Although crime rates in Japan have generally remained constant or declined somewhat and have been consistently lower than those in Western countries, this report expresses concern over recent increases in the frequency of theft and other property offenses, the unlawful use of stimulant drugs, and several forms of criminal activity by organized crime groups. The summary of recent crime trends is accompanied by an evaluation of the problem of recidivism in Japan and selected foreign countries. In Japan a relatively small number of habitual criminals and dangerous offenders are found to commit a disproportionate share of new crimes, and therefore the development and implementation of effective treatment measures and programs directed at these offenders is urged. This current study confirms an earlier trend of a lower recidivism rate among previously convicted offenders in immediately preceding years and shows some increase in recidivism among those granted suspended sentences coupled with probationary supervision. It is also documented that stimulant drug offenders who received suspension committed new crimes almost twice as often as those similarly treated after conviction for other crimes. The paper also describes the actual processing of offenders during prosecution, adjudication, correctional administration, and release. The coverage of trends in juvenile criminality and delinquency and the modes of treating juvenile offenders describes juvenile classification homes, training schools, and prisons. A delineation of special crimes and offenders includes organized crime groups, mentally disordered persons, and female criminals. Concern is expressed over consolidating organized crime groups which smuggle into Japan firearms from Thailand and the U.S. and stimulant drugs from Hong Kong and Korea. In contrast to male criminality, which has decreased somewhat, female criminality is shown to be increasing. Tabular data are provided. (Author abstract modified)