In order to live in this community it is necessary to have rules and regulations.

Such rules ensure that family relationships, such as parent and child or brother and sister are accurately registered; that it is possible to live in safety within a house that has been purchased at great cost; and factories can obtain, without fail, materials for processing. It is also essential for the maintenance of peace and order in society that when someone causes an injury or steals property that that person is appropriately punished.

The Ministry of Justice not only prescribes such basic rules (basic legislation) applicable in daily life but also the basic judicial framework under which these rules are faithfully observed. It also assumes responsibility for a broad range of legal work under which, those who commit crimes are punished and those who have served their time are assisted in their rehabilitation, taking charge of prosecutorial and correctional work and rehabilitation aid services. The Ministry also oversees the management of a system to help citizens exercise their personal rights, such as the registering of real estate, and also notarization. Other important duties of the Ministry of Justice include ensuring that the basic human rights of individuals are respected and that the immigration control of foreigners entering or leaving Japan is dealt with in an appropriate manner.