# Article 321-2, paragraph (1), its wordings — Code of Criminal Procedure

This is the Markdown twin of https://japanlaw.org/en/code-of-criminal-procedure/history/art-321-2/par-1. 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 321-2, paragraph (1) (第三百二十一条の二第一項) 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 321-2, paragraph (1) (第三百二十一条の二第一項) — https://japanlaw.org/en/code-of-criminal-procedure/art-321-2/par-1 (as Markdown: https://japanlaw.org/md/en/code-of-criminal-procedure/art-321-2/par-1)
- 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:

> 被告事件の公判準備若しくは公判期日における手続以外の刑事手続又は他の事件の刑事手続において第百五十七条の六第一項又は第二項に規定する方法によりされた証人の尋問及び供述並びにその状況を記録した記録媒体がその一部とされた調書は、前条第一項の規定にかかわらず、証拠とすることができる。この場合において、裁判所は、その調書を取り調べた後、訴訟関係人に対し、その供述者を証人として尋問する機会を与えなければならない。

English (Japanese Law Translation, Ministry of Justice):

> Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (1) of the preceding Article, a written statement, part of which is accompanied with a recording medium on which the examination and testimony of a witness made through the means provided in Article 157-6, paragraph (1) or (2) during criminal proceedings other than those in the trial preparation or on the trial date of the case under public prosecution or during criminal proceedings of other case, and the circumstances surrounding the examination and testimony are recorded, may be used as evidence. In this case, a court must give the persons concerned in the case an opportunity to examine those who have made statements as witnesses, after the examination of the written statement.

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

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

Japanese:

> 被告事件の公判準備若しくは公判期日における手続以外の刑事手続又は他の事件の刑事手続において第百五十七条の六第一項又は第二項に規定する方法によりされた証人の尋問及び供述並びにその状況を記録した電磁的記録がその一部とされた調書は、前条第一項の規定にかかわらず、証拠とすることができる。この場合において、裁判所は、その調書を取り調べた後、訴訟関係人に対し、その供述者を証人として尋問する機会を与えなければならない。

English (Machine translation, not official):

> Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (1) of the preceding Article, a written statement, part of which is accompanied with an electronic or magnetic record on which the examination and testimony of a witness made through the means provided in Article 157-6, paragraph (1) or (2) during criminal proceedings other than those in the trial preparation or on the trial date of the case under public prosecution or during criminal proceedings of other case, and the circumstances surrounding the examination and testimony are recorded, may be used as evidence. In this case, a court must give the persons concerned in the case an opportunity to examine those who have made statements as witnesses, after the examination of the written statement.

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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)