# Article 321-3, paragraph (1), its wordings — Code of Criminal Procedure

This is the Markdown twin of https://japanlaw.org/en/code-of-criminal-procedure/history/art-321-3/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 321-3, paragraph (1) (第三百二十一条の三第一項) 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 321-3, paragraph (1) (第三百二十一条の三第一項) — https://japanlaw.org/en/code-of-criminal-procedure/art-321-3/par-1 (as Markdown: https://japanlaw.org/md/en/code-of-criminal-procedure/art-321-3/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:

> 第一号に掲げる者の供述及びその状況を録音及び録画を同時に行う方法により記録した記録媒体（その供述がされた聴取の開始から終了に至るまでの間における供述及びその状況を記録したものに限る。）は、その供述が第二号に掲げる措置が特に採られた情況の下にされたものであると認める場合であつて、聴取に至るまでの情況その他の事情を考慮し相当と認めるときは、第三百二十一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、その記録媒体を取り調べた後、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):

> The recording medium on which the statement of the person set forth in item (i) and the circumstances thereof have been recorded by a method of simultaneously recording audio and video (limited to a recording of the statement and its circumstances from the start to the end of the interview in which the statement was made) may, notwithstanding the provisions of Article 321, paragraph (1), be used as evidence if the court finds that the statement was made under circumstances in which the measures set forth in item (ii) were particularly taken, and deems it appropriate considering the circumstances up to the time of the interview and other circumstances. In this case, the court must, after the examination of the recording medium, give the persons concerned in the case an opportunity to examine the person who made the statement as a witness.

## 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:

> 第一号に掲げる者の供述及びその状況を録音及び録画を同時に行う方法により記録した電磁的記録（その供述がされた聴取の開始から終了に至るまでの間における供述及びその状況を記録したものに限る。）は、その供述が第二号に掲げる措置が特に採られた情況の下にされたものであると認める場合であつて、聴取に至るまでの情況その他の事情を考慮し相当と認めるときは、第三百二十一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、その電磁的記録を取り調べた後、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):

> The electronic or magnetic record on which the statement of the person set forth in item (i) and the circumstances thereof have been recorded by a method of simultaneously recording audio and video (limited to a recording of the statement and its circumstances from the start to the end of the interview in which the statement was made) may, notwithstanding the provisions of Article 321, paragraph (1), be used as evidence if the court finds that the statement was made under circumstances in which the measures set forth in item (ii) were particularly taken, and deems it appropriate considering the circumstances up to the time of the interview and other circumstances. In this case, the court must, after the examination of the electronic or magnetic record, give the persons concerned in the case an opportunity to examine the person who made the statement as a witness.

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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)