The course involved 10 Japanese and 17 overseas participants (10 from Asia, 2 from Oceania, 1 from Latin America, and 4 from Africa). Participants included prison and police officials, public prosecutors, judges, and other high ranking officials. The course was based on lectures, individual presentations, group workshop sessions, and visits and special events. During the 12-week period, participants examined measures to enhance the involvement of the public and victims in the administration of criminal justice. This was accomplished primarily through comparative analysis of the current situation and problems in participating countries. The training course provided a forum for the exchange of information and views on how social changes have transformed the nature of crime and on the response required from the criminal justice system. Participants found they had many common problems in incorporating public participation and victim rights in investigation, prosecution, and trial components of the criminal justice system, although legal frameworks varied from country to country.