# Article 321, 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/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, paragraph (1) (第三百二十一条第一項) 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, paragraph (1) (第三百二十一条第一項) — https://japanlaw.org/en/code-of-criminal-procedure/art-321/par-1 (as Markdown: https://japanlaw.org/md/en/code-of-criminal-procedure/art-321/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:

> 被告人以外の者が作成した供述書又はその者の供述を録取した書面で供述者の署名若しくは押印のあるものは、次に掲げる場合に限り、これを証拠とすることができる。

English (Written for this site with AI, correcting the Ministry of Justice's English):

> A written statement made by a person other than the defendant, or the person's statement recorded and taken down in writing with the person's signature or seal may be used as evidence only in the following cases:

## 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:

> 被告人以外の者が作成した供述書又はその者の供述を録取した書面若しくは電磁的記録であつて供述者の署名若しくは押印があり、若しくは裁判所の規則で定める供述者の署名若しくは押印に代わる措置がとられたものは、次に掲げる場合に限り、これを証拠とすることができる。

English (Machine translation, not official):

> A written statement made by a person other than the defendant, or the person's statement recorded and taken down in writing or in an electronic or magnetic record, with the person's signature or seal, or with respect to which the measures prescribed by the Rules of Court in lieu of the signature or seal of the person who made the statement have been taken, may be used as evidence only in the following cases:

---

## 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)