Japan’s Ministry of Justice to Revise Treatment Guidelines to Strengthen Support for Developmental Disabilities in Juvenile Training Schools

From Kyodo

September 17 2023

TOKYO – The Ministry of Justice has decided to revise the treatment guidelines for staff members in juvenile training schools in the next fiscal year in order to strengthen support for juveniles with developmental disabilities. Many juveniles have developmental challenges due to developmental disabilities or abuse, but without appropriate support, they often become delinquent. The new guidelines will provide more guidance to promote the growth of these juveniles according to their individual characteristics and help them smoothly adjust to life in society after discharge from the hospital.

According to those involved, the current guidelines explain the characteristics of each developmental disorder, for example, autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are “not good at reading other people’s feelings”. The guidelines also state that children with ASD are prone to delinquency due to stress caused by lack of understanding by those around them, and that guidance that develops the child’s strengths is effective.

The revised edition takes a step beyond the current edition, which focuses on deepening understanding of disabilities, and introduces effective communication methods that lead to growth, citing actual examples of approaches that led to changes in juveniles. It also reflects the results of “developmental counseling,” in which outside specialists listen to the juvenile’s story and offer advice at juvenile training schools.