Crime in Japan

This book examines different aspects of crime and deviance in Japan using research and theories from psychological criminology. Dominant research literature often stereotypically claims that Japan has low crime compared to Western industrialised countries because its citizens are group-oriented, its social institutions benevolent and organised, and its public spaces are spotless and efficient. Bui and Farrington however found that there is a higher level of violence among young Japanese males compared to that among young American males. The authors use psychological criminology to investigate this claim and present what is known about crime and antisocial behaviour in Japan from a psychological perspective (e.g. mental disorders, brain dysfunction, and family criminality) and explain how this fits into the broader understanding of crime at the individual level. This original project is the most up-to-date work on crime in Japan and progresses the important, and underdeveloped, field ofcriminal psychology.

Autorentext

Laura Bui is Lecturer in Criminology at the School of Law, Manchester University. She received her doctorate in criminology at the Institute of Criminology, Cambridge University. She has conducted research on youth crime in Japan and has published several empirical studies on the topic. She has also designed and taught modules on comparative criminal justice and psychological criminology. David P. Farrington, O.B.E., is Emeritus Professor of Psychological Criminology at the Institute of Criminology, Cambridge University. He received his doctorate in experimental psychology from Cambridge University and his major research interest is in developmental criminology. In addition to over 650 published journal articles and nearly 100 books on criminological and psychological topics, he has published 96 books, monographs, and government publications. He has published several empirical studies on risk factors and criminal careers in Japan.

Zusammenfassung

This book reviews research on psychology and crime in Japan, and compares the findings with similar research conducted in Western industrialised countries. It examines explanations for crime and antisocial behaviour in Japan using research and theories from a psychological perspective. Topics covered include cultural explanations, developmental and life-course criminology, family violence and family risk factors, youth crime and early prevention, school factors and bullying, mental disorders, biosocial factors, psychopathy and sexual offending. In some parts, it challenges and refines the prevailing belief that Japan is a society characterised by low crime and little antisocial behaviour. This original project is the most up-to-date work on crime in Japan, and advances the important field of psychological criminology.

Inhalt

1. Introduction.- 2. Culture.- 3. Life Course.- 4. Family.- 5. Youth.- 6. School.- 7. Mental Disorders.- 8. Biosocial Interactions.- 9. Conclusions.