Japan's legion of volunteer parole officers to be adopted as UN model

TOKYO -- The United Nations is expected to adopt standards for preventing recidivism that are modeled on the highly regarded Japanese approach built on public-private partnerships and a cadre of part-time volunteers.

"Japan has been working across such institutions as probation officers, social welfare facilities and local companies for many years to support rehabilitation," a Ministry of Justice official said. "By incorporating Japan's efforts and know-how in the guidelines, we aim to make them the global standard."