NCJ Number
96246
Date Published
1984
Length
15 pages
Annotation
This study identifies the kinds of crimes committed by Japanese corporations and considers what forms of sanctions should be imposed on them.
Abstract
Corporate crimes fall into the following categories: crimes in forming capital and in purchasing the means of production and labor power, crimes in producing and selling goods, and crimes relating to profits and circulation of money. At the first stage of the circulation of capital, the money capital which private corporations keep also is used for purchasing labor power. The Minimum Wage Law protects employees from being hired at a cheap wage. Also, to increase profits, corporations may make their employees work in unsafe and inhumane conditions. The Labor Standards Law sets the minimum standards for labor conditions, and the Labor Safety and Health Law protects workers at their workshops. Other laws to control the practices of corporations include the Building Standards Law; the Environmental Pollution Prevention Law; Drugs, Cosmetics and Medical Instruments Law; the Commercial Code, providing that a private corporation should publish a report on closing accounts every settlement term; the Law to Control Businesses Which May Affect Public Morals; and the Law to Control Money Lending Business. A fine is the primary punishment imposed. In addition to administrative order, such as the revocation or the suspension of a business license, criminal punishments are strong sanctions against the illegal economic activities of private corporations. They deprive corporations of customers' confidence. Punishments should be imposed on private corporations, and the employee should not be made the scapegoat.