Until recently, DV was not regarded as a serious social problem in Japan. Thus, there is much to learn about its nature and prevalence in this country. The current study analyzed 346 criminal cases involving DV and 10 personal interviews with DV perpetrators in order to understand the nature of DV in Japan, identify the factors that lead to DV, and to determine rehabilitation options. The study also focused on the characteristics of DV perpetrators. The cases were drawn from the caseload processed by the Public Prosecutors Office during the period October 2001 through May 2002. Results of statistical analyses indicated that 80 percent of DV perpetrators had abused the same victim in the past and usually for an average of 6 years. Abuse generally began within the first year of the marriage. Alcohol was involved in approximately 50 percent of DV incidents. Only 20 percent of victims had contacted the police concerning prior incidents of DV. Perpetrators were overwhelmingly males who had an average age of 39.8 years; 15 percent had a history of substance abuse. The most common reason given for the DV by both perpetrators and victims was “daily trifles.” Determining the casual factors leading to the DV was difficult, although the variable “length of time the perpetrator and victim lived together” seemed to exert both a direct and indirect influence on the perpetrators behavior. “The perpetrator’s history of substance abuse” also exerted a direct influence on the physical DV. Rehabilitation options should focus on substance abuse treatment, job training, assistance in finding a job, and counseling regarding communication styles. Figures, tables, references, appendix