Article 1(1)In order to appropriately treat a juvenile protection case, these rules must be construed and operated in accordance with the purpose and spirit of the Juveniles Act (Act No. 168 of 1948; referred to below as "the Act").

(2)When dealing with an investigation, hearing and decision or other treatment of a juvenile protection case, constant effort must be made to protect the juvenile's emotional stability with consideration and good will so that the trust can be earned from the juvenile and the custodian, etc., as a matter of course.

Article 2(1)When issuing a ruling, the judge must prepare a written ruling and affix the judge's signature and seal to it. If any of the judges constituting the panel has difficulty in signing and sealing the written ruling, another judge (if the judge who is unable to affix the judge's signature and seal is a judge other than the presiding judge, the presiding judge) must sign and seal the written ruling while appending a supplementary note about the ground for that.

(2)When the judge affixes the judge's signature and seal pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph, the judge may affix the judge's seal next to their name in place of affixing their signature and seal.

(3)The judge may affix the judge's seal to the written ruling for a ruling other than those listed in any of the following items in place of affixing the judge's signature and seal under the provisions of paragraph (1) or affixing the judge's seal next to the judge's name under the provisions of the preceding paragraph:

(4)The written ruling must include the information listed in the following items:

(5)The written ruling for a ruling other than those listed in any of the following items may omit the matters listed in items (ii) and (iv) of the preceding paragraph:

(6)The written ruling may quote the contents of the documents in the case record.

(7)If the presiding judge finds it to be appropriate, the presiding judge may have a ruling included in the record, and substitute the record for the written ruling.

Article 3(1)To announce a ruling listed in the following items, the presiding judge must render it on a hearing and decision date:

(2)To announce a ruling listed in the following items, the presiding judge must render it in the presence of the juvenile:

(3)To announce a ruling listed in the following items, the judge who makes the ruling must render it in the presence of the juvenile:

(4)Except in the case referred to in the preceding three paragraphs, the ruling is announced by a method that is found to be appropriate. The same applies to a case in which it is not possible or it is found to be inappropriate to make the ruling referred to in Article 23, paragraphs (2) and (3) of the Act (excluding the case referred to in paragraph (1), item (ii)) and Article 25 of the Act pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (2), item (i).

(5)It is not required to announce the ruling referred to in Article 19 of the Act, if it is not possible to make the announcement of the ruling pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph.

(6)The court clerk indicates the method, place, and date of the announcement, in the case referred to from paragraphs (1) through (4), and the fact that the announcement is not made, in the case referred to in the preceding paragraph, in a supplementary note to a written ruling or a record including the ruling, and affix the court clerk's seal to the written ruling or the record.

Article 4(1)The ruling referred to in Article 17, paragraph (1), item (ii) of the Act; the main clause of Article 17-4, paragraph (1) of the Act; Article 24, paragraph (1), items (ii) and (iii) of the Act; the main clause of Article 26-2 of the Act; the main clause of Article 27-2, paragraph (5) of the Act; and Article 64, paragraph (1), item (iii) of the Act and an escort warrant are executed under the direction of the judge of the family court which made the ruling or issued the escort warrant.

(2)The judge is to implement the direction referred to in the preceding paragraph by affixing the judge's seal to the original of a written ruling, a copy or an extract of the written ruling or a record including the ruling, or the escort warrant; provided, however, that in case of urgency, the judge may implement the direction by affixing the judge's seal to documents including the name and age of the juvenile, the main text of the ruling, the announcement date, the name of the court, and the name of the judge.

Article 5(1)If a family court makes the ruling referred to from Articles 18 of the Act, Article 19 of the Act, Article 20, paragraph (1) of the Act, Article 23 of the Act, Article 24, paragraph (1) of the Act, Article 62, paragraph (1) of the Act or Article 64, paragraph (1) of the Act for a case which has been referred to the court by a public prosecutor, a judicial police officer, a police officer, a prefectural governor, or a director of a child consultation center, the court must notify those who referred the case to the court of that fact. The same applies to a case in which a family court makes the ruling referred to in Article 24, paragraph (1) of the Act for a case for which the court has received a notification under the provisions of Article 68, paragraph (1) of the Offenders Rehabilitation Act (Act No. 88 of 2007) from a director of a probation office.

(2)The provisions of the preceding paragraph apply mutatis mutandis to a case that has been transferred to the family court pursuant to the provisions of Article 55 of the Act.

(3)If the family court revokes the disposition for rehabilitation of an adjudicated delinquent pursuant to the provisions of Article 27 of the Act and Article 27-2, paragraph (1) of the Act, the court is to notify, to that effect, the director of a probation office, a children's self-reliance support facility, foster home, or a juvenile training school which implements the disposition.

Article 6(1)Except as otherwise provided, a document relating to a juvenile protection case is prepared by a court clerk; provided, however, that a document relating to an investigation by a family court investigating officer or other matters may be prepared by the family court investigating officer by themselves.

(2)Any document, photograph, or other material which is found to be appropriate may be cited in a record and be deemed to constitute part of a case record and attached to it.

Article 6-2(1)The court or the presiding judge may have a court clerk provide notification which is to be provided by the court or the presiding judge pursuant to the provisions of these rules.

(2)When a court or presiding judge, or a court clerk provides notification under the provisions of the Act or these rules, the court clerk must keep a record of that fact in the case record.

(3)When the family court investigating officer provides notification under these rules, the family court investigating officer must keep a record of that fact in the case record.

Article 7(1)Except in a case under Article 5-2, paragraph (1) of the Act or in a case in which a permit is granted by a court which retains the case record or evidence of a juvenile protection case, the case record or the evidence must not be inspected or copied.

(2)Notwithstanding the provisions of the preceding paragraph, the attendant (excluding those who are appointed pursuant to the provisions of Article 6-3 of the Act; the same applies below) may inspect a case record or evidence of a juvenile protection case after a ruling for commencement of a hearing and decision procedure is made.

(3)If the court finds that, in part of a case record or evidence of a juvenile protection case, there is any mention or record of any matter likely to cause any act which harms the body or property of a person or threatens or confuses a person, or any act which has serious negative effects on the dignity or the peaceful existence of the person in society, by having the case record or the evidence inspected, the court may attach a condition that the attendant does not inform the juvenile or the custodian of any of the matters designated by the court, or designate a time when, and a method by which, the attendant may inform the juvenile or the custodian of any of the matters designated by the court when the attendant inspects the case record or the evidence pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph, after considering the relationship between the attendant and the juvenile or other circumstances; provided, however, that this does not apply to a case in which there is a risk of interfering with the attendant's preparation for a hearing and decision or other preparation for a hearing and decision.

(4)If the court finds that, in the case referred to in the main clause of the preceding paragraph, it is likely impossible to prevent the acts referred to in the main clause of that paragraph by the method under the provisions of the main clause of that paragraph, the court may prohibit the attendant from inspecting any part of the case record or the evidence that is provided in the main clause of the preceding paragraph and designated by the court when the attendant inspects the case record or the evidence pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (2), except in a case in which there is a risk of interfering with the attendant's preparation for a hearing and decision or other preparation for the hearing and decision. In such a case, if the name or residence of the person is mentioned or recorded in part of the case record or evidence which the court has prohibited the attendant from inspecting, the court must inform the attendant of a nominal designation in place of the person's name and a contact address in place of the person's residence at the attendant's request.

(5)In order for the court to take measures under the provisions of the preceding two paragraphs, the court must hear the attendant's opinions in advance.

(6)If the court takes measures under the provisions of paragraphs (3) or (4), the court must notify the attendant of that fact. The court must provide this notification, while identifying the matters designated by the court in the case of measures under the provisions of paragraph (3) and the part designated by the court in the case of measures under the provisions of paragraph (4).

(7)If the attendant violates any condition attached pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (3) or does not comply with the designation of the time or method under the provisions of the same paragraph, the court may notify the bar association to which the attendant who is an attorney at law belongs or the Japan Federation of Bar Associations, and request that any appropriate measures be taken.

(8)Any person that has received a request under the provisions of the preceding paragraph must notify the court that made the request of measures which the person has taken.

Article 7-2The following information must be clarified when making the request referred to in Article 5-2, paragraph (1) of the Act:

Article 8(1)The public prosecutor, the judicial police officer, the police officer, the prefectural governor, or the director of a child consultation center must refer a case to the family court with a document for referral that includes the information listed in the following items:

(2)In the case referred to the preceding paragraph, documents, evidence, or other material for reference, if any, must also be transferred.

(3)The document for referral may include opinions relating to the treatment of the juvenile.

(4)If the public prosecutor re-refers a case that a family court had referred to the public prosecutor to the family court, the public prosecutor must include the reason for the re-referral in the documents for referral.

(5)The provisions of the preceding four paragraphs apply mutatis mutandis to a case in which a director of a probation office provides notification under the provisions of Article 68, paragraph (1) of the Offenders Rehabilitation Act.

Article 9(1)In order for a person who discovered a juvenile who is to be subject to a hearing and decision of a family court to notify the court of the discovery, the person, to the greatest extent possible, must clarify the name, age, occupation, and residence of the juvenile and the custodian (in a case in which the custodian is a juridical person, a name or trade name and the location of the principal office or head office of the juridical person) and the registered domicile of the juvenile as well as the grounds for the hearing and decision.

(2)The notification referred to in the preceding paragraph may be provided in writing or provided orally. If the notification is provided orally, the family court investigating officer or the court clerk must include that fact in the record.

(3)The provisions of paragraph (3) of the preceding Article apply mutatis mutandis to the case referred to in paragraph (1).

Article 9-2The provisions relating to seizure, search, inspection, and request for an expert examination conducted by judicial police personnel in the Rules of Criminal Procedure (Rules of the Supreme Court No. 32 of 1948) (excluding Article 158-2 of the same Rules) apply mutatis mutandis to seizure, search, inspection, and request for expert examination under the provisions of Article 6-5, paragraph (1) of the Act.

Article 9-3The family court investigating officer must make a report pursuant to the provisions of Article 7, paragraph (1) of the Act with a written report including the information listed in the following items:

Article 10The family court investigating officer must conduct the investigation referred to in Article 7, paragraph (2) of the Act within the limit necessary for reporting, and be careful not to investigate the facts in too much detail.

Article 11(1)An investigation is to be conducted concerning matters necessary for a hearing and decision and treatment of the juvenile who is to be subject to the hearing and decision, such as those relating to the family and custodian, circumstances, backgrounds, educational level and conditions, process of delinquent behavior, character and conducts, those relating to the case, physical and mental condition, etc.

(2)Whenever possible, an investigation is also to be conducted concerning the background, educational level, character and conducts, inherited character, etc. of the family and other concerned persons of the juvenile.

(3)If the juvenile is referred to a juvenile classification home, any note for assessment and treatment at the time of observation and protection of the juvenile or other matters for reference must be indicated to the greatest extent possible to the juvenile classification home.

Article 12(1)If the family court finds that a statement given by the juvenile, the custodian, or a relevant person is necessary for a hearing and decision in a case, the court must have it included in the record, or include it in the record.

(2)The family court must have the person who has given a statement affix the person's signature and seal to the record referred to in the preceding paragraph.

(3)If the family court investigating officer finds it to be appropriate in the case referred to in paragraph (1), the family court investigating officer may prepare a document including a summary of the statement given by the juvenile, the custodian, or the relevant person, and substitute this for the record referred to in that paragraph.

Article 13(1)The family court investigating officer is to report the results of the investigation in writing to the family court.

(2)The family court investigating officer must attach their opinions to the document referred to in the preceding paragraph.

(3)The family court investigating officer must state their opinions relating to treatment of the juvenile to the family court, regardless of whether it is before or after reporting under the provisions of paragraph (1).

Article 13-2(1)The following information must be clarified when making the request referred to in the main clause of Article 9-2 of the Act:

(2)Concerning the request referred to in the main clause of Article 9-2 of the Act, it is not permissible for a person other than an attorney at law to become a representative.

Article 13-3If a family court or a family court investigating officer hears opinions pursuant to the provisions of the main clause of Article 9-2 of the Act, the family court or the family court investigating officer must notify the requester to that effect and of the date, time, and place to hear opinions.

Article 13-4When hearing opinions pursuant to the provisions of the main clause of Article 9-2 of the Act, the physical and mental condition of the requester is to be considered.

Article 13-5If the juvenile has an attendant and if the family court hears opinions pursuant to the provisions of the main clause of Article 9-2, the family court must promptly notify the attendant of that fact.

Article 13-6(1)If the family court hears opinions pursuant to the provisions of the main clause of Article 9-2 of the Act on a day other than the hearing date, the family court must order a court clerk to prepare documents including a summary of opinions.

(2)If the family court investigating officer hears opinions pursuant to the provisions of the main clause of Article 9-2 of the Act, the family court investigating officer must prepare a document including a summary of the opinions.

(3)The provisions of Article 12 do not apply to a statement of opinions under the main clause of Article 9-2 of the Act.

Article 14(1)The number of attendants who are attorneys at law must not exceed three.

(2)To appoint an attendant, a document which is signed jointly by the juvenile and the attendant is to be submitted. This document must include the relationship between the juvenile and the attendant.

(3)If an attendant is to affix the signature and seal pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph, the attendant may affix the seal next to the attendant's name in place of affixing the signature and seal.

(4)An attendant must be appointed at each instance.

(5)In order for a custodian to become an attendant, the custodian is to submit a written request to that effect to the family court. The provisions of the second sentence of paragraph (2) and the preceding paragraph apply mutatis mutandis to this case.

(6)Permission for appointing an attendant and for becoming an attendant may be revoked at any time.

Article 15The writ of summons for an investigation or a hearing and decision is to include the name, age, and residence of the juvenile concerned, a statement to the effect that the juvenile concerned is to be summoned for a juvenile protection case, a date, time, and place to appear, and a statement to the effect that an escort warrant may be issued if the juvenile concerned does not appear without justifiable grounds; and the presiding judge affixes the presiding judge's seal next to their name on the writ of summons.

Article 16(1)The writ of summons referred to in the preceding Article is served.

(2)The provisions relating to a service in civil actions and those of Article 65, paragraphs (2) and (3) of the Code of Criminal Procedure (Act No. 131 of 1948) apply mutatis mutandis to the service in a juvenile protection case; provided, however, that the provisions relating to a service in the workplace, notification of a place for service, etc., and a service by publication do not apply.

Article 16-2The summons for an investigation or a hearing and decision may be given by a method that is found to be appropriate other than the service of a writ of summons.

Article 17(1)The escort warrant for an investigation or a hearing and decision must include the name, age, and residence of the juvenile concerned, the grounds for the hearing and decision, a place to be escorted, a valid period, a statement to the effect that after expiry of the period, the warrant is not to be executed and must be returned, and the date when the warrant is issued; and the presiding judge or a judge who issues the escort warrant must affix the judge's seal next to their name.

(2)The escort warrant that is issued in case of an emergency must include concrete reasons for the special necessity for issuance in addition to the matters referred to in the preceding paragraph.

(3)If the presiding judge issues the escort warrant referred to in the preceding paragraph pursuant to the provisions of Article 12, paragraph (2) of the Act, the presiding judge must include that fact in the escort warrant.

(4)The valid period of an escort warrant is to be seven days from the date when the warrant is issued; provided, however, that if it is found to be appropriate, a period exceeding seven days may be specified.

Article 18(1)To execute an escort warrant, the warrant must be shown to the juvenile concerned and the juvenile must be escorted to the designated place as promptly as possible.

(2)Notwithstanding the provisions of the preceding paragraph, even if the person in charge of execution of an escort warrant does not possess the warrant, the person may, in an urgent case, execute the warrant after informing the juvenile of the grounds for the hearing and decision and the fact that the warrant has been issued; provided, however, that the warrant must be shown to the juvenile as promptly as possible.

(3)If the person in charge of execution of an escort warrant execute the warrant, the person must include the place, date, and time of execution in the warrant; if the person fails to execute the warrant, the person must include the reason for the failure; and in either of the cases the person must affix the person's seal next to their name.

(4)If the person in charge of execution of an escort warrant executes or fails to execute the warrant, the person must submit the warrant to a judge who gives direction regarding the execution.

(5)Except in the case where the person in charge of execution of an escort warrant fails to execute the warrant, if a judge receives the warrant, the judge must have a court clerk include the date and time of the escort in the warrant.

Article 19Unless contrary to the nature of a juvenile protection case, the provisions relating to examination of witnesses, expert examination, interpretation, translation, inspection, seizure, and search conducted by a court in the Rules of Criminal Procedure apply mutatis mutandis to examination of witnesses, expert examination, interpretation, and translation under the provisions of Article 14, paragraph (1) of the Act and inspection, seizure, and search under Article 15, paragraph (1) of the Act.

Article 19-2The family court may request another family court or a summary court to investigate the facts.

Article 19-3On implementing the measures referred to in Article 17, paragraph (1), item (ii) of the Act, the presiding judge (in a case under the provisions of paragraph (10) of the same Article, a judge who implements the measures) must explain in advance and in a way that is easily understood by the juvenile that the juvenile will not be forced to make a statement and is able to appoint an attendant; and must inform the juvenile of the summary of the grounds for a hearing and decision; and must give the juvenile an opportunity to make a statement regarding the hearing and decision.

Article 20(1)To make the ruling referred to in Article 17, paragraph (1), items (i) or (ii) of the Act, a family court investigating officer or a juvenile classification home is to be designated.

(2)To make the ruling referred to in the main clause of Article 17-4, paragraph (1) of the Act, a juvenile training school or a penal institution is to be designated.

(3)The designation under the preceding two paragraphs may be amended at any time.

Article 21If measures for observation and protection of a juvenile are no longer necessary, the measures must be promptly revoked.

Article 21-2If a case for which the measures referred to in Article 17, paragraph (1), item (ii) of the Act have been implemented is referred to the family court, the family court must notify the juvenile classification home, the juvenile training school, or the penal institution to which the juvenile is committed of that fact. The same applies to a case in which the ruling referred to in Article 19, paragraph (2) of the Act (including a case as applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to Article 23, paragraph (3) of the Act), the ruling referred to in Article 20 , paragraph (1) of the Act or Article 62, paragraph (1) of the Act is made in the case for which the measures referred to in Article 17, paragraph (1), item (ii) of the Act have been implemented.

Article 22(1)The fact that measures for observation and protection of a juvenile have been implemented or revoked or amended must be promptly made notice of to each of the custodian and the attendant, whomever is found to be appropriate respectively; and the fact that the measures referred to in Article 17, paragraph (1), item (ii) of the Act are deemed to be detention pursuant to the provisions of Article 45, item (iv) of the Act, if the ruling referred to in Article 19, paragraph (2) of the Act (including a case as applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to Article 23, paragraph (3) of the Act; the same applies below in this Article), Article 20, paragraph (1) of the Act or Article 62, paragraph (1) of the Act is made in the case for which the measures referred to in Article 17, paragraph (1), item (ii) of the Act have been implemented, must also promptly be made notice of to each of the custodian and the attendant, each of whomever is found to be appropriate respectively.

(2)If the measures for observation and protection of the juvenile have been implemented or amended, or if the ruling referred to in Article 19, paragraph (2) of the Act, Article 20, paragraph (1) of the Act or Article 62, paragraph (1) of the Act has been rendered for a case for which the measures referred to in Article 17, paragraph (1), item (ii) of the Act have been implemented, the notice referred to in the preceding paragraph must be given to one person designated by the juvenile from among the legal representative, curator, spouse, lineal relative, and sibling of the juvenile if the juvenile has neither a custodian nor an attendant, or to one person designated by the juvenile upon their request if the juvenile has none of these persons.

(3)If the measures for observation and protection of the juvenile have been revoked and the juvenile has neither a custodian nor an attendant, the notice referred to in paragraph (1) must be given to the person that is found to be appropriate from among the legal representative, curator, spouse, lineal relative, or sibling of the juvenile.

Article 22-2(1)If an objection under the main clause of Article 17-2, paragraph (1) of the Act is filed and if it is found to be necessary, the family court in which a juvenile protection case is pending must deliver the case record and evidence of the juvenile protection case to the court which is to make the ruling referred to in the first sentence of paragraph (3) of the same Article (referred to below as the "court for objection").

(2)The court for objection may request delivery of the case record and evidence of the juvenile protection case.

(3)If the court for objection makes the ruling referred to in the first sentence of Article 17-2, paragraph (3) of the Act, the court for objection must notify the court in which the juvenile protection case is pending of that fact.

(4)The provisions of Article 43, Article 44 (excluding the case referred to in the second sentence of paragraph (1) of the same Article and the part relating to notification of the date referred to in paragraph (2) of the same Article), Article 45, paragraph (2), and Article 47 apply mutatis mutandis to the filing of objections referred to in the main clause of Article 17-2, paragraph (1) of the Act.

Article 22-3The provisions of the preceding Article and Article 45, paragraph (1) apply mutatis mutandis to the appeal referred to in the main clause of Article 35, paragraph (1) of the Act as applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to the first sentence of Article 17-3, paragraph (1) of the Act. In such a case, the phrase "Article 44 (excluding the case referred to in the second sentence of paragraph (1) of the same Article and the part relating to notification of the date referred to in paragraph (2) of the same Article)" in paragraph (4) of the preceding Article is deemed to be replaced by "Article 44," and the phrase "as well as the case record promptly" in Article 45, paragraph (1) is deemed to be replaced by "promptly."

Article 23To make a ruling for referring a case to a prefectural governor or a director of a child consultation center, the prefectural governor or the director of the child consultation center to whom the case is to be referred is to be designated.

Article 24To make a ruling for referring a case to a public prosecutor, a fact constituting a crime and a penal statute applicable to the fact must be specified.

Article 24-2(1)When making the ruling referred to in Article 19, paragraph (2) of the Act (including a case as applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to Article 23, paragraph (3) of the Act) or Article 20, paragraph (1) of the Act or Article 62, paragraph (1) of the Act for a case in which the measures referred to in Article 17, paragraph (1), item (ii) of the Act have been implemented, the presiding judge must notify the juvenile concerned in advance of the facts constituting a crime, and that there are the grounds referred to in any of the items of Article 60, paragraph (1) of the Code of Criminal Procedure and that the juvenile concerned has the right to appoint a defense counsel; provided, however, that, when rendering the ruling referred to in Article 20, paragraph (1) of the Act or Article 62, paragraph (1) of the Act, if the juvenile has an attendant who is an attorney at law appointed pursuant to the provisions of Article 10, paragraph(1) of the Act, it is not required to notify the juvenile of the fact that the juvenile has the right to appoint a defense counsel.

(2)When notifying the juvenile concerned that they have the right to appoint a defense counsel pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph, the juvenile concerned must be instructed that they may make a request for appointment of a defense counsel by specifying an attorney at law, a legal professional corporation (including an attorney at law / registered foreign lawyer joint corporation), or a bar association, and a person with which the request must be made.

(3)When notifying the juvenile concerned that has the right to appoint a defense counsel, the presiding judge referred to in paragraph (1) must notify the juvenile concerned that they may make a request for appointment of a defense counsel if the juvenile is unable to personally appoint a defense counsel because of indigence or other reasons. The provisions of Article 207, paragraph (4) of the Code of Criminal Procedure apply mutatis mutandis to this case.

(4)When notification and instruction are provided pursuant to the provisions of the preceding three paragraphs, the court clerk is to attend the notification and the instruction and prepare a record.

Article 24-3(1)The public prosecutor may make a request to the presiding judge in advance that, if the ruling referred to in Article 19, paragraph (2) of the Act (including a case as applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to Article 23, paragraph (3) of the Act), Article 20, paragraph (1) of the Act or Article 62, paragraph (1) of the Act is made for a juvenile who has been committed to a juvenile classification home as a result of the measures referred to in Article 17, paragraph (1), item (ii) of the Act, the presiding judge gives consent to commit the juvenile concerned to another juvenile classification home or a penal institute or to detain the juvenile concerned in a detention facility pursuant to the provisions of Article 15, paragraph (1) of the Act on Penal Detention Facilities and the Treatment of Inmates and Detainees (Act No. 50 of 2005).

(2)If the presiding judge gives the consent referred to in the preceding paragraph, the public prosecutor is to commit or detain the juvenile concerned in the juvenile classification home or the penal institute or the detention facility relating to the consent.

(3)If the public prosecutor does not make the request referred to in paragraph (1) or if the presiding judge does not give the consent referred to in the same paragraph, the public prosecutor is to commit the juvenile concerned to the juvenile classification home to which the juvenile concerned has been committed as the results of the measures referred to in Article 17, paragraph (1), item (ii) of the Act.

Article 24-4The ruling referred to in Article 21 of the Act may be revoked at any time.

Article 25(1)To hear a case, the presiding judge designates a hearing and decision date.

(2)The juvenile and the custodian must be summoned on the hearing and decision date.

Article 25-2Two or more cases for a single juvenile must be jointly heard as much as possible.

Article 26When it is found to be appropriate to hear the opinions of a probation officer or volunteer probation officer, or a technical official in the Ministry of Justice or law instructor who works at a juvenile classification home with regard to treatment of the juvenile, the probation office or the juvenile classification home must be notified of that fact and of a date and time, etc. to hear the opinions.

Article 27The hearing and decision may be conducted outside the court as well.

Article 28(1)A hearing and decision is conducted in the assembled presence of judges and court clerks.

(2)Except in a case in which the permission of the presiding judge is obtained, a family court investigating officer must be present at the hearing and decision.

(3)If the juvenile does not appear on the hearing and decision date, the hearing and decision must not be conducted.

(4)An attendant may be present at the hearing and decision.

(5)The family court must notify the attendant of the hearing and decision date.

Article 29The presiding judge may permit a relative or a teacher of the juvenile or other person whom the presiding judge finds to be appropriate to be present at the hearing and decision.

Article 29-2At the beginning of the first hearing and decision date, the presiding judge must explain to the juvenile in an understandable way that the juvenile will not be forced to make a statement, inform the juvenile of the summary of the grounds for the hearing and decision, and give the juvenile an opportunity to make a statement concerning those procedures. In this case, if the juvenile has an attendant, the presiding judge must give the attendant an opportunity to make a statement concerning the grounds for the hearing and decision.

Article 29-3The juvenile, the custodian, and the attendant may request a family court for the examination of witnesses, expert examination, inspection, or other examination of evidence.

Article 29-4In the course of the hearing and decision, the attendant may question the juvenile with notification to the presiding judge.

Article 29-5If a family court makes the ruling referred to in Article 21 of the Act and then receives documents, evidence, or other material for reference from a public prosecutor, a director of a probation office, a judicial police officer, a police officer, a prefectural governor, or a director of a child consultation center concerning the case for which the ruling is made, the family court must promptly notify the attendant of that fact.

Article 30The juvenile, the custodian, the attendant, the family court investigating officer, the probation officer, the volunteer probation officer, the technical official in the Ministry of Justice, and the law instructor may state opinions in the course of the hearing and decision after obtaining permission of the presiding judge.

Article 30-2The family court must clarify the case for which the public prosecutor is required to participate in the hearing and decision in the main text of a ruling requiring participation of the public prosecutor.

Article 30-3(1)If a juvenile does not have an attendant who is an attorney at law in the case for which the family court makes a ruling requiring participation of a public prosecutor, the family court must require the juvenile without delay to respond to the family court as to whether the juvenile intends to appoint an attendant who is an attorney at law within a certain period designated by the family court.

(2)If the juvenile does not respond or appoint an attendant who is an attorney at law within the period referred to in the preceding paragraph, the presiding judge must immediately appoint an attendant.

(3)The attendant to be appointed by the family court pursuant to the provisions of Article 22-3, paragraphs (1) or (2) of the Act or Article 22-5, paragraph (2) of the Act must be appointed by the presiding judge from among attorneys at law who belong to a bar association within a jurisdictional district of the family court; provided, however, that, if there is no attorney at law who is able to act as an attendant for a case for which an attendant is appointed within the jurisdictional district or if there are any other unavoidable circumstances, an attendant may be appointed from among attorneys at law who belong to a bar association within a jurisdictional district of another family court adjacent to the family court or from among other appropriate attorneys at law.

(4)If the presiding judge appoints an attendant pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph, the presiding judge must immediately notify the juvenile and the custodian and the public prosecutor (limited to the case for which a ruling requiring participation of the public prosecutor is made) of that fact. In this case, the presiding judge must also immediately notify the Japan Legal Support Center of that fact.

(5)The clear indication referred to in Article 22-5, paragraph (3) of the Act, must be made in writing to the family court.

Article 30-4(1)If a family court makes a ruling requiring participation of the public prosecutor and finds it to be appropriate, the family court may have the public prosecutor and an attendant who is an attorney at law appear at the family court and discuss matters necessary for proceedings of the hearing and decision in order to find the facts of delinquency of the case for which the ruling is made (referring to the facts of delinquency referred to in the proviso to Article 17, paragraph (4) of the Act; the same applies below).

(2)The family court may have a member of the panel of judges have the discussion referred to in the preceding paragraph.

(3)The family court may order the court clerk to make an inquiry to the public prosecutor or an attendant who is an attorney at law concerning matters necessary for proceedings of the hearing and decision.

Article 30-5Notwithstanding the provisions of Article 7, paragraph (1), in the case for which a ruling requiring participation of the public prosecutor is made, the public prosecutor may inspect the case record or evidence of the juvenile protection case to the extent needed to contribute to finding the facts of delinquency of the case.

Article 30-6(1)In the case for which a ruling requiring participation of the public prosecutor is made, the public prosecutor may be present at the hearing and decision (including the hearing and decision in which a ruling to close a case is announced) and attend proceedings of the examination of witnesses, expert examination, interpretation, translation, inspection, seizure, and search conducted on a day other than the hearing and decision date to the extent needed to contribute to finding the facts of delinquency of the case.

(2)If the family court makes a ruling requiring participation of the public prosecutor, the family court must notify the public prosecutor of the hearing and decision date when the family court conducts proceedings to find the facts of delinquency of the case for which the ruling is made, and the hearing and decision date when the family court announces a ruling to close the case.

Article 30-7In the case for which a ruling requiring participation of the public prosecutor is made, the public prosecutor may make a request to the family court for examination of witnesses, expert examination, inspection, or other examination of evidence to the extent needed to contribute to finding the facts of delinquency of the case.

Article 30-8(1)In the case for which a ruling requiring participation of the public prosecutor is made, the public prosecutor may examine a witness, an expert witness, an interpreter, and a translator with notification to the presiding judge to the extent needed to contribute to finding the facts of delinquency of the case.

(2)In the case for which a ruling requiring participation of the public prosecutor is made, the public prosecutor may question the juvenile in the course of the hearing and decision with notification to the presiding judge to the extent needed to contribute to finding the facts of delinquency of the case.

Article 30-9(1)If the family court makes a ruling requiring participation of the public prosecutor and then receives documents, evidence, or other material for reference from the juvenile, the custodian, or the attendant concerning the case for which the ruling is made, the family court must promptly notify the public prosecutor of that fact.

(2)If a family court makes a ruling requiring participation of the public prosecutor and if a hearing of opinions under the main clause of Article 9-2 of the Act is conducted, the family court must promptly notify the public prosecutor of that fact.

Article 30-10In the case for which a ruling requiring participation of the public prosecutor is made, the public prosecutor may state opinions in the course of the hearing and decision after obtaining permission of the presiding judge to the extent needed to contribute to finding the facts of delinquency of the case.

Article 30-11(1)The following information must be clarified when making the request referred to in Article 22-4, paragraph (1) of the Act:

(2)Concerning the request referred to in Article 22-4, paragraph (1) of the Act, it is not permissible for a person other than an attorney at law to become a representative.

Article 30-12If a family court permits observation of a hearing and decision pursuant to the provisions of Article 22-4, paragraph (1) of the Act, the family court must promptly notify the requester, the public prosecutor in the case for which a ruling requiring participation of the public prosecutor is made, and the attendant who is an attorney at law in the case for which a juvenile has the attendant of that fact and the hearing and decision date; and, if the family court rejects the observation, the family court must notify them of that fact.

Article 30-13(1)The following information must be clarified when making the request referred to in Article 22-6, paragraph (1) of the Act:

(2)With regard to the request referred to in Article 22-6, paragraph (1) of the Act and receipt of an explanation under the provisions of the same paragraph, it is not permissible for a person other than an attorney at law to become a representative.

Article 30-14The family court may have a court clerk or a family court investigating officer provide an explanation under the provisions of Article 22-6, paragraph (1) of the Act.

Article 31(1)If the presiding judge finds it to be necessary for a fair hearing and decision, the presiding judge may take appropriate measures, such as restraining from speaking up or ordering those other than the juvenile to leave the hearing and decision room.

(2)If any situation which is found to harm the juvenile's emotional stability occurs, the presiding judge may order the juvenile to leave the hearing and decision room while the situation persists.

Article 32If the judge considers that there are grounds for which any doubt may arise on fairness of the hearing and decision, the judge must recuse themselves from execution of their duty.

Article 33(1)Proceedings on the hearing and decision date are recorded in the hearing and decision record.

(2)The following information or other important matters relating to the hearing and decision are recorded in the hearing and decision record:

(3)If the court clerk obtains permission from the presiding judge, the court clerk is dispensed from preparing the hearing and decision record or may omit part of the matters stated from items (i) through (vii) of the preceding paragraph; provided, however, that this does not apply to a case in which an appeal or a motion under the provisions of Article 32-4, paragraph (1) of the Act (referred to below as the "request for acceptance of an appeal") is filed.

Article 34(1)The court clerk must affix the court clerk's signature and seal to the hearing and decision record, and the presiding judge must affix the presiding judge's seal of approval to it as well.

(2)If the presiding judge is unable to affix the presiding judge's seal of approval, one of the other judges must affix the judge's seal of approval and indicate the grounds for such in a supplementary note; provided, however, that if no judge is able to affix the judge's seal of approval, it is sufficient for a court clerk to indicate the grounds for that in a supplementary note and affix the court clerk's signature and seal.

(3)If the court clerk is to affix the court clerk's signature and seal pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1) and the proviso to the preceding paragraph, the court clerk may affix the court clerk's seal next to their name in place of affixing the court clerk's signature and seal.

(4)If the court clerk is unable to affix the court clerk's signature and seal, it is sufficient for the presiding judge to indicate the grounds for that matter in a supplementary note and affix the presiding judge's seal of approval.

Article 35(1)To render a ruling for the disposition for rehabilitation of an adjudicated delinquent, the purpose of the disposition for rehabilitation of an adjudicated delinquent must be explained with consideration to the juvenile and the custodian concerned in a manner that can be fully understood.

(2)In the case referred to in the preceding paragraph, it must be notified that an appeal may be filed by submitting a written motion for the appeal to the court within two weeks.

Article 36In order to make a ruling for the disposition for rehabilitation of an adjudicated delinquent in the case of a juvenile who has committed a crime, the fact constituting the crime and the penal statute applicable to that fact must be specified.

Article 37(1)To make the ruling referred to in Article 24, paragraph (1), item (i) of the Act or Article 64, paragraph (1), item (i) or (ii) of the Act, the probation office in which the juvenile is to be under probation is to be designated; and in order to make the ruling referred to in Article 24, paragraph (1), item (iii) of the Act or Article 64, paragraph (1), item (iii) of the Act, the type of juvenile training school to which the juvenile is to be referred (limited to those listed from Article 4, paragraph (1), items (i) through (iii) of the Juvenile Training School Act (Act No.58 of 2014)) must be designated.

(2)If the ruling referred to in Article 24, paragraph (1), item (i) of the Act or Article 64, paragraph (1), item (i) or (ii) of the Act is made, notification of that fact must promptly be made to the director of the probation office; if the ruling referred to in Article 24, paragraph (1), item (ii) of the Act is made, notification must be made to the director of a child consultation center; and if the ruling referred to in item (iii) of the same paragraph or Article 64, paragraph (1), item (iii) is made, notification must be made to the director of a juvenile classification home.

(3)When providing the director of the probation office with the notification referred to in the preceding paragraph, notification of opinions relating to special matters with which the person who is to be under probation must comply during the period of the probation must also be made.

Article 37-2(1)When providing the notification referred to in paragraph (2) of the preceding Article, a written opinion relating to treatment of the juvenile and the juvenile investigation report or other reference documents relating to the treatment of the juvenile (referred to below as "reference documents") may be delivered.

(2)The reference documents must be handled in compliance with the order of the family court.

(3)If the family court finds it to be necessary for execution of its duty, the family court may demand the return of the reference documents at any time.

(4)If the disposition for rehabilitation of an adjudicated delinquent is terminated or revoked, the reference documents must promptly be returned to the family court.

Article 37-3Execution of a ruling for confiscation and disposal of a confiscated article is conducted in accordance with the provisions relating to execution of a judgment of confiscation and treatment of a confiscated object in the Code of Criminal Procedure.

Article 38(1)The family court that made the ruling for the disposition for rehabilitation of an adjudicated delinquent must have interest in the juvenile's behavior and endeavor to observe or have a family court investigating officer observe the juvenile's performance at any time.

(2)If the family court that made a ruling for the disposition for rehabilitation of an adjudicated delinquent finds it to be necessary, the family court may make a recommendation to a probation office, a children's self-reliance support facility, a foster home or a juvenile training school with regard to treatment of the juvenile.

Article 39If the family court has a director of a probation office conduct measures for modification of a family and other environments, the family court must make notification of the results of an investigation concerning the environment and order necessary matters.

Article 40(1)In order to make a ruling for placing a juvenile under observation by a family court investigating officer, a family court investigating officer is to be designated. In this case, the observation period may be specified.

(2)If the family court establishes a compliance rule and gives an order to implement it, the family court must instruct the rule in a concrete and clear manner and endeavor to ensure that the juvenile is prepared to comply with it voluntarily.

(3)If the family court determines the conditions and delivers the juvenile to the custodian under the conditions, the family court must instruct the conditions necessary for the custody of the juvenile to the custodian in a concrete manner.

(4)If the family court entrusts correctional guidance of the juvenile to an appropriate institution, organization, or individual, the family court must instruct matters that serve as a useful reference for the correctional guidance of the juvenile to the entity or person to be entrusted with the correctional guidance of the juvenile.

(5)The provisions of Article 13 apply mutatis mutandis to observations by the family court investigating officer.

(6)The ruling for placing a juvenile under observation by a family court investigating officer may be revoked or amended at any time.

Article 41The writ of summons for execution of a ruling must include the name, age, and residence of the juvenile concerned, the type of the ruling to be executed, a date, time, and place to appear, and a statement to the effect that an escort warrant may be issued if the juvenile concerned does not appear without justifiable grounds; and the presiding judge must affix the presiding judge's seal next to their name on the writ of summons.

Article 42(1)The escort warrant for execution of a ruling must include the name, age, and residence of the juvenile concerned, the type of the ruling to be executed, the place to be escorted, and the date when the warrant is issued; and the presiding judge or the judge who issues the escort warrant, must affix the judge's seal next to their name.

(2)If the presiding judge issues the escort warrant referred to in Article 26, paragraph (4) of the Act pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (6) of the same Article, the presiding judge must include that fact in the escort warrant.

(3)The provisions of Article 18 apply mutatis mutandis to execution of the escort warrant referred to in paragraph (1).

Article 42-2(1)The following matters must be clarified when making the request referred to in the main clause of Article 31-2, paragraph (1) of the Act:

(2)Concerning the request referred to in the main clause of Article 31-2, paragraph (1) of the Act and receipt of the notification referred to in the main clause of the same paragraph, it is not permissible for a person other than an attorney at law to become a representative.

Article 42-3Notwithstanding the provisions of Article 7, paragraph (1), in the case for which the family court makes a ruling ordering a juvenile to bear court costs, the public prosecutor may inspect the case record or evidence of the juvenile protection case to the extent needed to execute the ruling.

Article 43(1)In order to file an appeal, a written motion is to be submitted to the court of prior instance.

(2)The written motion referred to in the preceding paragraph must clearly and succinctly specify the reasons for the appeal.

Article 44(1)In order for a juvenile who is in a juvenile classification home, a children's self-reliance support facility, a foster home, or a juvenile training school to file an appeal, the juvenile may submit a written motion via the director of the facilities or the director's deputy. In such a case, if the juvenile submits the written motion to the director of the facilities or the director's deputy within the period for filing the appeal, the appeal is deemed to have been filed within the period for filing the appeal.

(2)In the case referred to in the preceding paragraph, the director of the facilities or the director's deputy must deliver the written motion to the court of prior instance and notify the court of the date when the director or the director's deputy received it.

(3)Except in the case referred to in the first sentence of paragraph (1), if the court of prior instance receives a written motion for an appeal against a ruling for the disposition for rehabilitation of an adjudicated delinquent that has been made for a juvenile protection case referred to in the first sentence of the same paragraph, the court of prior instance must promptly notify the director of the facility to which the juvenile is committed or the director's deputy of that fact.

Article 45(1)If the court of prior instance receives a written motion for an appeal, the court of prior instance must promptly deliver it with the case record to the court in charge of appeals.

(2)In the case referred to in the preceding paragraph, the court of prior instance may attach a written opinion to the written motion for an appeal.

Article 45-2(1)If the court of prior instance finds it to be necessary, the court must deliver evidence to the court in charge of appeals.

(2)The court in charge of appeals may demand delivery of evidence.

Article 46If an appeal is filed against a ruling for referral to a children's self-reliance support facility, a foster home, or a juvenile training school, the court of prior instance must notify the court in charge of appeals without delay of the name of the facility to which the juvenile is committed.

Article 46-2If the court of prior instance receives a written motion for an appeal against a ruling for the disposition for rehabilitation of an adjudicated delinquent made for a case in which a ruling requiring participation of the public prosecutor has been made, the court of prior instance must notify the public prosecutor of the fact that the appeal has been made and the reasons for the appeal.

Article 46-3(1)The written motion referred to in the first sentence of Article 32-4, paragraph (2) of the Act must include concrete reasons for the motion for acceptance of the appeal.

(2)The court of prior instance must deliver the case record with the written motion referred to in the preceding paragraph promptly to the high court.

(3)If the court of prior instance receives the written motion referred to in paragraph (1), the court of prior instance must notify the juvenile and the custodian of the fact that a motion for acceptance of an appeal has been filed and the reasons for the motion for acceptance of the appeal.

(4)If the high court makes the ruling referred to in Article 32-4, paragraph (3) of the Act (referred to below as the "ruling for acceptance of an appeal"), the high court, in that ruling, must identify those that it eliminates from among the reasons for the motion for acceptance of an appeal pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (4) of the same Article.

(5)If the ruling for the acceptance of an appeal is made, the court in charge of appeals must notify the juvenile and the custodian of the contents of the ruling.

(6)If a ruling for acceptance of an appeal is made for a motion for acceptance of an appeal against a ruling that has been made for the juvenile protection case referred to in the first sentence of Article 44, paragraph (1), the court in charge of appeals must promptly notify the director of the facility to which the juvenile is committed or the director's agent of that fact.

(7)If the high court receives a motion for acceptance of an appeal and does not accept the case as the court of the appeal, the high court must make a ruling on that matter within the period referred to in Article 32-4, paragraph (5) of the Act.

(8)If the high court makes the ruling referred to in the preceding paragraph, the high court must notify the juvenile and the custodian of that fact.

(9)The provisions of Article 45, paragraph (2), Article 45-2, and Article 46 apply mutatis mutandis to a case in which a motion for acceptance of an appeal is filed. In such a case, the phrase "an appeal" in Article 46 is deemed to be replaced by "a motion for acceptance of an appeal."

Article 46-4(1)The provisions of Article 30-3, paragraphs (1) and (2) apply mutatis mutandis to a case in which a court in charge of appeals appoints an attendant who is an attorney at law (excluding the case referred to in Article 32-5, paragraph (2) of the Act).

(2)The attendant to be appointed by the court in charge of appeals pursuant to the provisions of Article 32-5 of the Act or the provisions of Article 22-3, paragraph (1) of the Act as applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to the provisions of Article 32-6 of the Act must be appointed by the presiding judge from among attorneys at law who belong to a bar association within the jurisdictional district of the family court exercising jurisdiction over an area where the court in charge of appeals is located; provided, however, that, if there is no attorney at law who is able to act as an attendant for a case for which an attendant is appointed within the jurisdictional district or if there are any other unavoidable circumstances, an attendant may be appointed from among attorneys at law who belong to a bar association within the jurisdictional district of another family court adjacent to the family court or from among other appropriate attorneys at law.

(3)Notwithstanding the provisions of the preceding paragraph, if the presiding judge finds it to be particularly necessary for proceedings in the second instance, the presiding judge may appoint an attorney at law who served as an attendant appointed by the court of prior instance as an attendant.

(4)The provisions of Article 30-3, paragraph (4) apply mutatis mutandis to a case in which the presiding judge appoints an attendant pursuant to the provisions of the preceding two paragraphs.

Article 46-5In addition to what is provided for in the preceding Article, the provisions relating to the hearing and decision of the family court apply mutatis mutandis to proceedings in the second instance, unless contrary to the nature of the proceedings in the second instance.

Article 47The ruling for suspending execution of a ruling in prior instance with regard to a case for which an appeal has been filed is to be made by the court of prior instance before the case record arrives at the court in charge of appeals; and it is to be made by the court in charge of appeals after the case record arrives at the court in charge of appeals.

Article 48If the court in charge of appeals makes the ruling referred to in Article 33 of the Act with regard to a case for which the ruling referred to in Article 22-2, paragraph (1) of the Act (including a case as applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to Article 32-6 of the Act) has been made, the court in charge of appeals must notify the public prosecutor of that fact.

Articles 49 and 50Deleted

Article 51(1)If a juvenile is in a children's self-reliance support facility, a foster home, or a juvenile training school in a case in which a ruling to revoke a ruling in prior instance becomes final and binding, the court in charge of appeals must immediately order the director of the facility to refer the juvenile to the family court to which the case has been remanded or transferred.

(2)In the case referred to in the preceding paragraph, the director of the facility must immediately have a staff member belonging to the facility refer the juvenile to the family court to which the case has been remanded or transferred.

Article 52(1)The case remanded or transferred by the court in charge of appeals must be further tried and decided.

(2)In the case referred to in the preceding paragraph, the judge who participated in the ruling in prior instance may not participate in the hearing and decision.

Article 53Deleted

Article 54The provisions of Articles 43 through 46-2, Articles 46-4 through 48, and Articles 51 and 52 apply mutatis mutandis to the appeal referred to in the main clause of Article 35, paragraph (1) of the Act. In this case, the phrase "a ruling for the disposition for rehabilitation of an adjudicated delinquent that are made for a case in which a ruling requiring participation of the public prosecutor has been made" in Article 46-2 is deemed to be replaced by "the ruling referred to in Article 33 of the Act for a case in which the ruling referred to in Article 22-2, paragraph (1) of the Act (including a case as applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to Article 32-6 of the Act) has been made"; the phrase "Article 32-6 of the Act" in Article 48 is deemed to be replaced by "Article 32-6 of the Act (including a case as applied pursuant to the first sentence of Article 35, paragraph (2) of the Act)"; and the phrase "Article 33 of the Act" in Article 48 is deemed to be replaced by "Article 33 of the Act as applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to the first sentence of Article 35, paragraph (2) of the Act".

Article 55Deleted

Article 56(1)The request for a return warrant under the provisions of Article 89, paragraph (3) of the Juvenile Training School Act (including a case as applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to Article 90, paragraph (6) of the same Act and Article 133, paragraph (3) of the same Act) must be made in writing.

(2)The following information must be included in the written request for a return warrant.

(3)The written request for a return warrant must accompany its copy.

(4)In order to request a return warrant, materials establishing the grounds for bringing back the juvenile must be provided.

(5)If the judge who receives a request for a return warrant finds it to be necessary, the judge may request the director of the juvenile training school or staff member of the juvenile training school who has made the request for a return warrant to appear at the court and hear their statements or request them to submit documents or any other articles.

Article 57(1)The return warrant is to include the information listed in the following items; and a judge is to affix the judge's seal next to their name.

(2)The validity of a return warrant is to be thirty days from the date when the return warrant is issued; provided, however, that if the judge who receives the request of the return warrant finds it to be appropriate, a validity exceeding thirty days may be specified.

(3)The return warrant may be prepared by the use of a copy of a written request for the return warrant and the contents of the request.

(4)Two or more return warrants may be issued upon request.

(5)The provisions from Article 18, paragraphs (1) through (3) apply mutatis mutandis to the returning of a juvenile by using the return warrant.

(6)In order for a judge to reject a request for a return warrant, it is sufficient that the judge include that fact in a copy of the written request, affix the judge's seal next to the judge's name, and deliver it to the person who made the request.

Article 58The preceding two paragraphs apply mutatis mutandis to a request for a return warrant and an warrant issued at the request under the provisions of Article 78, paragraph (3) of the Juvenile Classification Home Act (Act No. 59 of 2014)(including the case as applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to Article 79, paragraph (6) of the same Act).