Crime Trends of Japan in 2023: Statistical Results on the Main Types of Crimes and Perpetrators

• In Event: Lightning Talk: International and Comparative Criminology

Abstract

　We, the Research and Training Institute of the Ministry of Justice in Japan, publish the annual White Papers on Crime every year, which provide statistics on crimes and the treatment of offenders, as well as current issues in the field of criminal justice. This presentation will focus on the White Paper on Crime of 2024 and introduce the trends of crimes in Japan in 2023, focusing on the types of crimes that require special attention. Although reported and cleared cases of Penal Code offenses had decreased for about 20 years, the White Paper on Crime shows that those number increased compared to 2022, and the types of crimes such as sexual violence, cannabis control act violation, cybercrimes and “special frauds” have increased. The report found that juvenile delinquency and crimes committed by foreigners are also on the rise. One of the reasons for the increase may be that the pandemic of COVID-19 has subsided, so the flow of people are increasing. The crime situation in Japan remains unpredictable, so further research, analysis and other studies will be necessary in order to contribute to effective criminal justice policy planning.

Author

• Takara Ueno, The Research and Training Institute of the Ministry of Justice in Japan