The Minister of Justice participated in the 15th United Nations Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice (15th Congress)

　The Minister of Justice of Japan, Mr. YAMASHITA Takashi, participated in the 15th United Nations Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice (the 15th Congress), held in Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates, from 26 September to 1 October 2026.
                                                                                                                    
　United Nations Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice (the Congress), held once every five years, is the largest United Nations conference in the field of crime prevention and criminal justice. Minister of Justice, Mr. YAMASHITA participated in the 15th Congress as the head of the delegation of Japan, which hosted the 14th Congress (the Kyoto Congress).

　Mr. YAMASHITA participated in the Handover Ceremony. During the ceremonies, he introduced Japan's initiatives since the Kyoto Congress and handed over the Congress and its legacy to H.E. Abdullah bin Sultan bin Awad Al Nuaimi, the Minister of Justice of the United Arab Emirates.
 
　Also, as the head of the Japanese government delegation, Mr. YAMASHITA emphasized the importance of strengthening cooperation and solidarity within the international community to promote the rule of law and realize safe and secure societies, at the High-level Segment. He also stated that Japan will continue to foster cooperation among ministries of justice, judicial authorities and other stakeholders around the world, as well as to further promote youth empowerment.

　On the sidelines of the plenary meeting, the High-Level Segment Thematic Meeting entitled “From Kyoto to Abu Dhabi: Translating Vision into Action for Criminal Justice and the Treatment of Offenders” was organized by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime（UNODC）. Mr. YAMASHITA participated in the meeting and shared various Japanese initiatives in the field of crime prevention and criminal justice since the Kyoto Congress, with a particular focus on measures on reducing reoffending.
 
　Representatives from the United Arab Emirates, South Africa, Romania and the Kyrgyz Republic also presented their respective national initiatives to reduce reoffending, reflecting the implementation of the Kyoto Declaration adopted at the Kyoto Congress. Participants deepened their understanding of reducing reoffending, which is a common challenge for the international community, towards the realization of safe and secure societies.

　In addition, Mr. YAMASHITA held bilateral meetings with dignitaries from 12 countries and organization, including H.E. Monica Kathina Juma, Executive Director of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), H.E. Pol. Lt. Gen. Rutthaphon Naowarat, Minister of Justice of Thailand, H.E. Carlo Nordio, Minister of Justice of the Italian Republic, H.E. Alex Davies-Jones, MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Minister for Victims, Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) and International Justice) of the United Kingdom, and H.E Nordia Khakimova, Deputy Head of the Presidential Administration of the Republic of Uzbekistan, and exchanged views on their cooperations in the field of law and justice.