# Article 291, paragraph (5), its wordings — Code of Criminal Procedure

This is the Markdown twin of https://japanlaw.org/en/code-of-criminal-procedure/history/art-291/par-5. Every law, and how to address a provision: https://japanlaw.org/llms.txt. The same laws as MCP tools (no sign-in): https://japanlaw.org/mcp.

How the wording of Article 291, paragraph (5) (第二百九十一条第五項) changed with each amendment, and how it will change.

- Law: Code of Criminal Procedure (刑事訴訟法) — https://japanlaw.org/en/code-of-criminal-procedure
- Provision: Article 291, paragraph (5) (第二百九十一条第五項) — https://japanlaw.org/en/code-of-criminal-procedure/art-291/par-5 (as Markdown: https://japanlaw.org/md/en/code-of-criminal-procedure/art-291/par-5)
- The law's amendments: https://japanlaw.org/en/code-of-criminal-procedure/amendments
- 2 wordings, oldest first.

## 1. Before Act No. 39 of 2025

- State: In force

Japanese:

> 裁判長は、第一項の起訴状の朗読が終わつた後、被告人に対し、終始沈黙し、又は個々の質問に対し陳述を拒むことができる旨その他裁判所の規則で定める被告人の権利を保護するため必要な事項を告げた上、被告人及び弁護人に対し、被告事件について陳述する機会を与えなければならない。

English (Machine translation, not official):

> After a charging sheet has been read aloud under paragraph (1), the presiding judge must notify the defendant that the defendant may remain silent at all times or refuse to answer individual questions, and of other necessary matters provided in the Rules of Court to protect the rights of the defendant, and then give the defendant and the defense counsel an opportunity to make a statement concerning the case under public prosecution.

## 2. By 31 March 2027 — Act No. 39 of 2025

- State: Not yet in force
- Takes effect: By 31 March 2027
- The amendment: Moved to paragraph (6) and reworded (Act No. 39 of 2025) — https://japanlaw.org/en/code-of-criminal-procedure/amendments/20270331_507AC0000000039

Japanese:

> 裁判長は、第一項の規定による朗読が終わつた後、被告人に対し、終始沈黙し、又は個々の質問に対し陳述を拒むことができる旨その他裁判所の規則で定める被告人の権利を保護するため必要な事項を告げた上、被告人及び弁護人に対し、被告事件について陳述する機会を与えなければならない。

English (Machine translation, not official):

> After the reading aloud under paragraph (1) has ended, the presiding judge must notify the defendant that the defendant may remain silent at all times or refuse to answer individual questions, and of other necessary matters provided in the Rules of Court to protect the rights of the defendant, and then give the defendant and the defense counsel an opportunity to make a statement concerning the case under public prosecution.

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## Sources

- The dates and the amending laws: e-Gov (Digital Agency) (https://laws.e-gov.go.jp/law/323AC0000000131)
- English name of the law: Japanese Law Translation, Ministry of Justice (https://www.japaneselawtranslation.go.jp/en/laws/view/3739/tb)
- English titles of the amending laws: Written for this site with AI
- The Japanese text before: e-Gov (Digital Agency) (https://laws.e-gov.go.jp/law/323AC0000000131/20261020_508AC0000000067)
- The Japanese text after: e-Gov (Digital Agency) (https://laws.e-gov.go.jp/law/323AC0000000131/20270331_507AC0000000039)