Article 1The mission of volunteer probation officers is to contribute to the welfare of individuals and the public by helping persons who have committed crimes and juvenile delinquents reform and rehabilitate themselves, while endeavoring to raise public awareness for the prevention of crime, improve the social environment, and promote the activities of local residents, thereby achieving a safe local community where people can live with peace of mind, with a spirit of social service.

Article 2 (1)Volunteer probation officers are assigned to areas in a prefecture designated by the Minister of Justice (referred to below as "probation districts").

(2)The total number of volunteer probation officers does not exceed 52,500 throughout the country.

(3)The set number of volunteer probation officers in each probation district is determined by the Minister of Justice in consideration of the population, economy, the status of crimes, and other factors of the district.

(4)The authority of the Minister of Justice as prescribed in paragraph (1) and the preceding paragraph may be entrusted to the regional parole board.

Article 3 (1)Volunteer probation officers are to be appointed by the Minister of Justice from among persons who satisfy all of the conditions stated in the following items:

(2)The Minister of Justice may entrust the power for delegation stated in the preceding paragraph to the chairperson of the regional parole board.

(3)The commission referred to in the preceding two paragraphs is to be made from among the persons recommended by the director of the probation office, while giving consideration to ensuring the diversity of volunteer probation officers, in light of the importance of diverse volunteer probation officers engaging in their duties to the best of their individuality and abilities.

(4)The director of the probation office must, when recommending the persons stated in the preceding paragraph, hear the opinions of the volunteer probation officers' screening commission in advance.

(5)The director of the probation office is to conduct public relations concerning the significance and content of the duties of volunteer probation officers, and in making the recommendation referred to in paragraph (3), endeavor to contribute to securing a diverse range of human resources by obtaining cooperation from the relevant administrative bodies, local governments, or private organizations or individuals.

Article 4Any person who falls under any of the following items must not become a volunteer probation officer:

Article 5 (1)Volunteer probation officers' screening commissions are established at the probation offices.

(2)A volunteer probation officers' screening commission is composed of a maximum of 13 members (a maximum of 15 in the case of the volunteer probation officers' screening commission established at the probation office corresponding to the jurisdictional district of the Tokyo District Court) and one member is the chairperson.

(3)No salary is given to any member of the volunteer probation officers' screening commission.

(4)In addition to what is provided for in this Act, the organization, jurisdictional affairs, members, and administrative procedures of the volunteer probation officers' screening commission are provided by Ministry of Justice Order.

Article 6The term of office of volunteer probation officers is three years provided, however, that this does not preclude reappointment.

Article 7 (1)Volunteer probation officers are to perform their duties within the probation district in which they are placed provided, however, that if they are particularly ordered to do so by the regional parole board or the director of the probation office, or if it is particularly necessary, they may perform their duties outside the district.

(2)When a volunteer probation officer performs their duties outside the probation district to which they have been assigned pursuant to the provisions of the proviso to the preceding paragraph (except when they are specially ordered by the regional parole board or the director of the probation office), they must report that fact to the regional parole board or the director of the probation office in advance or without delay after performing their duties.

Article 8 (1)A volunteer probation officer is to engage in the affairs under the jurisdiction of the regional parole board or the probation office, as designated by the director of the regional parole board or the probation office, and is also to engage in the following affairs under the jurisdiction of the probation office, in accordance with the plan of the volunteer probation officer approved by the director of the probation office:

Article 9 (1)Volunteer probation officers must be conscious of their mission, make efforts to develop a noteworthy character and broad vision and acquire the knowledge and techniques necessary for performance of their duties, while carrying out their duties with a positive attitude.

(2)Volunteer probation officers must respect the confidentiality of the relevant parties relating to the personal affairs which they have come to know in the course of their duties, and must strive to maintain the good name of their position.

Article 10 (1)Volunteer probation officers are not paid remuneration.

(2)Volunteer probation officers may, pursuant to the provisions of Ministry of Justice Order and within the limits of the budget, be reimbursed for the expenses needed for the performance of their duties, in whole or in part.

Article 11 (1)If a volunteer probation officer has come to fall under any of the items of Article 4, the Minister of Justice must discharge the volunteer probation officer.

(2)When a volunteer probation officer has come to fall under any of the following items, the Minister of Justice may discharge the volunteer probation officer at the request of the director of the probation office:

(3)The director of the probation office must, when making the request pursuant to the provisions stated in the preceding paragraph, hear the opinions of the volunteer probation officers' screening commission in advance.

(4)Discharge pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1) or (2) may not be conducted unless the volunteer probation officer has been given an explanation of the reasons for the discharge and an opportunity for explanation provided, however, that this does not apply to discharge on the grounds that the volunteer probation officer has come to fall under Article 4, item (i).

Article 12 (1)Volunteer probation officers organize volunteer probation officers' associations for each of the probation district in which they are placed.

(2)The duties of the volunteer probation officers' association are to conduct the following affairs:

Article 13 (1)The volunteer probation officers' associations are to organize a federation of volunteer probation officers' associations for each prefecture provided, however, that in Hokkaido, the federation is to be organized for each area specified by the Minister of Justice.

(2)The duties of the federation of volunteer probation officers' associations are to conduct the following affairs:

Article 14The director of the probation office is to provide information, advice, and other necessary support to volunteer probation officers' associations and federations of volunteer probation officers' associations for smooth and effective performance of the duties of volunteer probation officers' associations prescribed in Article 12, paragraph (2) and the duties of federations of volunteer probation officers' associations prescribed in paragraph (2) of the preceding Article.

Article 15In addition to the matters provided in this Act, any other necessary matters concerning the volunteer probation officers' associations and the federations of volunteer probation officers' associations are provided by Ministry of Justice Order.

Article 16In order to develop an environment in which volunteer probation officers can smoothly and effectively perform their duties in a safe and secure manner, the national government is to secure suitable places for volunteer probation officers to conduct interviews, develop a support system for volunteer probation officers, and take other necessary measures.

Article 17The Minister of Justice must commend volunteer probation officers, volunteer probation officers' associations, and federations of volunteer probation officers' associations that have rendered distinguished service in the course of their duties, and must exercise care to make their accomplishments known to the public.

Article 18 (1)In light of the fact that the activities of volunteer probation officers, volunteer probation officers' associations, and federations of volunteer probation officers' associations are to assist persons who have committed crimes and juvenile delinquents to reform and rehabilitate themselves, as well as to prevent crime, and contribute to the safety of the local community and the improvement of the welfare of residents, local governments must endeavor to provide necessary cooperation for the activities of volunteer probation officers, volunteer probation officers' associations, and federations of volunteer probation officers' associations in accordance with the regional conditions of the local governments.

(2)If a local government is requested by the national government to provide necessary cooperation for the implementation of the measures referred to in Article 16, the local government must endeavor to respond to the request.

Article 19Employers (excluding the national government and local governments) must endeavor to develop an environment that makes it easier for employees to take leave to perform volunteer probation officers' duties, and to take other necessary measures, so that employees can smoothly and effectively perform volunteer probation officers' duties.

Article 20A worker must not be dismissed or otherwise treated disadvantageously on the grounds that the worker has taken leave to perform volunteer probation officers' duties, or that the worker is, attempted to become, or was formerly a volunteer probation officer.

Article 21Procedures for the implementation of this Act and other detailed regulations necessary for its enforcement are specified by Ministry of Justice Order.