# Article 451, paragraph (4), its wordings — Code of Criminal Procedure

This is the Markdown twin of https://japanlaw.org/en/code-of-criminal-procedure/history/art-451/par-4. 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 451, paragraph (4) (第四百五十一条第四項) 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 451, paragraph (4) (第四百五十一条第四項) — https://japanlaw.org/en/code-of-criminal-procedure/art-451/par-4 (as Markdown: https://japanlaw.org/md/en/code-of-criminal-procedure/art-451/par-4)
- The law's amendments: https://japanlaw.org/en/code-of-criminal-procedure/amendments
- 2 wordings, oldest first.

## 1. Before Act No. 67 of 2026

- State: In force

Japanese:

> 第二項の場合において、再審の請求をした者が弁護人を選任しないときは、裁判長は、職権で弁護人を附しなければならない。

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

> In the case set forth in paragraph (2), when the person who has filed a request for a retrial has not appointed defense counsel, the presiding judge shall appoint defense counsel for the defendant ex officio.

## 2. By 23 July 2027 — Act No. 67 of 2026

- State: Not yet in force
- Takes effect: By 23 July 2027
- The amendment: Reworded (Act No. 67 of 2026) — https://japanlaw.org/en/code-of-criminal-procedure/amendments/20270723_508AC0000000067

Japanese:

> 第二項の場合において、再審請求者が弁護人を選任しないときは、裁判長は、職権で弁護人を付さなければならない。

English (Machine translation, not official):

> In the case set forth in paragraph (2), when the retrial requester has not appointed defense counsel, the presiding judge shall appoint defense counsel for the defendant ex officio.

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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/323AC0000000131/20270331_507AC0000000039)
- The Japanese text after: e-Gov (Digital Agency) (https://laws.e-gov.go.jp/law/323AC0000000131/20270723_508AC0000000067)