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World Takes Notice of Japan's Volunteer-led Probation Model
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This is an important opportunity to share Japan's unique volunteer probation officer (Hogoshi) system with the world. In May, the United Nations Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice, meeting in Vienna, adopted international standard guidelines for reducing reoffending drafted at Japan's initiative. They are modeled on Japan's own Hogoshi-based system.
For UN member states, the standard guidelines offer basic guidance when formulating legislative and administrative policies. They are expected to be officially adopted by the UN General Assembly by the end of 2025. As a result, the system and philosophy of the Hogoshi probation officers will be widely shared around the world.
This development is evidence of the international recognition given to Japan's parole system. Japanese ministries should take the opportunity to build on this success and spread the Hogoshi system message in Japan and abroad.
The impetus for the proposed standard came from the UN Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice held in Kyoto in March 2021.
High rates of recidivism have become a common issue for many countries. As a result, attention has been drawn to Japan's system of public-private collaboration. Through the Hogoshi system, offenders released from prisons and juvenile detention centers are supported in their reintegration into society.
In particular, participating countries highly praised Japan's Hogoshi probation officers — community volunteers who help former prisoners on parole find jobs. These volunteers also provide advice concerning their daily lives. Responding to this outpouring of interest, the Japanese government proposed the creation of guidelines for reducing reoffending. Japan also acted as a coordinator for opinions from various countries.
Systems modeled on the Hogoshi volunteer probation officer system have already been introduced in the Philippines and Kenya. Beyond that, the Ministry of Justice plans to use their adoption as an opportunity to export the system to other countries. The Minister of Justice receives the final report from the Chairman of the Expert Review Committee for the Establishment of a Sustainable Probation Officer System. October 3, 2024, at the Ministry of Justice.
Although exporting the system is certainly a worthwhile idea, some issues need to be resolved first. Here in Japan, not only are the Hogoshi volunteers aging, but there are not enough volunteers.
As of January 2025, there were 46,000 Hogoshi, far below the full staffing level of 52,500. Furthermore, their average age was above 65, with more than 40% over 70.
In 2024, a Ministry of Justice-led panel of experts issued a report on how to make the Hogoshi volunteer probation officer system sustainable. Among its recommendations was the introduction of a public recruitment system on a trial basis. That contrasts with the current Hogoshi hiring system, which relies on personal connections among probation officers.
The report also calls for abolishing the upper age limit for new volunteers. In principle, those wishing to become a Hogoshi must be 66 years old or younger. However, the report's proposal fails to address the introduction of a remuneration system, which has been a focus of attention.
The Ministry of Justice has stated that it will review the system every five years. Nonetheless, there is an urgent need to review these measures and secure human resources now.
We hope that the UN guidelines will provide an opportunity to raise morale among Hogoshi and that the system will become a global model in both name and reality.
Author: Editorial Board, The Sankei Shimbun
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