What happens if you go to prison in Japan?
It's a situation most foreigners don't anticipate, but it happens more often than you might think. Whether it's a drunken altercation that leads to 'self-defense' or a minor traffic violation that escalates, what happens if you end up in prison in Japan?
In 2023, authorities arrested about 11,530 foreign nationals in Japan for criminal offenses, and in 2024, they deported nearly 19,000 foreigners, mostly for overstaying their visas. Knowing exactly what happens when you go to prison in Japan is important because once authorities arrest you, the system moves fast, and you have little room to negotiate or explain your way out.
From the first taiho (arrest) to life inside a keimusho (prison), foreign inmates face rigid daily routines, mandatory labor, language barriers, and a long road to deportation. This article walks you through every step, so you know what to expect if you ever find yourself on the wrong side of the law here.
Arrest to Trial and Incarceration
How Long Can You Be Held?
Arrest FAQ: What You Need to Know
Where Are Foreign Nationals Incarcerated?
Are Foreigners Held at Immigration Offices?
What Happens When Imprisonment Begins?
Life and Food in Japanese Prisons
Prison Labor and Rehabilitation
Exercise and Adjusting to Prison Life
Consequences for Breaking Rules
What Happens After You Leave Prison?
Resources and Help
Arrest to Trial and Incarceration
When authorities arrest you in Japan, you lose control of your situation almost immediately. Communication with the outside world — including family and your employer — becomes restricted. Unless you specifically request it, police do not notify anyone about your arrest.
Under [Article 39](https://www.japaneselawtranslation.go.jp/en/laws/view/3739#je_pt1ch4at20:~:text=Article%2039(1,prepare%20for%20defense.) of the Code of Criminal Procedure, you have the right to request a meeting with a lawyer. If you're a foreign national, you can also request that your embassy be informed based on the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations (Article 36)—but again, the police won't do this automatically unless you ask.
In serious cases, like violent crimes or drug offenses, communication with anyone other than your lawyer can be restricted under Article 81 of the Code of Criminal Procedure. This can mean no phone calls, no visits and no letters — and authorities can even censor or seize letters and packages — while the investigation continues.
Meanwhile, investigators are working fast. Their goal is simple:
Gather evidence
Secure a confession
Move your case forward to prosecution
How Long Can You Be Held?
In Japan, you can be detained for up to 23 days without being formally charged. And if you make it 23 days, don't expect to go home. Re-arrest (再逮捕, saitaiho) allows police to arrest a suspect again on new or additional charges just before the initial 23-day detention period ends. Each re-arrest restarts the detention clock, meaning a person can be held for months without a formal trial if new allegations keep appearing.
Here's how the timeline works:
Arrest FAQ: What You Need to Know
Here are some frequently asked questions about arrests in Japan.
Can I call my family or employer right away?
You cannot make a call automatically. You can ask your lawyer to arrange contact, but direct calls often face delays, especially for serious charges.
Will the police inform my embassy?
The police will only inform your embassy if you request it. Under the Vienna Convention, foreigners have the right to embassy contact, but you must specifically ask for it.
Can I meet with a lawyer immediately?
You have the right to request a lawyer under Article 39. However, in practice, authorities may delay early access, and lawyers cannot attend police interrogations.
What if I am accused of a minor crime?
You might get released earlier without an indictment for minor crimes, but this outcome is not guaranteed. If authorities suspect you of serious crimes like assault, theft, drug offenses or financial fraud, expect detention for the full 23 days.
Where Are Foreign Nationals Incarcerated?
The Tokyo Detention House in Katsushika
Image: Pixta
Foreign nationals who do not understand Japanese can request free interpretation services during police and prosecutor investigations and the trial after indictment. Public authorities must provide this service under Article 312 of the Code of Criminal Procedure and other regulations.
This continues after incarceration. Inmates with language barriers generally stay in prisons equipped with language support systems. According to the Ministry of Justice, Japan has over 60 prisons, with more than 20 offering special facilities for foreign inmates with limited Japanese proficiency.
Inmates with particularly poor Japanese skills are usually assigned to:
Fukushima Prison (Fukushima Prefecture)
Fuchu Prison (Tokyo)
Yokohama Prison (Kanagawa Prefecture)
Osaka Prison (Osaka Prefecture)
These prisons have set up 'International Measures Divisions' to support foreign inmates. For example, Fuchu Prison, which houses the largest number of foreign inmates, provides support from international specialists, full-time interpreters, translators from private companies, and external collaborators to assist with interpretation and translation services.
Are Foreigners Held at Immigration Offices?
Yes, but usually only in two cases:
If authorities arrest you for an immigration violation (like overstaying your visa), they can detain you directly at an Immigration Bureau facility without going through the regular prison system.
If you're a foreigner who finishes serving a criminal sentence in Japan, officials usually transfer you to immigration detention to await deportation.
Immigration detention is administrative, not criminal, but authorities enforce strict conditions, and the process can take weeks or even months to complete. Detention can last for weeks, months, or even over a year in rare cases if the deportation process is delayed. Conditions are very controversial—hunger strikes, protests and deaths have been reported at some facilities..
What Happens When Imprisonment Begins?
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