Speakers
Parallel Workshops
How can effective collaboration be built across ministries, sectors, and professional cultures to reduce recidivism?
This session presents practical insights from Japan’s experience in developing employment and welfare support for offenders released from prison, based on the presenter’s direct involvement in both policy-making and frontline practice. It highlights how collaboration between the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare has addressed institutional barriers, as well as how community-based partnerships involving non-governmental actors have supported individuals with complex needs.
The session focuses not only on what has worked, but also on the challenges encountered—such as differences in priorities and perspectives—and how these have been navigated. It introduces the concept of “revolving door” career pathways, emphasising the value of professionals who can bridge policy and practice.
Participants will gain practical insights into how to foster collaboration, manage tensions, and develop shared approaches across institutional boundaries. The session will be particularly relevant to policymakers and practitioners seeking to strengthen efforts to reduce recidivism through partnership-based approaches.
Yoshiaki Fukuda is a specialist at the Rehabilitation Bureau of the Ministry of Justice of Japan, where he is engaged in the planning and development of legislation and policies relating to offender rehabilitation and community corrections. Throughout his career, he has worked across a wide range of policy and frontline practice settings, developing expertise in inter-agency collaboration and reintegration support for offenders released from prison.
While seconded to the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, he was involved in the planning and development of employment support measures for offenders released from prison. At a probation office, he worked directly with offenders released from prison, coordinating welfare support and securing accommodation in collaboration with local governments, non-profit organisations, and other stakeholders. He also served in the International Affairs Division of the Ministry of Justice, where he was engaged in the planning and coordination of international cooperation initiatives with the G7 and ASEAN in the field of law and justice. In addition, he has experience working in a halfway house, the Immigration Services Agency, and the Cabinet Secretariat, providing him with both practical and policy-oriented perspectives on rehabilitation and reintegration.