suspicions as to the voluntariness of the statement shall not be used.

2.In conducting interviews, methods that may cause the statement lose its credibility, such as making leading questions without a reason or promising a profit in return for a statement, shall not be used.

3.Interviews shall not be conducted late at night except in unavoidable cases.

Japan Coast Guard Detention Administration

Article 1

In the treatment of detainees, laws, ordinances and this regulation shall be observed and a particular attention shall be paid so as not to unfairly infringe the human rights of the detainees.

Article 20

When a detainee makes a request on an appointment of a defense council or on his/her treatment, the detention chief shall take an appropriate measure in response, such as reporting it to the investigation chief.

(Reference to paragraphs 80‑81)

Annex IX

JAPANESE LEGISLATION TO ARTICLE 11 OF THE CONVENTION AGAINST TORTURE

Rule of Criminal Investigation

Article 16

Chief of Prefectural Police Headquarters (including Superintendent General) is responsible for supervising and directing criminal investigation as a whole, allocating officials rationally, giving them guidance and training, and making preparation for investigation by providing resources and facilities in order to carry out reasonable and fair investigation.

Article 17

Chief of division or section responsible for investigation including Criminal Division Chief and Security Division Chief shall assist Chief of Prefectural Police Headquarters and supervise the criminal investigation under his direction.

Article 18

Chief of Police Station is responsible not only for direction and supervise with regard to the Police Station thereof, but also reasonable and fair investigation under direction of Chief of Prefectural Police Headquarters.

Article 20

1.Chief of Prefectural Police Headquarters or Chief of Police Station shall appoint an investigation chief for the investigation concerned.

2.The investigation chief shall, under the direction provided for in Article 16 to the preceding Article (direction and supervision by the Chief of Prefectural Police Headquarters, Chief of the department in charge of the investigation, or Chief of Police Station), conduct the following duties on the concerned investigation:

(a)Decide the matter to be investigated and the division of duties for each investigator;

(b)Approve confiscated materials and accounts for the amounts converted into money, and always know their condition of custody;

(c)Make the investigation plan in accordance with the provision in Article 3 Paragraph 5 (investigation policy);

(d)Request investigators to report on the status of the investigation;

(e)Discuss with the detention chief (the detention chief provided for in Article 4, Paragraph 2 of the Rules for Detaining Suspects ‑ Rule No. 4 of the National Public Safety Commission in 1957. Same in Article 136‑2, Paragraph 1) when making a plan provided for in Article 136‑2 about the suspect detained in a police detention cell (called “detained suspect” in Paragraph 1 of Article 136‑2 Note for crime scene inspection with the suspect);

(f)Give instructions and educations to investigators on appropriate execution of the investigation and on prevention of escape and suicide of the suspect and other accidents;

(g)In addition to the duties provided for in each proceeding item, the matters under his jurisdiction in accordance with laws and ordinances and the matters specially ordered by Chief of Prefectural Police Headquarters or Chief of Police Station.

3.Chief of Prefectural Police Headquarters or Chief of Police Station shall, when appointing an investigation chief pursuant to the provision in Paragraph 1, appoint a person deemed to be capable of conducting the duties provided for in the preceding paragraph, considering content of the case, investigative ability of his subordinate officials, his knowledge, experience, and job performance.

4.When the investigation chief is changed, handover shall be done carefully to avoid its affect on the subsequent investigation by ensuring the handover of related documents and proofs and clarifying necessary matters such as the progress of the investigation.

(Reference to Article 11, paragraphs 82 and 83 of the report)

The Rules for Detaining Suspects

Article 4

1.Chief of Police Station (or a concerned section chief with regard to a detention house established at Prefectural Police Headquarters; the same as follows) shall take charge of direction and supervision as a whole, with regard to the detention of a suspect and management of a detention house, assuming responsibility to Chief of Prefectural Police Headquarters (who is either Superintendent General or Chief of Do‑Fu‑Ken Police Headquarters; the same as follows).

2.A chief of the section or sub‑section responsible for General Affairs or the one responsible for Police Administration of a Police Station (or a chief of police box with regard to a detention house established at a Prefectural Police Headquarters) shall, as a detention chief, assist the Chief of Police Station, take charge of direction and supervision of the police official in charge of guarding (hereinafter “guard”), and administer on the detention of suspects and the detention house.

3.When a detention chief is absent, the person in charge of watch or the person the Chief of Police Station specified shall perform the duties instead of the detention chief.

(Reference to paragraphs 84‑85)

The Prison Law

Article 4

The Minister of Justice shall cause officials to inspect the prisons at least once every two years.

The Juvenile Training School Law

Article 3

The Minister of Justice shall be responsible for the appropriate maintenance and thorough inspection of the Juvenile Training Schools.

(Reference to paragraphs 86‑89)

Article 247

Prosecution shall be instituted by a public prosecutor.

Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act

Article 61 ‑7

1.The person detained in an Immigration Center or detention house (hereinafter referred to as “detainee”) shall be given the maximum liberty consistent with the security requirements of the Immigration Center or the detention house.

2.The detainee shall be provided with prescribed bedding and supplied with prescribed food.

3.The supplies furnished to the detainee shall be adequate and the accommodation of the Immigration Center or detention house shall be maintained in sanitary conditions.

4.A Director of the Immigration Center or Regional Immigration Bureau may, when he considers it necessary for security or sanitation purposes of the Immigration Center or detention house, examine the person, personal effects, or clothing of the detainee, and may hold in custody the detainee’s personal effects or clothing.

5.Director of the Immigration Center or Regional Immigration Bureau may, when he considers it necessary for security of the Immigration Center or detention house inspect any communications the detainee may dispatch and receive, and may prohibit or restrict such dispatch and receipt.

6.Besides those provided for in the preceding paragraphs, necessary matters concerning the treatment of detainees shall be prescribed by the Ministry of Justice Ordinance.

Regulations for Treatment of Detainees

Article 2

The Director of an Immigration Center or a Regional Immigration Bureau (hereinafter referred to as the “director, etc.”) shall respect the lifestyle of the detainee, which is based on the manners and customs of the home country of the detainee, within a scope that does not affect the security of the Immigration Center, etc.

Article 2 ‑2

The director, etc. shall be expected to ensure the appropriate treatments of detainees by hearing the opinions from the detainees concerning their treatments, patrolling the Immigration Centers, etc., and taking other measures.

Article 7

1.The matters which need to be observed by the detainees in order to maintain safety and order in the Immigration Centers, etc. and to make their lives in the Immigration Centers, etc. smooth (hereinafter referred to as the “Rules for Detainees”) shall be as follows:

(a)Not to escape or not to attempt to escape;

(b)Not to harm oneself or not to attempt to harm oneself;

(c)Not to harm others or not to attempt to harm others;

(d)Not to disturb others;

(e)Not to damage the facilities, equipments, and other things in the Immigration Centers, etc.;

(f)Not to receive goods from outsiders without permission;

(g)Not to possess or use weapons, firebombs, or any other hazardous materials;

(h)Not to obstruct the duties of the officials;

(i)Try to keep tidy and clean.

2.The director, etc. may, besides the rules in the preceding paragraph, decide additional Rules for Detainees in line with the actual conditions of the Immigration Centers, etc. by getting the approval of the Minister of Justice.

3.When detaining a new person in the Immigration Centers, etc., the director, etc. shall inform the person of the Rules for Detainees in advance.

4.An Immigration Control Officer may provide necessary guidance to a detainee to have the detainee observe the Rules for Detainees.

Article 17 ‑2

When a detainee violates the Rules for Detainees or attempts to do so, an Immigration Control Officer may order the detainee to stop such act, restrain the act within the limit judged to be reasonably necessary, and take any other measures to suppress the act.

Article 18

1.When a detainee commits an act that falls under any one of the following items or attempts to do so, or colludes, incites, abets, or assists such an act, the director, etc. may isolate the detainee from other detainees for a determined period. In such case, however, the director, etc. shall immediately cease the isolation when it became unnecessary regardless of the determined period:

(a)To escape, commit an act of violence, damage the properties, or commit any other acts that violate punitive laws and orders;

(b)To rebel against or obstruct the execution of duties by an official;

(c)To commit suicide or harm oneself.

2.In a case prescribed in the preceding paragraph, when there is no time to get the order of the director, etc., an Immigration Control Officer may isolate the detainee from other detainees on his/her own judgment.

3.In case of implementing the isolation prescribed in the preceding paragraph, the Immigration Control Officer shall immediately report it to the director, etc.

Article 41 ‑2

A detainee, when he/she is dissatisfied with the treatment of him/her by an Immigration Control Officer, may file a complaint with the director, etc. in writing by stating the ground for the complaint within seven days from the date the treatment was made.

Article 41 ‑3

A detainee who is dissatisfied with the judgment under the provision of Paragraph 2 of the preceding Article may file an objection with the Minister of Justice by submitting to the director, etc. a document stating the ground for the complaint within three days from the date he/she received the notification under the provision of the same paragraph.

Duties Instructions for Immigration Control Officers

Article 4

An Immigration Control Officer shall strictly observe the following items:

(a)An Immigration Control Officer shall always be calm, polite, and orderly. When executing duties, he/she shall keep a calm attitude, make right decisions and be patient. The official shall refrain from using a rude and humiliating language or taking such an attitude to any person.

(Reference to paragraphs 90‑99)

The Law Concerning the Prevention of Infections and Medical Care For Patients of Infection

Article 6

1.The “infectious diseases” referred to in this Law are Infectious Disease ‑ Type I, Infectious Disease ‑ Type II, Infectious Disease ‑ Type III, Infectious Disease ‑ Type IV, Infectious Disease ‑ Type V, Designated Infectious Disease, and New Infectious Disease.

2.The “Infectious Disease ‑ Type I” referred to in this Law are Ebola hemorrhagic fever, Crimea‑Congo hemorrhagic fever, severe acute respiratory syndrome (only the type caused by SARS corona virus), smallpox, plague, Marburg disease, and Lassa fever.

3.The “Infectious Disease ‑ Type II” referred to in this Law are acute anterior poliomyelitis, cholera, bacillary dysentery, diphtheria, typhoid, and paratyphoid.

(4.‑7. omitted)

8.The “New Infectious Disease” referred to in this Law are the diseases that are recognized to be transmitted from person to person, of which medical conditions and therapeutic result obviously differ from those of already known infectious diseases, of which symptoms are severe, and of which spread may exert serious impact on the nation’s life and health.

(9.‑14. omitted)

Article 20

1.A prefectural governor, when he considers it necessary for the prevention of the spread of the Infectious Disease ‑ Type I, may advise the patient of the infectious disease who is in hospital in accordance with the preceding Article to enter a designated medical institution for special infectious disease or a designated medical institution for Infectious Disease ‑ Type I for a specified period not longer than ten days, or advise the guardian of the patient to have the patient hospitalized at such a medical institution. When there is an unavoidable reason such as an emergency, the prefectural governor may advise the patient to enter a hospital or a medical clinic that he judges as appropriate, other than the designated medical institution for special infectious disease or a designated medical institution for Infectious Disease ‑ Type I, for a specified period not longer than ten days, or advise the guardian of the patient to have the patient hospitalized at such a medical institution.

2.When the person who received the advice based on the preceding paragraph does not follow the advice, the prefectural governor may hospitalize the patient at a designated medical institution for special infectious disease or a designated medical institution for Infectious Disease ‑ Type I, for a specified period not longer than ten days (when the person does not follow the advice based on the proviso of the preceding paragraph, at a hospital or a medical clinic that the governor judges as appropriate, other than the designated medical institution for special infectious disease or a designated medical institution for Infectious Disease ‑ Type I).

3.When there is an unavoidable reason such as an emergency, the prefectural governor may hospitalize the patient at a hospital or a medical institution that the governor judges as appropriate, other than the hospital or medical institution at which the patent is currently hospitalized in accordance with the preceding two paragraphs, for a specified period not longer than ten days counting from the day when the patient was hospitalized in accordance with the preceding two paragraphs.

4.When the patient hospitalized pursuant to the preceding three paragraphs is deemed to require a longer stay in the hospital after the period specified under the same paragraph, the prefectural governor may extend the hospitalization for a specified period not longer than ten days. The same shall apply when the period of hospitalization needs to be further extended after the said extended period.

5.The prefectural governor shall, when he intends to extend the period of the hospitalization made based on the advice provided for in paragraph 1 or on the provision of the preceding paragraph, hear beforehand the opinion of the council that is set up in accordance with Article 24 Paragraph 1 in the public health center having jurisdiction over the hospital or clinic at which the patient is being hospitalized.

Article 24

In order to deliberate the necessary matters concerning the advice provided for in Article 20, Paragraph 1, or the extension of the hospitalization period provided for in Paragraph 4 of the same article in response to a request from the prefectural governor, a council concerning the examination of infectious diseases (hereinafter referred to as the “council” in this article) shall be set up in each public health center.

(2.‑5. omitted)

Article 25

1.The patient who has been hospitalized in accordance with the provision of Paragraph 2 or Paragraph 3 of Article 20 for more than thirty days or his/her guardian may make a request for examination either in writing or orally of the measure of hospitalization taken under the said paragraph (including a request for re‑examination, hereinafter the same in this article) to the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare.

2.When a request for examination under the previous paragraph is made, the Minster of Health, Labour and Welfare shall render a decision on the request for examination within five days from the day on which the request was made.

3.When the patient who has been hospitalized in accordance with the provision of Paragraph 2 or Paragraph 3 of Article 20 for less than thirty days or his/her guardian made a request for examination to the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare based on the Administrative Appeal Law (Law No. 160 of 1962), the Minister shall render a decision on the request within thirty‑five days from the day on which the patient concerned was hospitalized under the provision of the said article.

(4.‑5. omitted)

6.When rendering the decision under Paragraph 2 or the one under Paragraph 3 (limited to the one concerning a patient whose period of hospitalization exceeds thirty days), the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare shall hear in advance the opinion of the deliberative council, etc. (an organization provided for in Article 8 of the National Government Organization Law ‑ Law No. 120 of 1948).

Quarantine Law

Article 2

1.The “quarantine infectious diseases” referred to in this law mean the following infectious diseases:

(a)The Infectious Disease ‑ Type I provided for in the Law Concerning the Prevention of Infections and Medical Care for Patients of Infection (Law No. 114 of 1998);

(b)Cholera;

(c)Yellow fever.

2.In addition to the ones prescribed in the preceding three items, infectious diseases are those that are not constantly present in Japan and that a government ordinance provides for the inspection of the existence of pathogens to prevent them from entering into Japan.

Article 14

1.The director of a quarantine station may take all or part of the following measures to the extent considered to be reasonably necessary for the vessels that originated from an area where a quarantine infectious disease is prevalent or that made a port call at such an area en route to Japan, for the vessels that produced a quarantine infectious disease patient or dead person en route to Japan, for the vessels on which a quarantine infectious disease patient or dead body, or a rat that holds or is suspected to hold plague bacilli was detected, and for the vessels that are contaminated or suspected to have been contaminated with pathogens of quarantine infectious disease:

(a)To isolate or to have a quarantine officer isolate the patient suffering from quarantine infectious disease or cholera referred to in Article 2, Item 1;

(b)To stop or to have a quarantine officer stop the person who is suspected to have contracted a pathogen of infectious diseases referred to in Article 2, Item 1 (limited to the case that the infectious disease referred to in the said Item broke out in a foreign country, and that it is considered the pathogens would enter into Japan and exert serious influence on the nation’s life and health);

((c)‑(d) omitted)

(2. omitted)

Article 16

1.The stoppage provided in Article 14, Paragraph 1, Item 2, shall be implemented, by setting the period of time, in the form of hospitalization that is consigned to a designated medical institution for special infectious disease or a designated medical institution for Infectious Disease ‑ Type I. When there is an unavoidable reason such as an emergency, the hospitalization may be consigned to a hospital or a medical clinic that the director of the quarantine station judges as appropriate other than the designated medical institution for special infectious disease or a designated medical institution for Infectious Disease ‑ Type I, or such persons, with the consent of the captain of the vessel, may be locked within the vessel.

2.The period referred to in the preceding paragraph shall not exceed the period set by government ordinance in accordance with the incubation period of each infectious disease, including a period not exceeding one‑hundred and forty‑four hours for plague referred to in Article 2, Item 1, and a period not exceeding five‑hundred and four hours for the infectious diseases other than plague referred to in the same Item.

(3.‑6. omitted)

Article 16bis

1.The patient who has been isolated in accordance with the provision of Article 14, Paragraph 1, Item 1, for more than thirty days or his/her guardian may make a request for review either in writing or orally of the measure of isolation (including a request for re‑examination, hereinafter the same in the next paragraph and Paragraph 3) to the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare.

2.When a request for review under the previous paragraph is made, the Minster of Health, Labour and Welfare shall render a decision on the request for examination within five days from the day on which the request was made.

(3.‑5. omitted)

6.When rendering the decision under Paragraph 2 or the one under Paragraph 3 (limited to the one concerning a patient whose period of hospitalization exceeds thirty days), the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare shall hear in advance the opinion of the deliberative council, etc. (an organization provided for in Article 8 of the National Government Organization Law ‑ Law No. 120 of 1948).

Law related to Mental Health and Welfare of the Person with Mental Disorder

Article 19 ‑4 ‑2

The Designated Physician shall promptly describe his/her name and other matters prescribed by the Health and Welfare Ministerial Order in the medical record when he/she has performed the duties under Paragraph 1 of the preceding article (Note: Judgment on whether it is necessary to continue hospitalization and whether to restrict activities).

Article 29

1.If a prefectural governor recognizes that the person thus examined is mentally disordered and is likely to hurt himself/herself or others because of mental disorder unless hospitalized for medical care and protection based on the result of examination under Article 27 (Note: Examinations of a designated physician performed in accordance with an application, reporting, or notification), the governor may cause said person to enter a mental hospital established by the national or prefectural government or a Designated Hospital.

2.The prefectural governor shall cause said person to enter the hospital under the preceding Paragraph only when said person has been examined by at least two Designated Physicians and the results of examination by each physician concur in that said person is mentally disordered and that he/she is likely to hurt himself/herself or others because of mental disorder unless admitted to a hospital for medical care and protection.

3.When taking the measure under Paragraph 1, the prefectural governor shall notify in writing to said Person with Mental Disorder that said measure of hospitalization is being taken and the matters related to request for release, etc. under Article 38‑4 and other matters prescribed by the Health and Welfare Ministerial Order.

4.The administrator of a mental hospital established by the national or a prefectural government or of a Designated Hospital shall admit the Person with Mental Disorder mentioned in Paragraph 1 unless no bed is available because there are already persons hospitalized under Paragraph 1 or Paragraph 1 of the following Article (beds designated in the hospital where a ward is designated under Article 19‑8).

Article 29 ‑4

1.The prefectural governor shall immediately release the person hospitalized under Paragraph 1 of Article 29 (hereinafter referred to as “Involuntary Patient”) when said person is deemed not likely to hurt himself/herself or others because of his/her mental disorder even if hospitalization is discontinued. In this case, the prefectural governor shall ask in advance the opinion of the administrator of the mental hospital or the Designated Hospital where said person is being hospitalized.

2.The prefectural governor releasing said person under the preceding paragraph shall base his/her judgment that said person is no longer likely to hurt himself/herself or others because of mental disorder even if hospitalization is discontinued only on the result of examination by the Designated Physician appointed by him/her or the result of medical examination under the following Article (Note: Examination by a designated physician).

Article 36

1.The administrator of a mental hospital may impose necessary restraints on a person hospitalized within the limit essential for his/her medical care and protection.

2.Notwithstanding the preceding paragraph, the administrator of a mental hospital shall not impose restraints that are prescribed in advance by the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare based on the opinion of the Social Security Council, said restraints being those on receipt/dispatch of confidential papers, interviews, etc. with the staff of the prefectural governments or other administrative organs.

3.Of the restraints imposed under Paragraph 1, restraints such as isolation, etc. prescribed in advance by the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare based on the opinion of the Social Security Council shall be imposed only when the Designated Physician deems it necessary.

Article 38 ‑2

1.The administrator of a mental hospital or a Designated Hospital where an Involuntary Patient is hospitalized shall regularly report to the prefectural governor via the director of the nearest Health Center the conditions of Involuntary Patient and other matters prescribed by the Health and Welfare Ministerial Order (hereinafter referred to as “the Reported Matters”) under the Health and Welfare Ministerial Order. In this case, the matters prescribed by the Health and Welfare Ministerial Order among the Reported Matters shall be based on the result of examination by the Designated Physician.

2.The provisions of the preceding paragraph shall be applied mutatis mutandis to the administrator of a mental hospital where the patient under medical care and protection is being hospitalized. In this case, the term “the Involuntary Patient” shall read as “the Patient Under Medical Care and Protection.”

Article 38 ‑4

The person hospitalized at a mental hospital or the person responsible for his/her custody may request the prefectural governor under the Health and Welfare Ministerial Order to cause said person to be discharged, order the administrator of the mental hospital to discharge him/her or to take measures necessary for improving his/her treatment.

Article 38 ‑5

1.When a request under the preceding Article is received, the prefectural governor shall notify the content of said request to the Psychiatric Review Board and shall ask for their review to determine whether or not the person concerned with said request requires hospitalization and whether or not his/her treatment is adequate.

2.When the review under the preceding Article is requested, the Psychiatric Review Board shall review whether or not the person concerned with said review requires hospitalization, and his/her treatment is adequate, and notify the result to the prefectural governor.

3.In conducting the review under the preceding paragraph, the Psychiatric Review Board shall ask the opinion of the person making the request for review under the preceding paragraph and the administrator of the mental hospital where the person for whom the review was requested is being hospitalized. Provided, however, this provision shall not apply if the Psychiatric Review Board specifically recognizes that there is no need for asking their opinions.

4.In addition to those prescribed in the preceding paragraph, if the Psychiatric Review Board recognizes it necessary in conducting the review under Paragraph 2, the Board may cause the committee to examine the person hospitalized, for whom the review is related, with his/her consent, or ask the administrator of the mental hospital where said person is hospitalized or the other person concerned to report, order submission of the medical record and other documents, or order to appear for a hearing.

5.Based on the result of review by the Psychiatric Review Board notified under Paragraph 2, the prefectural governor shall discharge the person for whom hospitalization is deemed not necessary, or order the administrator of said mental hospital to discharge said person or to take necessary measures for improving his/her treatment.

6.The prefectural governor shall notify the person making the request under the preceding article of the result of the review related to the request by the Psychiatric Review Board and the measure taken based on the review result.

Law on the Medical Care and Observation for Mentally Incompetent Person who Committed Serious Harm on Others

Article 6

1.A mental health judge shall be appointed by a district court for each treatment case from among the persons listed in the name list of the following paragraph who are selected in advance each year by the district court in accordance with the Supreme Court Rules.

2.The Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare shall, in order to contribute to the selection of those to be appointed as a mental health judge, send to the Supreme Court every year a list of doctors who have the necessary experience and academic background to perform the duties of a mental health judge that are provided for in this law (hereinafter referred to as “mental health judging doctor”) pursuant to a government ordinance.

3.A mental health judge shall be paid allowances in accordance with a separate law, and be paid traveling expenses, daily allowances, and accommodation fee in accordance with the Supreme Court Rule.

Article 11

Notwithstanding the provisions of Article 26 of the Court Organization Law (Law No. 59 of 1947), a district court shall deal with a treatment case by a collegial body of one judge and one mental health judge. However, this does not apply to the matters that are otherwise specified under this law.

Article 14

The judgment by the collegial body under Article 11, Paragraph 1 shall be rendered by consensus between the judge and the mental health judge.

Article 92

1.The manager of a designated medical institution for hospitalization may impose necessary limitations to the activities of the person who is hospitalized in accordance with the decision under Article 42, Paragraph 1, Item 1, or Article 61, Paragraph 1, Item 1, to the extent that is essential for the medical treatment or protection of that person.

2.Notwithstanding the provision in the preceding paragraph, the manager of a designated medical institution for hospitalization shall not limit sending and receiving of letters, interviews with attorneys and with officials of administrative organs, or any other activities that the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare has specified in advance by hearing the opinion of the Social Security Council.

3.Among the limitations of activities under Paragraph 1, isolation of the patient and limitation of other activities that the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare has specified in advance by hearing the opinion of the Social Security Council may not be implemented unless a designated mental health doctor working for the designated medical institution for hospitalization judges it to be necessary.

Article 93

1.In addition to those prescribed in the preceding article , the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare may establish necessary standards on the treatment of a person who is hospitalized in a designated medical institution for hospitalization by the decision made pursuant to Article 42, Paragraph 1, Item 1, or Article 61, Paragraph 1, Item 1.

2.When the standards under the preceding paragraph are established, the managers of designated medical institution for hospitalization shall observe those standards.

3.When establishing the standards prescribed in Paragraph 1, the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare shall hear the opinion of the Social Security Council in advance.

Article 95

The person who is hospitalized in a designated medical institution for hospitalization by the decision made pursuant to Article 42, Paragraph 1, Item 1, or Article 61, Paragraph 1, Item 1, or his/her guardian may, in accordance with an ordinance of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, request the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare to order the manager of the designated medical institution for hospitalization to take necessary measures to improve the treatment of the hospitalized person.

Article 96

1.When receiving the request under the preceding article , the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare shall notify the content of the request to the Social Security Council and ask the council to examine whether or not the treatment of the hospitalized person subject to the request is appropriate.

2.The Social Security Council shall, when asked to make the examination of the preceding paragraph, examine whether or not the treatment of the hospitalized person subject to the examination is appropriate and shall notify its result to the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare.

3.In making the examination under the preceding paragraph, the Social Security Council shall hear the opinion of the person who made the request under the preceding Article in relation to the examination and the opinion of the manager of the designated medical institution for hospitalization in which the hospitalized person subject to the examination is hospitalized. However, this does not apply when the Social Security Council specially judges that there is no need to hear the opinions of these persons.

4.In addition to getting the opinions specified in the preceding paragraph, the Social Security Council may, if it considers it necessary in making the examination under Paragraph 2, have a designated mental health doctor examine the hospitalized person subject to the examination with his/her consent, or request the manager of the designated medical institution for hospitalization where the person concerned is hospitalized or other persons concerned to report, to submit records and documents including the medical record, or to submit himself/herself for an inquest.

5.The Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare shall, when judging it necessary based on the result of examination by the Social Security Council informed pursuant to Paragraph 2, order the manager of the designated medical institution for hospitalization to take measures to improve the treatment of the hospitalized person.

6.The Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare shall inform the person who made the request under the preceding article about the result of the examination of the Social Security Council and about the measures taken based on the result.

(Reference to paragraphs 100‑110)

Directives concerning the Organization and Operation of the Police Affairs Corps

Article 29

The inspection of judicial police duties shall be implemented to examine the propriety of the execution of judicial police duties by the Police Affairs Corps and to make it reasonable and efficient.

Article 30

1.The Chief of Staff of the Ground Self‑Defense Force shall conduct inspection of the judicial police duties of the Police Affairs Corps and report its result to the Director General.

2.The District Commending General shall conduct inspection of the judicial police duties of the District Police Affairs Corps in accordance with rules set up by the Chief of Staff of the Ground Self‑Defense Force.

Article 31

The Chief of Staff of the Ground Self‑Defense Force shall determine the matters necessary for the planning and implementation of inspection of judicial police duties every year and obtain approval of the Director General.

Maritime Self ‑Defense Force

Directives concerning the Organization and Operation of the Police Affairs Corps of the Maritime Self ‑Defense Force (Maritime Self ‑Defense Criminal Investigation Command)

Article 18

1.The Chief of Staff of the Maritime Self‑Defense Force shall conduct inspection of the judicial police duties to examine the propriety of the execution of judicial police duties by the Police Affairs Corps and to make it reasonable and efficient.

2.The Chief of Staff of the Maritime Self‑Defense Force shall draw up a police affairs inspection plan every year and obtain approval of the Director General, and report the result of inspection to the Director General.

Air Self ‑Defense Force

Directives concerning the Duty and Operation of the Police Affairs Corps of the Air Self ‑Defense Force (Air Self ‑Defense Force Air Police Group)

Article 12

The inspection of judicial police duties shall be implemented to examine the propriety of the execution of judicial police duty by the Police Affairs Corps of the Air Self‑Defense Force and to make it reasonable and efficient.

Article 13

The Chief of Staff of the Air Self‑Defense Force shall determine the matters necessary for the planning and implementation of inspection of judicial police duties every year and obtain approval of the Director General.

Article 14

The Chief of Staff of the Air Self‑Defense Force shall conduct inspection of the judicial police duties of the Police Affairs Corps of the Air Self‑Defense Corp and report its result to the Director General.

(Reference to paragraph 111)

Japan Coast Guard Detention Administration Regulations

Article 3

1.The persons who are the officials of the Regional Coast Guard Headquarters and designated by the Chairman of the Regional Coast Guard Headquarters, the head of the administrative division of the Coast Guard Office, deputy head of the Maritime Guard and Rescue Office or the Coast Guard Station, or the persons who are not engaged in business concerning investigation of offences committed at sea and designated by the head of the Maritime Guard and Rescue Office or the head of Coast Guard Station, or heads of operation groups not engaged in business concerning investigations of offences committed at sea and designated by the captain of a patrol boat (hereinafter referred to as “chief detention officer”) shall conduct detention business by respective orders from the Chairman of the Regional Coast Guard Headquarters, the head of the Coast Guard Office, the head of the Maritime Guard and Rescue Office, the head of the Coast Guard Station or the captain of the patrol boat (hereinafter to be called “the head of the Coast Guard Office, etc.”).

2.The chief detention officer of the Coast Guard Office shall conduct the detention business of the branch prisons administered by the Coast Guard Office by orders of the head of the Coast Guard Office.

3.When the chief detention officer is absent due to a disease or an official trip, the person who is designated beforehand by the head of the Coast Guard Office, etc. shall act as a proxy.

4.Of the detention officials (the Coast Guard officials other than chief detention officers engaged in detention business, hereinafter the same), those designated by the head of the Coast Guard Office, etc. (hereinafter referred to “persons in charge of detention”) shall direct and supervise other detention officials under the command of the chief detention officer.

Japan Coast Guard Law

Article 33

Matters other than those provided by this Law, concerning classification of the personnel of the Japan Coast Guard, their functions, and other necessary matters concerning the personnel of the Japan Coast Guard shall be provided by the Cabinet Order.

Coast Guard Law Enforcement Ordinance

Article 6

1.A chief inspector shall be stationed in the Coast Guard pursuant to the provision of Article 33 (government ordinance authorization).

2.The chief inspector, with orders from his superior, shall inspect any act of breach by Coast Guard officials and the actual conditions of administrative affairs under his/her jurisdiction.

Regulations for Coast Guard organization

Article 2 ‑5

1.An inspection official shall be posted under the chief inspection officer.

2.The inspection official shall conduct, with orders from the chief inspection officer, the business concerning inspection of any act of breach by Coast Guard officials and the actual conditions of administrative affairs under his/her jurisdiction.

(Reference to paragraphs 112‑113)

Annex X

JAPAN LEGISLATION IN RELATION TO ARTICLE 12 OF THE CONVENTION AGAINST TORTURE

The Code of Criminal Procedure

Article 189

1.A police official shall perform his duties as a judicial police official as authorized by law, or regulations of the National Public Safety Commission or of the Prefectural Public Safety Commission.

2.A judicial police official shall, when he deems an offence has been committed, investigate the offender and evidence thereof.

Article 190

Those who are to exercise the functions of judicial police officials in regard to forestry, railways or other special matters, and the scope of their functions shall be provided by other laws.

Article 191

A public prosecutor may, if he deems necessary, investigate an offence himself.

Article 246

Except as otherwise provided in this Law when a judicial police official has conducted the investigation of a crime he shall send the case together with the documents and pieces of evidence to a public prosecutor. However, this shall not apply to the case which is specially designated by a public prosecutor.

(Reference to paragraphs 114‑115)

The Emergency Measures Act for Designation of Judicial Police Officers

Article 1

Regarding the person who shall execute the duties as a judicial police officer concerning forestry, railways and other specific matters; the scope of the duties shall be in accordance with the provision in the Ordinance for the Designation of Judicial Police Officers and Those Who Shall Perform the Duties of Judicial Police Officers (Imperial Order No. 528 of 1923) for the time being unless otherwise prescribed specifically in other laws.

Ordinance for the Designation of Judicial Police Officers and Those Who Shall Perform the Duties of Judicial Police Officers

Article 2

The prison warden or a warden of a branch prison shall execute the duty of a judicial police officer provided for in Article 248 of the Code of Criminal Procedure regarding the offences committed in the prison or in a branch prison.

Article 3

A person listed below who is appointed by the discussion between the director and the chief public prosecutor of the district court which has jurisdiction over the area the governmental office is located shall perform the duty of the judicial police officer provided for in Article 248 of the Code of Criminal Procedure if he/she is listed in (i) to (viii) of the list and the duty of judicial police if he/she is listed in (ix) to (xiv) of the list.

(a)Official of an external prison who is a second‑grade or third‑grade official of the Ministry of Justice except a warden of prison, a warden of branch prison, and a guard;

(b)Guard who is an official of the Ministry of Justice.

Article 4

The scope of the duty of the person who performs the duties of the judicial public officer pursuant to the preceding article is limited to the duties concerning the following offences:

(a)The offences in the prison or in a branch prison by the person prescribed in Item 3 and Item 11 of the preceding article.

(Reference to paragraphs 116‑117)

Japan Coast Guard Law

Article 31

In regard to crimes committed at sea, a Coast Guard officer and an assistant Coast Guard officer shall, as fixed by the Commandant of the Japan Coast Guard, perform the duties of a judicial police official as provided by the Code of Criminal Procedure (Law No. 131 of 1948).

(Reference to paragraph 118)

Self ‑Defense Forces Law

Article 96

1.Among the Self‑Defense officials, those that perform full‑time the duties of maintaining order within departments shall perform the duties of judicial police officials prescribed in the Code of Criminal Procedure (Law No. 131 of 1948) regarding the following offences in accordance with the laws and ordinances unless otherwise provided for in the laws and ordinances.

(a)Offences committed by a Self‑Defense official, by a member other than an official of the Ground Self‑Defense Force staff office, the Maritime Self‑Defense Force staff office, the Air Self‑Defense Force staff office, of a unit, by a student, by a Self‑Defense reserve or an immediate Self‑Defense reserve (“sokuou”) who is on a training call, by an assistant Self‑Defense official who is on a training call (hereinafter referred to as “member”), offences against a member or members of Self‑Defense Forces on duty, and offences committed by a person other than the members of Self‑Defense Forces regarding the duty of the members;

(b)Offences committed on sea vessels, in office buildings, residential quarters or other facilities used by the Self‑Defense Forces;

(c)Offences against the facilities or properties owned or used by the Self‑Defense Forces.

(The rest omitted)

(Reference to paragraphs 119‑129)

Guidelines for Investigation and Resolution of Human Rights Infringement Cases

Article 2

The purpose of investigation and resolution of the case suspected as a human rights infringement is to give relief and to prevent it by taking measures to assist and conciliate the parties concerned, or by confirming the fact of human rights infringement and taking appropriate measures depending on the result of the confirmation, and by encouraging the parties concerned to improve their understanding on the principle of respecting human rights (hereinafter referred to as “encouragement”).

Article 8

1.The Director of Legal Affairs Bureau or the director of District Legal Affairs Bureau shall, when required to take measures to give relief or to prevent human rights infringement by receiving an application from a victim, a victim’s attorney, or related parties such as relatives (hereinafter referred to as “victims, etc.”) which insist that the person suffered damage or might suffer damage from a human rights infringement, conduct necessary investigation without delay and take appropriate measures unless it is considered inappropriate to handle the applied case at the Legal Affairs Bureau or the District Legal Affairs Bureau.

2.When the Director of Legal Affairs Bureau or the director of District Legal Affairs Bureau comes into contact with a fact which is considered necessary to start investigation as human rights infringement case in accordance with a notice or information from a Human Rights Volunteer or related administrative organ, he or she shall conduct necessary investigation without delay and take appropriate measures if he or she considers it appropriate in the light of the purpose provided in Article 2.

Article 14

1.The Director of Legal Affairs Bureau or the director of District Legal Affairs Bureau shall, when he or she confirms the fact of human rights infringement as a result of the investigation of the case, take measures provided in each item of the preceding article or in the following:

(a)To request the person who is capable of taking effective measures regarding the relief or prevention of the damages by human rights infringement to take necessary measures (request);

(b)To instruct the fact and reason to the opposite party in order to urge them to reflect what they did and to take adequate measures (instruction);

(c)To make necessary recommendation in writing to the opposite party by specifying the fact of human rights infringement, in order to stop the human rights infringement or to prevent him or her from recommitting a similar human infringement (recommendation);

(d)To inform the fact of human rights infringement to related administrative organs and to request them to exercise appropriate measures in writing (warning);

(e)To make an accusation in writing in accordance with the provision of the Code of Criminal Procedure (Law No. 131 of 1948) (Accusation).

(The rest omitted)

(Reference to paragraphs 130‑132)

Annex XI

JAPAN LEGISLATION IN RELATION TO ARTICLE 14 OF THE CONVENTION AGAINST TORTURE

The Code of Criminal Procedure

Article 230

A person who has been injured by an offence may file a complaint.

Article 262

1.If, in a case with respect to which complaint or accusation is made concerning the offences mentioned in Articles 193 to 196 of the Penal Code Article 45 of the Subversive Activities Prevention Act (Law No. 240 of 1952) or Articles 42 to 43 of the Act Regarding the Control of Organizations Which Committed Indiscriminate Mass Murder (Law No. 147 of 1999), the complainant or accuser is dissatisfied with the disposition made by a public prosecutor not to prosecute, he may apply to a District Court having jurisdiction over the place of the public prosecutors office to which that public prosecutor belongs for committing the case to a court for trial.

2.The application mentioned in the preceding paragraph shall be made by submitting a written application to a public prosecutor within seven days from the day on which the notification stipulated in Article 260 was received.

Law for the Inquest of Prosecution

Article 2

1.The Committee for the Inquest of Prosecution shall, when receiving a claim from a person who made complaint or accusation, from a person who filed a request of a case to be accepted upon request, or from a person who suffered damage by an offence (in case the person who suffered damage died, the spouse, a lineal relative, brother or sister of the person), conduct the examination provided for in Item 1 of the preceding paragraph.

Article 30

1.The person prescribed in Article 2, Paragraph 2 may, when dissatisfied with the public prosecutor’s disposition of not to institute public prosecution, request the Committee for the Inquest of Prosecution having jurisdiction over the place of the public prosecutor’s office to which the said public prosecutor belongs, to review the propriety of the said disposition. This provision shall not apply, however, to the case provided for in Article 16, Item 4 of the Court Organization Law and the case regarding violation of the Act concerning Prohibition of Private Monopoly and Maintenance of Fair Trade.

Habeas Corpus Act

Article 2

1.Any person whose liberty of person is under restraint without due process of law may apply for relief pursuant to the provisions of this Act.

2.Any person may make the application mentioned in the preceding paragraph on behalf of the person restrained.

Article 4

The application mentioned in Article 2 may be made, either in writing or by word of month, to the High Court or District Court having jurisdiction over the locality in which the person restrained, the person putting him under restraint, or the applicant is found or resides.

(Reference to paragraphs 130‑133)

The Rules for Detaining Suspects

Article 19

A guard shall, when detainee makes request regarding his treatment, selection of defense counsel, etc., forthwith report it to the detention chief, and cause necessary measures to be taken.

(Reference to paragraph 133)

The Prison Law

Article 7

If an inmate is dissatisfied with the disposition of the prison, he may petition the competent minister or a visiting inspector in accordance with the provisions of the ordinances by the Ministry of Justice.

Prison Law Enforcement Regulation

Article 9

1.The warden shall grant an interview to an inmate who makes a petition to him regarding the treatment of in the prison or his personal affairs.

2.In case an inmate offers to make a petition to the warden according to the preceding paragraph, his name shall be entered in the interview book. After having an interview with an inmate in the order of the name listed, the warden shall write the summary of his opinion given to the inmate in the interview book.

(Reference to paragraphs 134‑139)

Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act

Article 61 ‑3 ‑2

1.The duties of an Immigration Control Officer shall be as follows:

(a)To conduct investigations with regard to cases of violation of the provisions of laws and ordinances relating to entry, landing, or residence;

(b)To detain, escort, and send back those persons who are subject to execution of written detention orders or deportation order;

(c)To guard Immigration Centers, detention houses, or any other facility.

Regulations for Treatment of Detainees

Article 2 ‑2

The director, etc., (the Directors of Immigration Center and of Regional Immigration Bureaus) shall expect to ensure the appropriate treatments of detainees by hearing the opinions from the detainees concerning their treatments, patrolling the Immigration Centers, etc. and taking other measures.

Article 37

The director, etc. shall, upon censoring letters a detainee intends to send and finding that there is a part which hinders the security of the Immigration Center, notify it to the detainee and have him correct it or delete it before sending it. If the detainee does not follow the instruction, the letter shall be retained. (The rest is omitted.)

Article 41 ‑2

1.A detainee may, when he/she is dissatisfied with the treatment of him by an Immigration Control Officer, may file a complaint to the director, etc. in writing by stating the ground for the complaint within seven days from the date of the treatment was made.

2.The director, etc. shall, when the filing is made pursuant to the preceding paragraph, conduct the necessary investigation immediately, judge within fourteen days after the day the filing was made whether or not the complaint is well‑grounded, and notify the result in writing to the person who filed the complaint pursuant to the preceding paragraph (hereinafter referred to as “complainant”). However, if the complainant has been released before receiving the notification, director, etc. may send the notice within fourteen days after the day the filing was made to the address the person informed the director, etc. as the place of residence or place to contact after the release.

3.In the notice provided for in the preceding paragraph, it shall be written when the complainant is still in the center that a demurral may be made pursuant to paragraph 1 of the following article.

Article 41

1.A detainee who is dissatisfied with the disposition under the Paragraph 2 of the preceding article may file an objection with the Minister of Justice by submitting a document stating the ground for the complaint to the director, etc. within three days after the date he/she received the notification under the provision of the same paragraph.

2.The director, etc. shall, when the demurral is made pursuant to the preceding paragraph, send the said petition of the demurral and the documents concerning the investigation of the Paragraph 2 of the preceding article immediately to the Minister of Justice.

3.The Minister of Justice shall, when the demurral is made pursuant to the preceding paragraph, judge immediately whether or not the demurral is well‑grounded, and notify it in writing to the person who made the demurral (hereinafter referred to as “demurrer”) via the director, etc. However, if the demurrer has been released before receiving the notification, it may be sent to the address the person informed the director, etc. as the place of residence or place to contact after the release.

(Reference to paragraphs 140‑142)

The Law Concerning the Prevention of Infections and Medical Care for Patients of Infection

Article 22

1.It is confirmed that a patient hospitalized pursuant to the provisions of Article 19 or Article 20 does not have the pathogen of the category 1 infection for which such patient was hospitalized, the prefectural governor shall discharge said patient from hospital.

2.The patient who has been hospitalized pursuant to the provisions of Article 19 or Article 20, or the parent of such patient may file a request for discharge form the hospital with the prefectural governor.

The Quarantine Law

Article 15bis

1.The chief of the quarantine station who has implemented any of the procedures provided in the preceding paragraph shall discontinue isolation immediately after it is confirmed that any patient of any of the infectious diseases specified in Article 2 item(1) does not have the causative agent of the quarantinable disease for which such patient was isolated, or that the patient does not have the causative agent or the symptoms of cholera have disappeared in the case of a cholera patient.

2.The person who is being isolated pursuant to the provisions of paragraph 1 item (1) of the preceding article (Note: Refer to the end of K.(d)) or the parent of such person (hereinafter referring to the person in parental authority or the guardian) may request the chief of the quarantine station to release such person from isolation.

Article 16

1.The stoppage provided in Article 14, Paragraph 1, Item 2, shall be implemented, by setting the period of time, in the form of hospitalization that is consigned to a designated medical institution for special infectious disease or a designated medical institution for Infectious Disease ‑ Type I. When there is an unavoidable reason such as an emergency, the hospitalization may be consigned to a hospital or a medical clinic that the director of the quarantine station judges as appropriate other than the designated medical institution for special infectious disease or a designated medical institution for Infectious Disease ‑ Type I, or such persons, with the consent of the captain of the vessel, may be locked within the vessel.

(The middle omitted)

2.When the director took the measure provided for in Paragraph 1, the director of quarantine shall forthwith release the suspension of the said person when it is confirmed that the said person does not have the pathogens of the infectious disease for the said stoppage.

(The middle omitted)

3.The person kept pursuant to the provision of Article 14, Paragraph 1, Item 2, or his/her guardian may request the director of quarantine to release the person from the stoppage.

(Reference to paragraphs 143‑144)

The Penal Code

Article 105bis

A person who in relation to the person’s own or another’s criminal cases, forcibly demands without justifying reason an interview with any person, or intimidates any person deemed to have knowledge necessary for investigation or trial of such case, or the person’s relative, shall be punished byimprisonment with appointed work for not more than 1 year or a fine of not more than 200,000 yen.

Article 208

When a person uses physical violence against another without bodily injury, imprisonment with appointed work for not more than 2 years, a fine of not more than 300,000 yen, minor penal detention or a minor fine shall be imposed.

Article 222

1.A person who intimidates another through the threat to the another’s life, body, freedom, fame or property, shall be punished by imprisonment with appointed work for not more than 2 years or a fine of not more than 300,000 yen.

2.The same shall apply to a person who intimidates another through the threat to the life, body, freedom, fame or property of the another’s relative.

The Code of Criminal Procedure

Article 89

The request for bail shall be granted, except when:

(The middle omitted)

(a)There is a reasonable cause to suspect that the accused may harm the body or property of the victim or any other person who is deemed to have knowledge necessary for the trial of the case, or his/her relatives, or threat them.

(The rest omitted)

Article 157 ‑2

1.In the examination of a witness, when it is deemed that the witness may feel the considerable anxiety or tension in the light of his/her age, mental or physical situation or other circumstances, the court may, after hearing the opinions of the public prosecutor and the accused or his/her counsel, allow a person who is deemed to be appropriate to relieving such anxiety or tension to accompany the witness during the examination unless it is feared that such person may disturb the examination by a judge or other party concerned or the testimony by the witness, or that such person may give inappropriate influence on the statement.

2.The person who is allowed to accompany the witness in accordance with the preceding paragraph shall not behave during the testimony in the manner which may disturb the examination by a judge or other party concerned or the testimony by the witness or may give an inappropriate influence on the statement.

Article 157 ‑3

1.In the examination of a witness, when it is deemed that the witness would feel pressure and his/her peace of mind would be seriously harmed while testifying in the presence of the accused (including the case under the method provided in the Paragraph 1 of the following article), due to the nature of the alleged crime, his/her age, mental or physical situation, relationship with the accused or other circumstances, and when it is deemed appropriate, the court may, after hearing the opinions of the public prosecutor and the accused or his/her counsel, take measures to prevent the accused and the witness from recognizing the state of others either from one side or from both sides. However, the measures to prevent the accused from recognizing the state of the witness may be taken only when the counsel is present.

2.In the examination of a witness, when it is deemed appropriate in the light of the nature of the crime, his/her age, mental or physical situation, effects upon his/her reputation or other circumstances, the court may, after hearing the opinions of the public prosecutor and the accused or his/her counsel, take measures to prevent the galleries and the witness from recognizing the state of each other.

Article 157 ‑4

1.In the examination of a witness stipulated in the following sub‑paragraphs, when it is deemed appropriate, the court may, after hearing the opinions of the public prosecutor and the accused or his/her counsel, have the witness be present in a place other than where the judge or other parties concerned are present (but within the same premises), and examine the witness by using devices that allows communications, while recognizing the state of each other by transmitting the picture and sound:

(a)The victim of crimes or attempts of crimes provided in Article 176 to 178, 181, 225 (limited to the case under the purpose of obscenity or marriage; the same shall apply in this sub‑paragraph hereafter), Paragraph 1 (limited to the case under the purpose of aiding the person who commits the crime provided in Article 225) or 3 (limited to the case under the purpose of obscenity) of Article 227, or the first part of 241 of Penal Code;

(b)The victim of crimes provided in Paragraph 1 of Article 60 or Paragraph 2 of Article 60 on Sub‑paragraph 9, Paragraph 1 of Article 34 of Child Welfare Law (Law No. 164, 1947), or Article 4 to 8 of Law for Punishing Acts Related to Child Prostitution and Child Pornography, and for Protecting Children (Law No. 512, 1999);

(c)In addition to those as stipulated in the preceding two sub‑paragraphs, the person who is deemed, due to the nature of the crime, hiss/her age, mental or physical situation, the relationship with the accused, or other circumstances, feel pressure and whose peace of mind be seriously harmed while testifying at the place where the judge and the other party concerned are present.

2.In the examination of a witness by the measure as stipulated in the preceding paragraph, the court may, when it is considered that the witness will be requested to testify the same fact again in the criminal procedure which may be held afterward and when the witness consents, record the examination and the testimony in the recordable‑media (It means material that is able to record the picture and the sound simultaneously. The same shall apply hereinafter.) after hearing the opinions of the public prosecutor and the accused or his/her counsel.

3.The recordable‑media in which the witness examination, the testimony and those situations are recorded in accordance with the preceding paragraph shall be attached to the trial record as part of the minutes.

Law on the Benefits for Damages of Witnesses, etc.

Article 3

If a witness, an official state counsel, or a spouse of any of them (including a person who is in a de facto marriage relationship regardless of marriage registration), lineal consanguinity or a relative living together (hereinafter referred to as “witness, etc.,”) suffered damage to his/her life or body by another person or persons due to the fact that the witness, etc. gave a statement (including statements made in writing in the case of a witness, hereinafter the same), appeared, or intended to appear to give a statement to the court, to a judge, or to the investigative organ regarding a criminal case, or due to the fact that the official state counsel conducted or intended to conduct his/her duty, the State shall make the payment of the benefits to the victim and others in accordance with the provision of this law.

National Public Service Law

Article 82

When he/she falls under one of the following cases, an employee may, as disciplinary punishment, be dismissed, suspended from duty, suffer reduction in pay or administration of a reprimand:

(a)When he/she has acted contrary to this law, the National Public Service Ethics Law, or orders issued thereunder;

(b)When he/she breached official responsibilities or neglected duties;

(c)When he/she committed misconduct not suitable as a servant of the entire people.

(The rest omitted)

Local Public Service Law

Article 29

When an official falls under any of the following items, the local municipal entity may give the said official disposition such as reprimand, wage cut, suspension from duty or discharge:

(a)When the official violates this law, or laws prescribing special cases provided in Article 57 (Note: The Special Law for Educational Public Officers, etc.) or ordinances based on the said laws, regulations of local municipal entities, or rules of organs of local municipal entity;

(b)When the official violates or neglects the official duties;

(c)When the official did misconduct not suitable for a public servant of the nation.

(Reference to paragraphs 145‑148)

Annex XII

JAPAN LEGISLATION IN RELATION TO ARTICLE 14 OF THE CONVENTION AGAINST TORTURE

State Redress Law

Article 1

When a governmental official who is in a position to wield governmental powers of the State or of a public entity has, in the course of performing his duties, illegally inflicted losses upon another person either intentionally or negligently, the State or the public entity concerned shall be liable to compensate such losses.

Article 6

When a victim is a foreign national, this law is applied only when there is the guarantee of reciprocity.

The Civil Code of Japan

Article 709

A person who violates intentionally or negligently the right of another is bound to make compensation for damage arising therefrom.

Article 715

A person who employs another to carry out an undertaking is bound to make compensation for damage done to a third person by the employee in the course of the execution of the undertaking; however, this shall not apply, if the employer has exercised due care in the appointment of the employee and in the supervision of the undertaking or if the damage would have ensued even if due care had been exercised.

Article 896

A successor succeeds, as from the time of the opening of the succession, to all the rights and duties pertaining to the property of the person succeeded to; excepting, however, such as are entirely personal to that person.

The Crime Victims Benefit Payment Law

Article 3

The State shall, when there is a person who is damaged by an offence (hereinafter referred to as “a victim”), provide the “benefits for criminal victims” to a criminal victim or the bereaved family member (Among these persons, a person who did not have Japanese nationality and did not have the residence in Japan at the time when the offence that caused the said damage took place is excluded.) according to the prescription of this law.

(Reference to paragraphs 149‑155)

Annex XIII

JAPANESE LEGISLATION IN RELATION TO ARTICLE 15 OF THE CONVENTION AGAINST TORTURE

The Constitution of Japan

Article 38bis

Confession made under compulsion, torture or threat, or after prolonged arrest or detention cannot be used as evidence.

The Code of Criminal Procedure

Article 319

1.Confession made under compulsion, torture or threat, or after prolonged arrest or detention, or which is suspected not to have been made voluntarily shall not be admitted in evidence.

2.The accused shall not be convicted in cases where his own confession, whether made in open court or not, is the only proof against him.

3.Confession mentioned in the preceding two paragraphs includes any admission of the accused which acknowledges himself to be guilty of the offence charged.

Article 325

Even when a document or statement is admissible as evidence in accordance with Articles 321 to 324, it shall not be used as evidence by the court, unless it believes after investigation that the statement described in the document or the statement of a person contained in oral statement by another on the date either for the preparation for public trial or for the public trial has been made voluntarily.

Article 326

1.Despite Articles 321 to 325, any document or statement may be used as evidence only when a public prosecutor and the accused give consent thereto and the court finds it proper after considering the circumstances under which the document of statement was obtained.

2.In cases where examination of evidences may be carried out in spite of non‑attendance of the accused and the accused does not appear, he shall be deemed to have given the consent mentioned in the preceding paragraph. However, this shall not apply where his proxy or defense counsel appears for him.

(Reference to paragraphs 156‑160)

Annex XIV

JAPAN LEGISLATION NOT RELATED TO ANY SPECIFIC ARTICLE OF THE CONVENTION AGAINST TORTURE

The Code of Criminal Procedure

Article 64 ‑1

A warrant of bringing to the court or detention shall contain the name and domicile of the accused; the name of offence; the substance of the prosecuted offence; the place where to bring him/her or the prison where to detain him/her; effective period and a statement that the warrant shall not be executed after such period and shall be returned to the court; the date of issue; other matters as stipulated in the rules of the courts as well as the name seal of the presiding judge or the commissioned judge.

Article 203 ‑1

When a judicial police officer has arrested a suspect upon a warrant of arrest or received a suspect who was arrested upon a warrant of arrest, he shall immediately inform him of the essential facts of crime and the fact that he is entitled to select a defense counsel, and then, giving him an opportunity for explanation, he shall immediately release the suspect when he believes there is no need to detain him, or take steps to transfer the suspect together with the documents and evidence to a public prosecutor within 48 hours after the person of the suspect was subjected to restraints, when he believes it necessary to detain him.

The Prison Law

Article 1 ‑3

The police jail may be substituted for a prison; provided that a convicted person sentenced to imprisonment at forced labor or imprisonment without forced labor shall not be detained therein continuously for one month or more.

(Reference to paragraphs 161‑167)

Juvenile Law

(Mitigation of Death Penalty and Penalty for Life)

Article 51

In case a person who is under 18 years of age at the time of his commission of an offence is to be punished with death penalty, the person shall be sentenced to penalty for life.

The Code of Criminal Procedure

Article 479

1.If a person condemned to death is in a state of insanity, the execution shall be stayed by order of the Minister of Justice.

2.If a woman condemned to death is pregnant the execution shall be stayed by order of the Minister of Justice.

3.When the execution of the death penalty has been stayed under the provision of the preceding two paragraphs, the penalty shall not be executed unless an order is given by the Minister of Justice subsequent to recovery from the state of insanity or delivery.

(The rest omitted)

(Reference to paragraphs 168‑173)

The Prison Law

Article 15

The prison inmate may be placed in solitary confinement, except if he is deemed unfit for such treatment because of his mental or physical condition.

Article 19

In case there is a fear of escape of an inmate or of his committing violence or suicide, or in case an inmate is outside the prison, instruments of restraint may be used.

The Prison Law Enforcement Regulations

Article 47

Prisoners considered necessary to be isolated from others for security shall be placed under solitary confinement.

Article 48

The instruments of restraint shall be of the following four kinds:

(a)Straight Jacket;

(b)Gag;

(c)Handcuff;

(d)Arresting rope.

Article 49

1.No restraining devices shall be used without the order of the warden, provided that this shall not apply in case of emergency.

2.In the case of the proviso to the preceding paragraph, the use of devices shall immediately be reported to the warden.

(Reference to paragraphs 174‑178)

Regulations for Treatment of Detainees

Article 18

1.When a detainee commits an act that falls under any one of the following items or attempts to do so, or colludes, incites, abets, or assists such an act, the director, etc. may isolate the detainee from other detainees for a determined period. In such case, however, the director, etc. shall immediately cease the isolation when it became unnecessary regardless of the determined period:

(a)To escape, commit an act of violence, damage property, or commit any other acts that violate punitive laws and orders;

(b)To rebel against or obstruct execution of duties by an official;

(c)To commit suicide or harm oneself.

2.In a case prescribed in the preceding paragraph, when there is no time to get the order of the director, etc., an Immigration Control Officer may isolate the detainee from other detainees on his/her own judgment.

3.In case of implementing the isolation prescribed in the preceding paragraph, the Immigration Control Officer shall immediately report it to the director, etc.

(Reference to paragraphs 179‑183)

Regulations for Treatment of Detainees

Article 19

4.The director, etc. (Director of the Immigration Center or of a Regional Immigration Bureau) may give an order to an Immigration Control Officer to use to the minimum necessary extent a restraining device on an inmate who might commit any of the following acts when it is considered that there is no other way to prevent such attempt. When there is no time to get the order of the director, etc., an Immigration Control Officer may make a decision himself to use a restraining device:

(a)To escape;

(b)To harm himself/herself or others;

(c)To damage the facilities, equipment, and other articles in the Immigration Center, etc.

(Reference to paragraph 184)

Article 20

1.The restraining devices shall be the following four types:

(a)Type I handcuff;

(b)Type II handcuff;

(c)Type I arresting rope;

(d)Type II arresting rope.

The Prison Law

Article 15

The prison inmate may be placed in solitary confinement, except if he is deemed unfit for such treatment because of his mental or physical condition.

The Prison Law Enforcement Regulation

Article 47

Prisoners considered necessary to be isolated from others for security shall be placed under solitary confinement.

Article 27

The period of solitary confinement shall not exceed 6 months; provided that in case its special extension is required, the renewal of the period may be effected every 3 months.

(Reference to paragraph 185‑186)

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