This Criminal Code, Act No. 45 of 1907 establishes Japan’s criminal law framework by defining general principles of criminal liability, punishments, and categories of offences. It is organized into two main parts: General Provisions and Crimes.
The General Provisions regulate the territorial and extraterritorial application of criminal law, classifications of penalties, calculation of sentences, suspension of execution, parole, prescription periods, criminal responsibility, attempts, complicity, recidivism, and methods for aggravating or reducing penalties.
The Crimes section classifies offences against the State, public administration, justice, public order, and individuals. The Code further defines offence elements, penalties, and applicable legal conditions for prosecution and punishment. It provides for crimes related to: corruption, fraud and extortion, credit and business, violations that obstruct the performance of official duties, drinking water (including water treatment plant contamination, water supply contamination, etc.), flooding and water management, etc.