In determining how to proceed with the disposition of an offender,the paramount concern for the Japanese is how the decision will benefit society. This goal is strikingly different from that found in many countries, which claim, at least in theory, that their principal concern is for
the individual offender. Of course, the Japanese are still concerned about the individual, just as justice systems that appear to concentrate their efforts on the offender are also interested in the societal benefits that result from their decisions