Fukuoka to require child sex crime offenders to report addresses

February 21, 2019

Fukuoka--The prefectural assembly of Fukuoka, southwestern Japan, approved Thursday an ordinance obliging people released from prison after serving time for committing sex offences against children under 18 to report their addresses.

The measure is designed to prevent reoffending by such former inmates and support their rehabilitation into society.

Fukuoka is the country's second prefecture to adopt such an ordinance after the first one came into force in Osaka, western Japan, in 2012.

Fukuoka's ordinance covers crimes such as forcible intercourse, indecent assault and child prostitution.

Such former inmates are required to notify the prefectural government of their names, addresses, contact details, charges and other information, if they live in Fukuoka within five years of completing their prison terms.

Those who violate the ordinance without legitimate reasons will be fined up to 50,000 yen.

The ordinance stipulates that the information obtained should not be used for any purpose other than for taking support measures for former inmates. Jiji Press