This study aimed to examine the experiences of bereaved families of victims of traffic accidents. It also investigated the functions and issues of support groups (SGs) and their efficacy as a medium- to long-term psychological support method for bereaved families. Eight bereaved families of victims of traffic accidents participating in SGs were interviewed. Their behavior was analyzed using the grounded theory approach. Twelve categories and model diagrams were generated. As part of the experience process of the bereaved families participating in the SG, we observed a gradual decline and recovery of the mind and body, the influence of active activities, the broadening and deepening of one’s perspective, and the conflict of heterogeneity and the process of enduring it. Regarding the functions of SG, the participants perceived SGs as a place where they can feel safe, enrich their daily lives, and change their mind. Furthermore, the findings highlight the role of SG organizers in helping bereaved families recognize their heterogeneity and cope with their loss independently.

This study reports the victim support by attorney specialized in victim support and the police psychologist for the surviving family of juvenile homicide, from immediate intervention after the case occurred through the juvenile trial, the lay judge trial, and the dismissal of appeal. We examined how victim support worked along with criminal trial proceedings in juvenile trial. Since the psychological state of the surviving family had been changing for progress of criminal trial, considering with the psychological state, the police psychologist assisted to sort himself out, and the attorney supported him on Statement of Opinion. By this collaborative victim support, the surviving family were able to state his thoughts and feelings by each stage of criminal trial proceedings and represent them to society. As a result, it is inferred that the process of participating trials facilitated the surviving family to convert internal narrative which is the psychological state occurring inside of him, to external narrative which is expressing to society. Therefore this process led the motivation to live on for the surviving family. Furthermore, such as this case which the offender sentenced to death row, we have to consider psychological reaction of the surviving family by execution.

Integrated resorts, including legal casinos will be introduced in Japan soon. This study investigated the relevant factors associated with the fear of weakening security and attitude by introducing casinos in Japan. A survey was conducted with 1,505 Japanese adults (748 women and 757 men) who completed a web-based questionnaire that measured their levels of fear owing to the weakening security and attitude toward introducing casinos, problems owing to gambling, gambling-related cognitions, critical thinking disposition, fear of crime, and Big Five personality traits. Gambling-related cognitions, critical thinking disposition, fear of crime, and conscientiousness were significant predictors of the fear of weakening security among women. Gambling-related cognitions and fear of crime were significant predictors among men. Fear of crime, extraversion, agreeableness, and conscientiousness were significant predictors of the attitude toward introducing casinos among women; gambling-related cognitions and fear of crime were significant predictors among men.

Existing theoretical research suggests that multiple variables mediate the relationship between punitiveness, defined as an individual’s attitude toward harsher punishment, and late modern anxieties, resulting from the late-modernization of society. Dichotomous thinking is regarded as partly responsible for strengthened punitiveness in theoretical research and has proven to be related to punitiveness in empirical research. Nevertheless, its mediating role has not been sufficiently addressed. In this context, we hypothesized that the relationship between punitiveness and late modern anxieties is mediated by dichotomous thinking. Questionnaires were distributed via a web survey company. Two hundred fifty-five valid responses were obtained. The study results showed a significant indirect effect of late modern anxieties on punitiveness via dichotomous thinking. Thus, the hypothesis was supported. Additionally, indirect effects were significant even when the subcategories of late modern anxieties and punitiveness were included in the model separately. Finally, the study’s theoretical and practical implications are discussed.

This study examined the changes in the score of social skills, self-esteem, and basic fundamental work competencies —including the ability to take initiative, think thoroughly, and work collaboratively—of 352 inmates (300 males and 52 females) with a low-risk of recidivism in two Private Finance Initiative prisons in Japan. Scores from pre and post-vocational training were compared. A two-way repeated measures ANOVA, segmented by Time (Pre-training vs. Post-training) and Gender (Male vs. Female), was conducted for each dependent variable. Results revealed that inmates had significantly higher scores in fundamental social skills after the vocational training. Moreover, scores across all three basic work competencies—initiative-taking, thorough thinking, and teamwork—demonstrated significant changes at post-training. A distinct change in initiative-taking was especially evident among female inmates. This study suggested that vocational training in prisons may effectively improve inmates’ essential social skills and basic fundamental work competencies, preparing them for the workforce.

There have been many shocking shooting incidents in the history of crime in Japan. However, there are almost no empirical studies of shootings in Japan. In this study, we collected detailed information on 833 shootings, occurring from 1989 to 2016, and conducted multiple correspondence analysis and cluster analysis. We extracted two dimensions: relatedness to organized crime group, and object of the shooting (“person” versus “object”). Using these dimensions, we classified shootings in Japan into three types: gang-related high person shooting, gang-related high object shooting, and gang-related low person shooting. We found that the characteristics of the crime and the degree of human damage differed among these three types. The results of this study will increase our understanding of shooting incidents in Japan and improve our ability to predict future shootings. This knowledge will contribute to measures to prevent shootings.

This study aims to examine the impact on recidivism of the concordance level between the characteristics of ideal ibasho (a place where you can feel at home, being oneself) perceived as important by prisoners and the actual sense of ibasho obtained prior to becoming imprisoned. The subjects were 123 male prisoners categorized into four clusters according to the characteristics of ibasho they valued. Furthermore, the subjects were classified into three groups of high, medium, low based on the concordance level with the actual sense of ibasho. Comparison of the recidivism rates by each characteristic showed that the groups that emphasized the ‘sense of acceptance’ and ‘mental stability’ of ibasho had lower recidivism rates than the low concordance level group. The group emphasizing ‘free-spiritedness’ had lower recidivism rates than the high concordance level group. These results show that when predicting and preventing recidivism, it is important to examine the level of concordance between the ibasho characteristics one emphasizes and the actual sense of ibasho.