# Article 322, paragraph (1), its wordings — Code of Criminal Procedure

This is the Markdown twin of https://japanlaw.org/en/code-of-criminal-procedure/history/art-322/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 322, paragraph (1) (第三百二十二条第一項) 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 322, paragraph (1) (第三百二十二条第一項) — https://japanlaw.org/en/code-of-criminal-procedure/art-322/par-1 (as Markdown: https://japanlaw.org/md/en/code-of-criminal-procedure/art-322/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:

> 被告人が作成した供述書又は被告人の供述を録取した書面で被告人の署名若しくは押印のあるものは、その供述が被告人に不利益な事実の承認を内容とするものであるとき、又は特に信用すべき情況の下にされたものであるときに限り、これを証拠とすることができる。但し、被告人に不利益な事実の承認を内容とする書面は、その承認が自白でない場合においても、第三百十九条の規定に準じ、任意にされたものでない疑があると認めるときは、これを証拠とすることができない。

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

> A written statement made by the defendant or a written statement recording the statement of the defendant which has the defendant's signature or seal affixed by said person may be used as evidence only when the statement contains an admission of a disadvantageous fact, or is made under circumstances that afford special credibility; provided however, that even if the admission is not a confession, a document which contains an admission of a disadvantageous fact may not be used as evidence when there is doubt about it being voluntary as prescribed in Article 319.

## 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:

> 被告人が作成した供述書又は被告人の供述を録取した書面若しくは電磁的記録であつて被告人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被告人の署名若しくは押印に代わる措置がとられたものは、その供述が被告人に不利益な事実の承認を内容とするものであるとき、又は特に信用すべき情況の下にされたものであるときに限り、これを証拠とすることができる。ただし、被告人に不利益な事実の承認を内容とする書面又は電磁的記録は、その承認が自白でない場合においても、第三百十九条の規定に準じ、任意にされたものでない疑いがあると認めるときは、これを証拠とすることができない。

English (Machine translation, not official):

> A written statement made by the defendant or a written statement or electronic or magnetic record recording the statement of the defendant which has the defendant's signature or seal affixed by said person, or with respect to which the measures prescribed by the Rules of Court in lieu of the defendant's signature or seal have been taken, may be used as evidence only when the statement contains an admission of a disadvantageous fact, or is made under circumstances that afford special credibility; provided however, that even if the admission is not a confession, a document or electronic or magnetic record which contains an admission of a disadvantageous fact may not be used as evidence when there is doubt about it being voluntary as prescribed in Article 319.

---

## 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)