What happens if a minor commits a crime in Japan?

Can a 17 year old go to jail in Japan?

In Japan, the age of criminal responsibility is 20 years old for adults and 14 years old for minors (juveniles). Depending on various factors such as severity/nature/context/circumstances surrounding offense committed; prior convictions; mental health issues etc., 17 year olds may go to jail. Alternatives to jail time are also available such as fines, community service orders, probationary supervision orders etc., and sentencing guidelines tend to be more lenient towards juveniles than adults due to their young age and lack experience with the criminal justice system.

Question about Japan

Can a 16 year old go to jail in Japan?

In Japan, the legal age of adulthood is 20 years old and there is a separate criminal justice system for juveniles under 18. This article explores whether or not a 16 year old can go to jail in Japan, what factors determine the punishment of a 16-year-old offender, and what consequences they may face. Generally, rehabilitation measures are preferred over harsher punishments such as detention centers or prison sentences. Factors taken into consideration when deciding on an appropriate punishment include severity/nature of offense committed, prior criminal record (if any), mental state/capacity at time offense was committed, potential risk posed by offender, victim impact statement etc.