Origins of the probation service in Japan, its administrative structure, the respective roles of Professional Probation Officers (PPOs), hogo kansatsu kan, and the nearly 50 times more numerous Volunteer Probation Officers (VPOs), hogo-shi, are described. Recruitment of VPOs, their backgrounds, increasing age, methods of work and training is outlined, followed by activities of local VPO Associations and Offender Rehabilitation Support Centres. Strengths of the distinctive Japanese VPO system are analysed, followed by challenges it faces. Chief amongst them being the introduction of partly suspended sentences coupled with probation for drug offenders and the need to build adequate medical, psychological, accommodation and employment support to prevent their reoffending and aid recovery. Consequences and new tasks for probation of the widely expected lowering of the age of criminal adulthood are also considered.

中文翻译：

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日本的缓刑：优势和挑战以及可能的新任务

描述了日本缓刑服务的起源、其行政结构、专业缓刑官 (PPO) hogo kansatsu kan 以及数量近 50 倍的志愿缓刑官 (VPO) hogo-shi 的各自角色。概述了公益创投机构的招聘、他们的背景、年龄增长、工作方法和培训，然后是当地公益创投机构协会和罪犯康复支持中心的活动。分析了独特的日本公益创投机构系统的优势，然后分析了它面临的挑战。其中最主要的是对吸毒者实行部分缓刑和缓刑，并需要建立足够的医疗、心理、住宿和就业支持，以防止他们再次犯罪并帮助他们康复。