일본의 소년법제와 소년범죄 대응에 관한 분석적 연구

Abstract

An analysis of foreign legal systems and their current status can provide valuable insights into addressing the issue of juvenile offenses in Korea. Particularly, in the case of Japan, the continuous legislative efforts and reforms in Juvenile Act over the past two decades have resulted in improvements in the overall situation of juvenile offenses. Through an examination of Japan's juvenile legal system and policies, the following key points can be derived: Assurance of Professionalism among Stakeholders: One of the most significant features of Japan's juvenile justice system lies in the expertise of the Family Court. Establishment of an Integrated Approach: Japan's juvenile legal system is structured to allow for the intersection of child welfare and juvenile justice, enabling an integrated approach to addressing youth offenses. Despite multiple revisions to the age criteria for juveniles through amendments to Juvenile Act, the underlying principle of prioritizing the characteristics and protection of juveniles remains unchanged. Active Utilization of Individualized Measures and Diversion at the Court Level: While the types of protective dispositions are limited to three, Japan actively implements various interventions and measures in the Family Court before protective dispositions are imposed.