It should come as no surprise that Japan’s correctional system has
evolved in a manner not unlike that of their police, judiciary, and law. The
Penal Code of 1908 and other legal measures related to corrections were
initially influenced by French and German ideas from the mid-nineteenth
century through the early twentieth century. Much of this legislation
remains in force today, albeit with some modifications. In addition, the
American occupation had many effects on the correctional system, the
introduction of probation and parole being most notable. Finally, a clearly
distinct juvenile justice system also was created following the war