Major External Organs of the Ministry
Public Security Intelligence Agency
The Public Security Intelligence Agency is an administrative organ whose duties are to carry out intelligence activities and the Agency applies to the Public Security Examination Commission when taking control measures against subversive organizations under the Subversive Activities Prevention Act and also takes specific regulatory measures under the Act Regarding Control of Organizations Which Have Committed Indiscriminate Mass Murder.
A book published by the Agency analyzing the state of affairs home and abroad every year
Subversive Activities Prevention Act
The Subversive Activities Prevention Act is designed to protect peace and order under the Constitution, which is the basis of democratic government, from being disrupted and to contribute to securing the safety of the public. Under the Constitution of Japan which maintains democracy as its basic concept, people's political faith or opinions must be realized through free speech, but at times, subversive organizations attempt to realize their beliefs by resorting to violent means disregarding this democratic principle. This Act provides for necessary measures to be taken against these organizations, restricting specific activities or even dissolving such organizations. It also sets forth the penalties to be imposed against those individuals who resort to violence.
Act Regarding the Control of Organizations Which Have Committed Indiscriminate Mass Murder
The Act Regarding the Control of Organizations Which Have Committed Indiscriminate Mass Murder (enforced in 1999) is designed to clarify the activities of those organizations which have committed indiscriminate mass murder in the past and which are still considered to have dangerous elements. This Act provides for necessary control measures to be taken against them to prevent the recurrence of indiscriminate mass murder by these organizations, contributing to securing the safety of the public. The Act makes it possible to take "surveillance" measures by which the facilities of these organizations are subject to on-the-spot inspections and to prohibit organizations from obtaining or using new facilities or accepting donations of money or goods. Further, it provides for penalties to be imposed against the violators of prohibited acts or those who refuse inspection by officials.
Based on the Subversive Activities Prevention Act, the Agency conducts intelligence activities regarding those organizations which have a potential for violent subversive activities and when it is deemed necessary to take control measures, based on their intelligence activities, the Agency files an application with the Public Security Examination Commission, which is an organization empowered to decide upon control measures, in order to take control measures such as restricting their activities or giving them a dissolution order. Also, in accordance with the Act Regarding the Control of Organizations Which Have Committed Indiscriminate Mass Murder, the Agency files an application with the Commission, against such organizations as have committed indiscriminate mass murder in the past and which are still considered dangerous, in order to take“surveillance measures”or measures to prevent recurrence and, at the same time, the Agency enters and inspects the facilities of these organizations under the Commission's order for observation and carries out the intelligence needed for regulative measures under the same Act. Furthermore, from the standpoint of contributing to the maintenance of public security, the Agency provides the relevant organs with information and materials obtained as the result of their intelligence, whenever necessary. To conduct such investigations, the Agency has public security intelligence assigned throughout the country.
With the international situation dramatically changing, the threat posed by international terrorism and other unstable factors that may have serious effects on the security of Japan have been increasing in recent years, so that the collection and analysis of security information on foreign countries have become very important for the Agency.
There are many government agencies in foreign countries similar to the Public Security Intelligence Agency of Japan which conduct intelligence into subversive organizations to protect basic public order as prescribed in the Constitution, such as the FBI in the U.S.A. or the German BfV.
Public Security Examination Commission
The Public Security Examination Commission is an extra-ministerial organ of the Ministry with the aim of maintaining public security. Upon receiving an application from the Director-General of the Public Security Intelligence Agency for action to control an organization which has resorted to subversive activities under the Subversive Activities Prevention Act or indiscriminate mass murder as prescribed in the Act Regarding the Control of Organizations Which Have Committed Indiscriminate Mass Murder, the Commission examines it from an objective and neutral viewpoint and makes a decision on whether any control measure is necessary or what control measure should be taken.
The Commission is composed of a chairman and six members. They are selected from among persons of good character who are capable of making a fair judgment on the control of organizations, having ample knowledge and experience of both law and society. They are appointed by the Prime Minister and must be approved by both houses of the Diet. With regard to application of the aforesaid laws, they perform their duties quite independently, free from any direction of the Prime Minister or the Minister of Justice.
Research and Training Institute of the Ministry of Justice
The Research and Training Institute conducts a wide range of work, including
- (i) research related to criminal justice policy and other Ministry of Justice affairs,
- (ii) various kinds of training for Ministry of Justice officials, and
- (iii) international cooperation both in criminal and civil sectors provided for developing countries mainly in the Asian region.
Training Institute for Correctional Personnel
The Training Institute for Correctional Personnel is an auxiliary organ of the Ministry of Justice, conducting training programs for personnel engaged in correctional services.
The Institute has a long traditional, the predecessor of which was the Prison Officers Training Institute of the old Home Office established in 1890.
After its establishment, the Institute was renamed several times and reorganized into the present structure by an amendment of the Ministry of Justice Establishment Law in 1969.
At present, the main Institute and eight branches throughout the country conduct training courses for staff working in correctional institutions such as prisons and juvenile training schools to ensure that they acquire necessary knowledge and skills and, in addition, the training is designed to develop their character and insight through mental and physical discipline. The main Institute also conducts training for middle-level and senior officers and the branches organize courses to train newly recruited or junior level officers.
Osaka Branch Training Institute for Correctional Personnel
Lecture at the Training Institute for Correctional Personnel
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