Japan
Capital city — Tokyo
Country population
i2018Incarceration rate (per 100,000 inhabit…
i07/2018/ ICPRType of government
Human Development Index
Homicide rate (per 100,000 inhabitants)
Name of authority in charge of the pris…
Total number of prisoners
Average length of imprisonment (in mont…
i2014/ Center for Prisoners’ Rights and Japanese Federation of Bar Associations (JFBA)Prison density
i31/12/2014/ ICPRTotal number of prison facilities
An NPM has been established
Female prisoners
i31/07/2018/ ICPRIncarcerated minors
i2014/ ICPRPercentage of untried prisoners
Death penalty is abolished
Health
Organisation of health care
Ministry in charge
Ministry of Health
The transfer of this responsibility to the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare has not yet taken place (see also NPM). Medical services are therefore not independent.
Every prison facility has a health care unit
Number of medical staff (FTE)
683
Dental care is often minimal and access to palliative care lacking.
Access to health care
Health care is free
The Penal and Detention Facilities Act provides that when detainees are injured or sick, necessary medical measures shall be taken at public expense.
A medical examination is performed upon admission
A medical file is opened upon admission
Medical examinations are carried out on a confidential basis
no
Doctor-patient confidentiality is not guaranteed since prison guards attend medical examinations.
Yes, continual medical care is guaranteed during incarceration. The Penal and Detention Facilities Act provides health examinations should be conducted at the frequency of about twice a month.
As a result of this, security requirements are often prioritized over medical needs, causing delays in medical attention, worsening symptoms, or even death in extreme cases.