The Ministry of Justice (法務省, Hōmu-shō)[1] is one of the cabinet level ministries of the Japanese government. It is responsible for the judicial system, correctional services, and household, property and corporate registrations, and immigration control. It also serves as the government's legal representatives.
At the top of the ministry is the Minister of Justice, a member of the Cabinet, who is chosen by the Prime Minister from among members of the National Diet.
The Ministry of Justice was established in 1871 as the Ministry of Justice (司法省, Shihōshō). It acquired its present name under the post-war Constitution of Japan in 1952. Its responsibilities include administration of Japan's judicial system and the penal system. It represents the Japanese government in litigation, and is also responsible for maintaining the official registers of households, resident aliens, real estate and corporations.
The Ministry of Justice is organized in seven bureaus:[2]
The MOJ has jurisdiction over the National Bar Examination Commission, the Public Security Examination Commission, and the Public Security Intelligence Agency. Although the Public Prosecutors Office are administratively part of the Ministry of Justice, they are independent of the authority of the Minister of Justice.[3]
The MOJ also oversees the Immigration Services Agency.[4]
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