International Conferences
The United Nations Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice
The Congress is the largest international conference in the field of crime prevention and criminal justice and has been held every five years since 1955. In addition to government representatives of UN member countries including the ministers of justice and prosecutors-general, international organizations, regional organizations, NGOs and research institutes also participate. In 1970, Japan hosted the 4th Congress in Kyoto.
The 13th Congress was held in April 2015 in Doha, Qatar, and the Japanese delegation was headed by Prosecutor-General Ohno. In addition to the theme of “advancing crime prevention, criminal justice and the rule of law: towards the achievement of the 2030 agenda” being actively discussed, and the Doha Declaration (Original text/Japanese translation) (PDF) was adopted, and it was decided that the 14th Congress in 2020 would be held by Japan with the support of participating countries including the host Qatari government.
The 13th Congress was held in April 2015 in Doha, Qatar, and the Japanese delegation was headed by Prosecutor-General Ohno. In addition to the theme of “advancing crime prevention, criminal justice and the rule of law: towards the achievement of the 2030 agenda” being actively discussed, and the Doha Declaration (Original text/Japanese translation) (PDF) was adopted, and it was decided that the 14th Congress in 2020 would be held by Japan with the support of participating countries including the host Qatari government.
The United Nations Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice
The Commission (United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime homepage) is a commission of the United Nations Economic and Social Council that consists of 40 countries elected by the Economic and Social Council from among the UN member states. Its task is to implement and review the United Nations Crime Prevention Guidelines in the judicial field.
The Commission has been holding its annual meeting in Vienna since its establishment in 1992. Japan is one of its original member countries.
Japan’s delegation for the 28th Commission (webpage related to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime) in May 2019 was led by Prosecutor-General Inada Nobuo. During this meeting of the Commission, Mr. Inada made a statement on the 14th (Kyoto) Congress, and many resolutions and proposals were adopted.
The Commission has been holding its annual meeting in Vienna since its establishment in 1992. Japan is one of its original member countries.
Japan’s delegation for the 28th Commission (webpage related to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime) in May 2019 was led by Prosecutor-General Inada Nobuo. During this meeting of the Commission, Mr. Inada made a statement on the 14th (Kyoto) Congress, and many resolutions and proposals were adopted.
Rome-Lyon Group Meeting
At the G7, the Counterterrorism Experts Group (known as the Rome Group) was launched in 1978, and opinions have been exchanged on trends in international terrorism.
Also, in 1995, it was decided to establish a Senior Experts Group (known as the Lyon Group) to tackle international organized crime, and the “40 Recommendations to Combat Transnational Organized Crime Efficiently” was announced in the Lyon Group in 1996, followed by discussions of investigation methods and laws to deal with international organized crime such as firearms, drug and human smuggling, cybercrimes, money laundering and corruption.
Since the simultaneous terrorist attacks in the United States in 2001, a joint meeting between the Rome Group and the Lyon Group (Rome-Lyon Group Meeting) has been held, and in 2002 the above-mentioned recommendations were reviewed, and in addition to organized crime, the "G8 Recommendations on Transnational Crime" were adopted, which also specified counterterrorism measures.
The Rome-Lyon Group Meeting is held several times every year, and the Criminal Affairs Bureau of the Ministry of Justice has staff members attend each meeting to actively participate in discussions on international organized crime.
Also, in 1995, it was decided to establish a Senior Experts Group (known as the Lyon Group) to tackle international organized crime, and the “40 Recommendations to Combat Transnational Organized Crime Efficiently” was announced in the Lyon Group in 1996, followed by discussions of investigation methods and laws to deal with international organized crime such as firearms, drug and human smuggling, cybercrimes, money laundering and corruption.
Since the simultaneous terrorist attacks in the United States in 2001, a joint meeting between the Rome Group and the Lyon Group (Rome-Lyon Group Meeting) has been held, and in 2002 the above-mentioned recommendations were reviewed, and in addition to organized crime, the "G8 Recommendations on Transnational Crime" were adopted, which also specified counterterrorism measures.
The Rome-Lyon Group Meeting is held several times every year, and the Criminal Affairs Bureau of the Ministry of Justice has staff members attend each meeting to actively participate in discussions on international organized crime.