Legal foundations of prison chaplaincy in the Japanese penitentiary system

This article presents a comprehensive analysis of the legal and institutional foundations of prison chaplaincy in Japan’s penitentiary system. The study focuses on the historical evolution of religious guidance in correctional institutions — from its origins during the Meiji era (1868—1912), through postwar reforms, to current practices, particularly within the framework of the National Federation of Prison Chaplains. The article explores the legal codification of religious activities in places of detention, analyzing key legislative acts that define the rights and functions of religious instructors. Particular emphasis is placed on the contributions of monks from the True Pure Land tradition (Jôdo Shinshû), who played a leading role in the establishment and expansion of prison chaplaincy. These monks not only initiated the practice but also worked systematically to institutionalize it. The article examines how Buddhist schools sought to preserve their social relevance and maintain integration within the state system by utilizing religious instruction in prisons as a continuation of their traditional public functions. Attention is given to the sectarian monopolization of this activity and to the conflict surrounding the appointment of the Christian reformer Tomeoka Kôsuke at Sugamo Prison — a pivotal moment in the broader debate over religious policy in the penal sphere. A separate section is dedicated to the work of Ogawa Shigejirô, a prominent reformer of Japan’s juvenile justice system, who significantly contributed to the adaptation of the German penitentiary model, which combined religious instruction, education, and discipline. His concept of “protective education” formed the basis of the Prison Act (1908), which institutionalized moral and ethical rehabilitation as a core element of penal practice. The article also underscores the continuing significance of spiritual and moral guidance as a distinct component of Japan’s correctional philosophy. It highlights the contemporary collaboration between religious organizations — primarily through the National Federation of Prison Chaplains — and state institutions under the constitutional principle of secularism, reflecting the ongoing evolution of Buddhism’s social role in modern Japanese society.

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