This fall, the Justice Ministry will begin notifying people victimized by crimes, in advance if necessary, of the prison release date of perpetrators and where they will live after their release, Justice Minister Mayumi Moriyama said Tuesday.
The ministry will revise the existing system to provide information on perpetrators to victims to protect them from possible retaliation by convicted criminals. Relatives and lawyers of victims as well as witnesses will also have access to the information, ministry officials said. Under the current system, which was introduced in March, people victimized by crimes are given information on the perpetrators' whereabouts and release dates after they have finished their sentences.
Under the new system, to be introduced Oct. 1, victims would be informed about the approximate release date one to two months beforehand. The notification would occur only when authorities deem it necessary based on the type of crime and the perpetrators' behavior in prison, the officials said.
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