A Consideration of improvement measures for Japan’s juvenile medical treatment facility

This study analyzes the current operational status and improvement measures of juvenile medical treatment facilities in Japan, and based on this, considers the implications for the Korean juvenile protection system. Recently, both Korea and Japan have seen an increase in delinquency among juveniles with mental illnesses, leading to a growing need for systematic responses. In Japan, juveniles requiring mental and physical treatment are housed in separate juvenile medical treatment facilities, where correctional education is provided alongside medical treatment.Therefore, this paper first examines the current state of juvenile delinquency in Japan, as well as the system and operation of its medical juvenile correctional facilities. It then comprehensively reviews several challenges pointed out regarding the operation of these facilities, such as limitations in providing treatment, the necessity of support for social reintegration, and the lack of victim support.The analysis reveals that practical difficulties exist in concurrently providing correctional education and specialized medical care within juvenile medical treatment facilities. Furthermore, various challenges remain, including supporting juveniles' social integration after discharge, linking with local communities, and ensuring the effectiveness of victim support systems. It is anticipated that this discussion on the current status and challenges of Japan's juvenile medical treatment facilities will offer significant insights into the justification and concrete realization of establishing much-needed specialized juvenile medical treatment facilities in Korea's juvenile protection system.