The Penal Code of Japan

Chapter XI Complicity

(Co-Principals)

Article 60 Two or more persons who jointly commit a criminal act shall all be dealt with as principals.

(Instigators)

Article 61 A person who instigates and cause another to commit a crime shall be considered a principal.

2. The same shall apply to a person who instigates an instigator.

(Accessories)

Article 62 A person who assists a principal is an accessory.

2. A person who instigates an accessory shall be considered as accessory.

(Penalty for accessories)

Article 63 Penalty for an accessory shall be a reduction of the penalty for the principal.

(Complicity in crimes punishable by detention or minor fines)

Article 64 Except as otherwise especially provided for, instigators and accessories shall not be punishable for crimes punishable only with penal detention or minor fine.)

Article 5 When a person has been involved in an act which is a crime because of the status of the perpetrator, that person shall be dealt with as an accomplice even though having no such status.

2. When the weight of pernalty depends upon the status of the offender, a normal penalty shall be imposed on persons  not having such status.