# Article 321, paragraph (1), item (iii), 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/item-3. 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), item (iii) (第三百二十一条第一項第三号) 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), item (iii) (第三百二十一条第一項第三号) — https://japanlaw.org/en/code-of-criminal-procedure/art-321/par-1/item-3 (as Markdown: https://japanlaw.org/md/en/code-of-criminal-procedure/art-321/par-1/item-3)
- 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:

> 前二号に掲げる書面以外の書面については、供述者が死亡、精神若しくは身体の故障、所在不明又は国外にいるため公判準備又は公判期日において供述することができず、かつ、その供述が犯罪事実の存否の証明に欠くことができないものであるとき。ただし、その供述が特に信用すべき情況の下にされたものであるときに限る。

English (Japanese Law Translation, Ministry of Justice):

> with regard to a document other than the documents set forth in the preceding two items, when the person who has made the statement is unable to do so in the trial preparation or on the trial date due to death, a mental or physical disorder, or being non est or out of the country, and that statement is essential to prove or disprove the facts of the crime; provided, however, that this is limited to the case when the previous statement is made under special circumstances that afford the previous statement credible.

## 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:

> 前二号に掲げる書面及び電磁的記録以外の書面又は電磁的記録については、供述者が死亡、精神若しくは身体の故障、所在不明又は国外にいるため公判準備又は公判期日において供述することができず、かつ、その供述が犯罪事実の存否の証明に欠くことができないものであるとき。ただし、その供述が特に信用すべき情況の下にされたものであるときに限る。

English (Machine translation, not official):

> with regard to a document or electronic or magnetic record other than the documents and electronic or magnetic records set forth in the preceding two items, when the person who has made the statement is unable to do so in the trial preparation or on the trial date due to death, a mental or physical disorder, or being non est or out of the country, and that statement is essential to prove or disprove the facts of the crime; provided, however, that this is limited to the case when the statement is made under special circumstances that afford the statement credible.

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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)