on 20 – 26 July

The 10th Comparative Study on Criminal Justice Systems of Japan and Nepal has successfully concluded.

 From 20 to 26 July 2023, UNAFEI conducted the 10th Comparative Study on Criminal Justice Systems of Japan and Nepal (hereinafter “the programme”). 12 participants (from the Office of the Attorney General, the Supreme Court of Nepal, the Police and the National Judicial Academy) attended the programme. The objectives of the programme were to study challenges and solutions of the implementation of the new Criminal Procedure Code in Nepal that was enacted in 2018 compared to Japanese law and practice. The participants made presentations on challenges and solutions of the implementation. Professors of UNAFEI and the International Cooperation Department (ICD) made lectures about Japanese law and practice that related to the new systems that were introduced by the code. The participants visited a halfway house (Offenders Rehabilitation Facility).
 We hope that the programme was beneficial for the participants and will be beneficial for the implementation of the new Criminal Procedure Code in Nepal.

	Presentation by Nepali experts		Discussion

	Visiting Kunitachi Anryu, Halfway House		Closing

On 19 – 20 July

On-site workshop for Correctional Officials in Timor-Leste

　On July 19 and 20, 2023, UNAFEI co-hosted a local workshop with the UNODC Bangkok office for about 20 correction officials in Timor-Leste. Mr. Morita, director of the Prison Service Division, Correction Bureau, Ministry of Justice, lectured on the management of Japanese penal institutions and the treatment of offenders. In addition, UNAFEI Professor Kida lectured on, and supervised group work aimed at, introducing guidance on violence prevention in Timor-Leste, and the participants engaged in lively discussions.
　Prior to the workshop, the delegation from Japan paid a courtesy call to Minister of Justice Mr. Amândio Benevides and visited a local prison. Moreover, two architects from the Facilities Division, Minister's Secretariat, Ministry of Justice of Japan presented on the construction of correctional facilities.
　UNAFEI will continue to provide technical assistance on the operation of correctional facilities by the Ministry of Justice of Timor-Leste and on the enhancement of offender treatment.

	Courtesy Call on Minister of Justice of Timor-Leste

	Meeting between Minister of Justice Benevides and UNAFEI Deputy Director Irie		Presentation on the construction of correctional facilities

	Lecture by Mr. Morita		Group Work

	Group Photo with Workshop Participants		Visit to Becora Prison

On 6 – 7 July

UNAFEI’s Contribution to the Ministerial Forum on Justice Affairs Diplomacy

　From July 6 to 7, 2023, the Ministry of Justice of Japan hosted the Ministerial Forum on Justice Affairs Diplomacy at the Hotel New-Otani Tokyo. Three ministerial-level meetings were held at the Forum: the ASEAN-Japan Special Meetings of Justice Ministers, the ASEAN-G7 Justice Ministers' Special Dialogue and the ASEAN-G7 Justice Ministers’ Interface. Related events included the ASEAN-Japan Special Youth Forum and other special events and exhibitions were held to disseminate the Ministry of Justice's policies and activities. UNAFEI was involved with the following events at the Forum:

(1) Symposium Hosted by UNAFEI: A Comparative Approach to a Culture of Lawfulness
　On July 6, UNAFEI held a special event, a symposium on “A Comparative Approach to a Culture of Lawfulness (CoL)”. UNAFEI Director Taro Morinaga gave an introductory speech and Professor Hiroshi Matsuo of Keio University's Graduate School of Law delivered a keynote speech, followed by presentations by ten panellists in two panels. The panellists were practitioners in the field of criminal justice from ASEAN countries, Timor-Leste and Japan.
　The theme of Panel 1 was “Civil Society Engagement in Fostering a CoL” in which presentations were made on examples of citizen participation in the criminal justice system and efforts to instil a CoL in local communities, with a view to fostering public trust and understanding of the criminal justice system.
　The theme of Panel 2 was “Institutional Development and Training of Practitioners to Foster a CoL”. Panellists presented on how institutions have worked to improve access to justice and make it more inclusive, and what efforts have been made to increase public trust in the law, the legal system, and law enforcement agencies.
　After the symposium, the panellists and UNAFEI professors held a plenary discussion at UNAFEI on July 10. They exchanged insights cultural differences and shared values in light of the speeches and presentations at the symposium, and acknowledged the importance of promoting a CoL.

Speakers and panellists

Keynote Speech by Prof. Matsuo

(2) UNAFEI took part in the ASEAN-Japan Special Youth Forum
　UNAFEI professors participated as expert advisors in the ASEAN-Japan Special Youth Forum for Promoting the Rule of Law on July 5 and 6, which was jointly organized by the Ministry of Justice of Japan and the Thailand Institute of Justice. The Youth Forum brought together about 70 youth participants from ASEAN countries, Timor-Leste and Japan for a passionate discussion on the rule of law in the digital era under the theme “Building Justice Literacy for Enhanced Access to Justice”.
　The two-day discussion resulted in a set of recommendations, which were presented to the Minister of Justice of Japan, Mr. SAITO Ken, one of the co-chairs of the ASEAN-Japan Special Meeting of Justice Ministers, and will be also presented at the intersessional meeting of the UN Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice to be held in September this year.

Youth participants and expert advisors smiling after the discussion.

UNAFEI professors joined the youth participants in thinking about the potential of access to justice in the future society. Despite some difficulty with the latest digital terminology, the discussions among youth participants from diverse backgrounds and values were very interesting and productive during the two days.

Director Morinaga also interacted with the youth participants at a luncheon held on July 5.

(3) Special Event “Technical Assistance in Community-based Treatment of Offenders in the Past, Present and Future” co-hosted by the Rehabilitation Bureau of the Ministry of Justice and UNAFEI
　 On July 7, the Rehabilitation Bureau of the Ministry of Justice and UNAFEI held the special event “Technical Assistance in Community-based Treatment of Offenders in the Past, Present and Future.”
　Speakers from Cambodia, the Philippines, Thailand and Japan delivered presentations on technical assistance in the ASEAN region and shared their experience and knowledge. They also confirmed they have enhanced mutual understanding by building stronger ties and cooperative relationships with and among ASEAN countries. We hope for further development of the community corrections systems and practices in each country through the sharing of good practices.

Opening Remarks by Director Morinaga

Presentations by speakers

(4) ASEAN-Japan Special Meeting of Justice Ministers, Plenary Session 2
　Plenary session 2 of the ASEAN-Japan Special Meeting of Justice Ministers was convened on July 6, 2023. In Plenary Session 2, the Meeting endorsed the ASEAN-Japan Work Plan on Law and Justice. International organizations presented the resources they can provide for the implementation of the Work Plan. UNAFEI introduced its past activities and presented a plan to launch a new training course for ASEAN member states in 2024, together with JICA, as a step toward the implementation of the Joint Statement of the ASEAN-Japan Special Meeting of Justice Ministers and the Work Plan. UNAFEI looks forward to implementing the work plan hand-in-hand with ASEAN member states through this training course.

Presentation by Deputy Director Irie

on 8 - 15 June

The Malaysia and the Philippines Joint Study Tour to Japan on Community Corrections has successfully concluded.

　From 8 to 17 June 2023, in collaboration with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), UNAFEI conducted the “Malaysia and the Philippines Joint Study Tour to Japan on Community Corrections.”
　A total of 14 participants (7 from Malaysia and 7 from the Philippines) attended the programme. The objectives of the study tour included deepening the understanding of theories and practices related to offender rehabilitation, and collaboration with community volunteers such as hogoshi. They participated in several lectures, such as one delivered by Dr. Raymund E. Narag, Associate Professor at the Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice, Southern Illinois University Carbondale. They also visited a probation office and an offender rehabilitation support centre.
　We hope that what the participants learned during the study tour in Japan will be beneficial for the development of the community corrections systems and practices in Malaysia and the Philippines.

	Lecture by Dr. Narag		Presentation by Malaysia

	Presentation by the Philippines		Visiting a hogoshi’s home (Souji-temple)

	Visiting Offender Rehabilitation Support Centre Hino/Tama/Inagi

on 8 June

The 181st International Training Course concluded.

	Opening Remarks by UNAFEI Director		Individual Presentation

	Group Workshop (Discussion)		Group Workshop (Plenary Presentation)

	Group photo

The 181st International Training Course has successfully concluded.

Announcement

　UNAFEI will hold a symposium on a "Comparative Approach to a Culture of Lawfulness" as a special event of the ASEAN-Japan Special Legal Affairs Ministers' Meeting on Thursday, 6 July 2023, both at the venue and online. The event will feature a keynote speech delivered by Professor Hiroshi Matsuo from Keio University. Based on this speech, panellists representing ASEAN member countries and other participants will share insights into their respective countries' current legal compliance cultures and the challenges they face in promoting such cultures. The subsequent discussion will focus on finding solutions to address these issues. We look forward to your active participation. Pre-registration is required to attend this symposium. Please see the flyer for details.

on 7 - 8 June

The Japanese session of the TIJ Executive Programme on the Implementation of International Standards and Norms in Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice has successfully concluded.

　On 7 and 8 June 2023, UNAFEI conducted the Japan session of the “TIJ Executive Programme on the Implementation of International Standards and Norms in Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice” organized by the Thailand Institute of Justice (TIJ). This programme is designed to deepen understanding of international standards and norms in crime prevention and criminal justice for executive practitioners from various fields, such as government officials, business people and researchers. The Japan session was held to provide the participants with opportunities to learn about Japanese practice.
　A total of 36 participants came to Japan, and on the first day they visited a halfway house and a prison to learn about the actual operation of facilities and rehabilitation of offenders in Japan. In the morning of the second day, Dr. TOI Hiroki, Associate Professor at the Department of Social Welfare Studies, Faculty of Design for Welfare Society, Toyo University, gave a lecture on recidivism prevention plans, and the people involved in the Akishima City Recidivism Prevention Plan explained the current measures the city is taking. In the afternoon of the second day, a UNAFEI professor and representatives of the Thai participants made presentations under the theme of “Latest Initiatives for the Prevention of Recidivism”, and both sides exchanged opinions in the plenary discussion.
　Both UNAFEI and TIJ are members of the United Nations Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Programme Network Institutes (PNI). UNAFEI will continue to collaborate with TIJ and other PNI members to enhance each other's activities.

	Visiting Saishu-kai, Halfway house		Presentation by UNAEI

on 24 May

UNAFEI and the International Institute for Justice and the Rule of Law (IIJ) concluded a Memorandum of Cooperation (MOC) on 24 May 2023.

　During the 32nd session of the United Nations Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice, a Memorandum of Cooperation was signed between UNAFEI and the IIJ at the Vienna International Center with the aim of further strengthening cooperation in the future.

Mr. Taro Morinaga, Director of UNAFEI and Mr. Steven Hill, Executive Secretary of IIJ

Mr. Taro Morinaga, Director of UNAFEI and Mr. Steven Hill, Executive Secretary of IIJ

on 22 - 26 May

The 32nd session of the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice

The 32nd session of the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice (CCPCJ) was held at the Vienna International Centre (UNODC) from 22 to 26 May 2023. Director Morinaga, Deputy Director Irie, Professor Takai and Ms. Otani attended in-person, and other professors attended online.

At the plenary of the CCPCJ, Director Morinaga delivered two statements on UNAFEI’s recent activities and follow-up on the Kyoto Declaration which was adopted at the Fourteenth United Nations Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice. He touched upon the organization of the PNI event on reducing reoffending in October 2022 and introduced its outcome document.

The side event with UNICRI,
UNAFRI, TIJ and UNODC

On 24 May, UNAFEI organized a side event titled “PNI Efforts to Reduce Reoffending Through Technical Assistance” with the support of the United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI), the United Nations African Institute for the Prevention of Crime and the Treatment of Offenders (UNAFRI), the Thailand Institute of Justice (TIJ) and the UNODC Justice Section, which are all PNI members. The speakers presented on practices and approaches aimed at reducing reoffending and expressed support for the development of the new Model Strategies on Reducing Reoffending, and the importance of multi-agency collaboration not only in reducing reoffending itself but also in technical assistance was recognized.

Also on 24 May, Director Morinaga delivered a speech at a side event organized by the TIJ. He expressed his appreciation for the work of the TIJ in promoting the United Nations Rules for the Treatment of Women Prisoners and Non-custodial Measures for Women Offenders (the Bangkok Rules) throughout the world, and conveyed his deep appreciation for the initiative of HRH Princess Bajrakitiyabha Mahidol of Thailand over the years.

During the CCPCJ, UNAFEI displayed an exhibition in the Rotunda, advertising our activities with Japanese origami (paper folding) and a Japanese happi (festival gown). Some participants stopped by and tried origami instructed by Director Morinaga.

It is a great pleasure to announce that UNAFEI will hold an online pre-session for participants of the “ASEAN-Japan Special Youth Forum” to be held in July 2023, jointly with the Thailand Institute of Justice. The main purpose of the pre-session is to provide the participants with the necessary knowledge and background that will form the basis of the discussions at the Youth Forum, as well as deepen the exchange between participants. We look forward to your active participation. Please see the flyer for information on how to apply to the Youth Forum.

on 8 - 20 March

The 2nd International Training Course on Building Inclusive Societies concluded.

Individual Presentation

Lecture by Dr. Kobayashi (Kanagawa Psychiatric Centre)

Lecture by Mr. Wataru Kashino and Ms. Sanita Suhartono (UNODC)

Group Workshop

Observation Visit to Fuchu Prison

Closing Ceremony

The 2nd International Training Course on Building Inclusive Societies concluded.

on 28 February -
10 March

◆ Francophone African Criminal Justice Seminar

The Francophone African Criminal Justice Seminar FY 2022 was held from 28 February to 10 March 2023 at JICA Tokyo. The theme of the Seminar was “Challenges in investigation and trials of drug crimes and measures to tackle these challenges”
Twenty-six criminal justice practitioners from seven Francophone African countries (namely Burkina Faso, Chad, Cote d'Ivoire, Mali, Mauritania, Niger and Senegal) participated.
Mr. Andrew Munanura (in-person) from the United Nations African Institute for the Prevention of Crime and the Treatment of Offenders (UNAFRI) in Uganda and Mr. Cheibou Samna Soumana (online) from the International Institute for Justice and the Rule of Law (IIJ) in Malta attended as visiting experts. Mr. ONISHI Masahito (in-person) also　attended as a lecturer from the Narcotics Control Department, Kanto-Shinetsu Regional Bureau of Health and Welfare, Japan.
In addition to the country presentations, participants worked in group workshops to further discuss key topics related to the main theme. Each group presented the outcome of their discussions on common challenges among participating countries and their recommended actions. After each presentation, views and opinions were actively exchanged among the participants.

Group photo at the Ministry of Justice

Presentation by Group A

Presentation by Group B

Presentation by Group C

Group photo at the closing ceremony

on 1 - 6 March

The joint study with the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste on the treatment of offenders and the reform of prisons has successfully concluded.
From 1 to 6 March 2023, UNAFEI invited 6 government officials from the Ministry of Justice and penal institutions of Timor-Leste for a Joint Study with Timor-Leste on Treatment of Offenders and Prison Reform. The Timorese delegation was led by Mr. Delfio Soares Alves, National Director of Prison System and Social Reintegration, Ministry of Justice of Timor-Leste. The main theme of this joint study was to strengthen the functions of correctional facilities in Timor-Leste by learning about the efforts of correctional facilities and the treatment of offenders in Japan, and an overview of Japan's correctional system was introduced. In particular, Japan's knowledge and efforts regarding treatment programmes and prison work in correctional facilities were introduced. Active discussions were held on the introduction of guidance on violence prevention in correctional facilities in Timor-Leste based on the knowledge gained through this joint study.

Courtesy call to Mr. HANAMURA Hirofumi, Director-General of the Correction Bureau, MOJ

Lecture by Mr. TAKIURA Masashi,
Assistant Director of the Juvenile Treatment Division, Correction Bureau, MOJ

Study visit to the Tama Juvenile Training School

Closing ceremony

on 13 - 14 February

UNAFEI took part in the second Criminal Justice Forum for Asia and the Pacific (Crim-AP)

UNAFEI took part in the second Crim-AP, which was held over two days from 13 to 14 February 2023.
The Crim-AP is a platform organized by the Government of Japan and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) to enhance international cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region by sharing information about each country’s legal frameworks and practices.
The forum also strengthened the network of regional practitioners as one of the initiatives of the implementation of the Kyoto Declaration, which was adopted at the 14th United Nations
Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice (the Kyoto Congress) held in 2021.

During the plenary session on the first day of the forum, Mr. Taro Morinaga, Director of UNAFEI, gave a statement in which he introduced UNAFEI's efforts to implement the Kyoto Declaration, including international training courses for criminal justice practitioners around the world on crime prevention and treatment of offenders, and the international youth training course to promote awareness among younger generations about the importance of building a safe and inclusive society.

On the second day, in the Working Group on Offender Treatment and Rehabilitation (WG-OTR), Ms. Junko Irie, Deputy Director of UNAFEI, introduced some of UNAFEI’s specific activities including technical assistance to Cambodia and the Philippines in community corrections, as well as PNI events where technical assistance on reducing reoffending was discussed.

Discussion at WG-OTR

In addition to learning about the systems and initiatives in each country, it was a meaningful opportunity for face-to-face exchanges with participants from overseas.

With Malaysian delegates

on 9 - 14 February

The Study Tour for Kenyan Officials has successfully concluded.

From 9 to 14 February 2023, we invited 9 government officials from Kenya to UNAFEI for a study tour on the community-based rehabilitation of children in conflict with the law.
The Kenyan delegation was led by the Hon. Lady Justice Teresia Mumbua Matheka,Chairperson of the National Council on the Administration of Justice Standing Committee on the Administration of Justice for Children.
The study tour included lectures by the police, a juvenile classification home, an employment support organization and a UNAFEI professor, as well as a meeting with hogoshi, who are community volunteers involved in rehabilitation of offenders. During the discussion sessions, the participants engaged in lively discussions on approaches to enhance delinquency prevention and rehabilitation of children in conflict with the law in Kenya, drawing on the information presented during the lectures.

Meeting with hogoshi

Discussion

Closing Ceremony

on 17 February

RTI-SPP Exchange Programme (Japan Session) was held in February 2023.

A scene of the programme

Courtesy call to Mr. SHIBUYA Hiroyuki, Director of Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office Tachikawa Branch

Discussion

Group photo at UNAFEI

on 6 February

The 180th International Senior Seminar concluded.

	Individual Presentation		Lecture by TOMITA Satoko(Director of the International Affairs Office, Headquarters of the JLSC)

	Group discussion		Presentation by each group

	Courtesy call to Mr. KADOYAMA Hiroaki, State Minister of Justice.		Closing Ceremony

The 180th International Senior Seminar concluded.

on 27 January

The 41st Public Lecture on Criminal Justice Policy was held on January 2023.
Please see this page.

Announcement for the "Public Lecture on Criminal Justice Policy" (January 2023)

UNAFEI, in collaboration with the Japan Criminal Policy Society (JCPS), the Asia Crime Prevention Foundation (ACPF), will organize the Public Lecture on Criminal Justice Policy on 27 January, 15:00-18:00 JST (6:00-9:00 GMT), inviting distinguished lecturers from the International Criminal Court and the Probation and Aftercare Service of Kenya.

For more details and registration for the event, please see the attached flyer.

	flyer

flyer

on 13 January

The 180th International Senior Seminar commenced.

● Main Theme : “Promoting Legal Aid for Offenders and Victims”
● Duration : From 13 January to 6 February 2023

The 180th International Senior Seminar commenced.

● Main Theme : “Promoting Legal Aid for Offenders and Victims”
● Duration : From 13 January to 6 February 2023