勾留 in 30 Seconds
- Court-ordered legal detention.
- Lasts 10-20 days pre-indictment.
- Prevents flight or evidence tampering.
- Requires a judge's approval.
The Japanese word 勾留 (kōryū) is a formal legal term that translates to 'detention' or 'custody' in English. It specifically refers to the court-ordered detention of a suspect or a defendant in a criminal case. Understanding this term is crucial for anyone studying Japanese law, reading the news, or watching legal dramas. The process of 勾留 is a significant step in the Japanese criminal justice system, occurring after an initial arrest (逮捕 - taiho) and requiring the approval of a judge. This detention is designed to prevent the suspect from fleeing the jurisdiction or destroying evidence while the police and prosecutors conduct their investigation. The standard period for this pre-indictment detention is usually 10 days, but it can be extended for another 10 days, making a total of 20 days before the prosecutor must decide whether to indict the suspect.
- Legal Definition
- Court-ordered confinement of a suspect or defendant to prevent flight or evidence tampering.
容疑者は10日間の勾留が決まった。(The suspect was ordered to be detained for 10 days.)
It is important to distinguish 勾留 from the initial arrest. When someone is arrested, the police have 48 hours to investigate and hand the case over to the prosecutor. The prosecutor then has 24 hours to request a judge for 勾留. If the judge agrees that there is a risk of flight or evidence destruction, the 勾留 is granted. This strict timeline is a fundamental part of the Japanese Criminal Procedure Code. During this period, the suspect is usually held at a police station detention center, though legally they are under the jurisdiction of the court and the prosecutor. The conditions of 勾留 can be quite strict, often limiting contact with the outside world, although suspects have the right to meet with their defense attorney (弁護士 - bengoshi).
- Duration
- Typically 10 days, extendable to a maximum of 20 days prior to indictment.
検察は勾留延長を請求した。(The prosecution requested an extension of the detention.)
In the context of CEFR A1, while the concept is advanced, the word itself appears frequently in daily news broadcasts. Even beginners can benefit from recognizing the characters and the sound 'kōryū' when watching Japanese television. You will often hear phrases like 'kōryū sareta' (was detained) or 'kōryū kigen' (detention deadline). Recognizing these patterns helps build a foundational understanding of how legal news is reported in Japan. Furthermore, understanding 勾留 provides insight into the societal emphasis on thorough investigation before formal charges are brought, which is a hallmark of the Japanese legal system.
- Post-Indictment
- If indicted, the detention (起訴後勾留) can continue for months until the trial concludes.
裁判所は勾留の理由を開示した。(The court disclosed the reasons for detention.)
When studying this word, it is also helpful to learn its antonyms and related concepts. For example, 'shakuhō' (釈放) means release, and 'hoshaku' (保釈) means bail. Bail is generally only available after indictment, meaning during the initial 勾留 period, the suspect cannot be released on bail. This makes the 勾留 period a highly critical time for both the defense and the prosecution. The defense attorney will often file appeals against the 勾留 decision, arguing that there is no risk of flight or evidence tampering, though these appeals are rarely successful in practice. By mastering the word 勾留, learners unlock a deeper comprehension of Japanese current events, legal literature, and the structural mechanisms of state authority in Japan.
不当な勾留に対する抗議が行われた。(Protests were held against the unjust detention.)
彼は勾留中に黙秘権を行使した。(He exercised his right to remain silent during detention.)
Using the word 勾留 (kōryū) correctly requires an understanding of its grammatical function and the specific verbs it pairs with. As a verbal noun (suru-verb), it can be used independently as a noun or combined with 'suru' to form the verb 'to detain'. However, in everyday usage and news reporting, it is most commonly used in its passive form, '勾留される' (kōryū sareru), meaning 'to be detained', because the subject of the sentence is usually the suspect who is receiving the action of detention from the state. You will rarely hear an individual say 'I will detain him' using this word; instead, it is the court or the system that enacts the 勾留. Therefore, mastering the passive voice is essential when practicing this vocabulary word.
- Verb Pairing 1
- 勾留される (kōryū sareru) - to be detained.
その政治家は警察署に勾留されている。(The politician is being detained at the police station.)
Another frequent usage involves the extension of the detention period. The phrase '勾留を延長する' (kōryū o enchō suru) means 'to extend the detention'. This is a very common headline in Japanese newspapers. When the initial 10-day period is insufficient for the prosecutors to gather enough evidence for an indictment, they will request a judge to grant an extension. The judge's approval of this request is reported using this exact phrase. Additionally, the term '勾留期間' (kōryū kikan), meaning 'detention period', is a compound noun that learners should memorize. It is used to discuss the timeline of a suspect's confinement.
- Verb Pairing 2
- 勾留を延長する (kōryū o enchō suru) - to extend the detention.
裁判官はさらに10日間の勾留延長を認めた。(The judge approved an additional 10-day extension of the detention.)
It is also important to know how to express the end of a detention. The phrase '勾留を解く' (kōryū o toku) means 'to release from detention' or 'to lift the detention'. This occurs when a suspect is cleared of charges, or when the maximum pre-indictment period expires without formal charges being filed. In legal documents, you might also see '勾留取消し' (kōryū torikeshi), which refers to the cancellation or revocation of the detention order by a court, usually following a successful appeal by the defense attorney. Understanding these variations allows for a much more nuanced comprehension of legal texts and news broadcasts.
- Noun Compound
- 勾留期間 (kōryū kikan) - detention period.
勾留期間が満了し、彼は釈放された。(His detention period expired, and he was released.)
For advanced learners, discussing the conditions of the detention is another way to use the word. Phrases like '勾留中の扱い' (kōryū-chū no atsukai - treatment during detention) or '接見禁止の勾留' (sekken kinshi no kōryū - detention with a ban on visitation) are highly specific but crucial for discussing human rights and legal procedures in Japan. A 'sekken kinshi' order means the suspect cannot meet with anyone except their lawyer, not even family members. This is often applied in cases where there is a high risk of accomplices destroying evidence. By practicing these collocations, learners can confidently engage in complex discussions about the Japanese justice system, demonstrating a high level of vocabulary proficiency and cultural awareness.
弁護士は勾留の取り消しを求めて準抗告を行った。(The lawyer filed a quasi-appeal seeking the revocation of the detention.)
彼は勾留施設で厳しい取り調べを受けた。(He underwent strict interrogation at the detention facility.)
The word 勾留 (kōryū) is predominantly encountered in formal and journalistic contexts in Japan. If you turn on the television to watch the evening news on NHK or any major commercial network, you are almost guaranteed to hear this word whenever a high-profile crime or corporate scandal is being reported. News anchors use it to update the public on the status of suspects. For example, when a famous celebrity or a corporate executive is arrested, the media closely follows the timeline, reporting exactly when the 勾留 is approved and when it is set to expire. This makes it an essential vocabulary word for anyone aiming to pass the JLPT N2 or N1, or for professionals working in Japan who need to stay informed about current events.
- Context 1: News Broadcasts
- Used daily by news anchors to report on the status of criminal investigations.
ニュースキャスター：「容疑者の勾留が決定しました。」(Newscaster: 'The suspect's detention has been decided.')
Beyond the news, you will frequently encounter 勾留 in Japanese legal dramas and movies. Shows like 'Hero', '99.9 Criminal Lawyer', or 'Legal High' heavily feature scenes where prosecutors and defense attorneys argue over the necessity of 勾留. In these dramas, the tension often revolves around the ticking clock of the 勾留期間 (detention period). The defense attorney will desperately try to find evidence to clear their client before the 20-day limit is up and an indictment is filed. Watching these shows is an excellent way to hear the word used in dramatic, realistic dialogues, helping to cement its meaning and pronunciation in your memory while also providing entertainment.
- Context 2: Legal Dramas
- A central plot device in Japanese television shows focusing on lawyers and prosecutors.
弁護士：「不当な勾留だ！すぐに釈放しろ！」(Lawyer: 'This is an unjust detention! Release him immediately!')
Print media is another major source for this vocabulary. Newspapers such as the Yomiuri Shimbun, Asahi Shimbun, and Nikkei regularly publish articles detailing the legal proceedings of various cases. In print, you will see the kanji 勾留 used in headlines and detailed articles explaining the legal reasoning behind a judge's decision to grant or deny a detention request. For learners of Japanese, reading the 'Society' (社会 - shakai) section of a Japanese newspaper is a practical way to encounter this word repeatedly. The structured, formal language of newspapers provides excellent reading practice and helps learners understand how 勾留 fits into complex sentence structures.
- Context 3: Newspapers
- Frequently appears in the 'Society' or 'National News' sections of daily papers.
新聞見出し：「元社長、背任容疑で勾留延長」(Newspaper Headline: 'Former President's Detention Extended on Suspicion of Breach of Trust')
Finally, you will hear and see this word in academic and professional legal settings. Law students, professors, attorneys, and human rights activists use 勾留 when discussing criminal procedure law (刑事訴訟法 - keiji soshōhō). In these contexts, the discussions are highly technical, focusing on the constitutional rights of the detained, the criteria for approving detention, and international comparisons of pre-trial confinement. If you are studying law in Japan or participating in debates about the justice system, mastering the nuances of 勾留 and its related terminology is absolutely indispensable. It is a word that bridges the gap between everyday news consumption and deep, structural analysis of Japanese society.
法学部の講義で勾留の要件について学んだ。(I learned about the requirements for detention in my law faculty lecture.)
人権団体は長期勾留の問題点を指摘している。(Human rights organizations are pointing out the problems of long-term detention.)
When learning the word 勾留 (kōryū), students of Japanese frequently make a few specific mistakes, primarily confusing it with other legal terms that sound similar or have related meanings. The most common and critical mistake is confusing 勾留 with 拘留 (kōryū). Notice that the pronunciation is exactly the same, but the first kanji is different (勾 vs. 拘). In Japanese law, these two words mean entirely different things. 勾留 (with the 'hook' kanji) is the pre-trial detention of a suspect for investigation purposes, which we have been discussing. On the other hand, 拘留 (with the 'arrest/seize' kanji) is an actual criminal punishment—a short-term imprisonment of less than 30 days for minor offenses. Using the wrong kanji in a legal document or a formal essay completely changes the legal meaning of the sentence.
- Mistake 1: Kanji Confusion
- Confusing 勾留 (investigative detention) with 拘留 (short-term penal imprisonment).
❌ 彼は捜査のために拘留された。
✅ 彼は捜査のために勾留された。(He was detained for investigation.)
Another frequent mistake is using 勾留 interchangeably with 逮捕 (taiho - arrest). While both involve a person being taken into police custody, they are distinct legal steps. 逮捕 is the initial act of apprehending a suspect. It is a short-term action (maximum 72 hours). 勾留 is the subsequent, longer-term detention ordered by a judge. You cannot be 'kōryū-ed' without first being 'taiho-ed', but they are not synonyms. A news report will say 'arrested on Monday, detention approved on Wednesday'. If a learner says 'The police kōryū-ed him on the street', it is factually and legally incorrect; the police 'taiho-ed' him on the street. Understanding this chronological and legal distinction is vital for accurate communication.
- Mistake 2: Chronological Error
- Using 勾留 to describe the initial act of arrest on the street, which should be 逮捕.
❌ 警察は路上で犯人を勾留した。
✅ 警察は路上で犯人を逮捕した。(The police arrested the criminal on the street.)
Learners also sometimes misuse the verbs associated with 勾留. Because it is a formal, legal action taken by the state, it is almost always used in the passive voice when referring to the suspect (勾留される - to be detained). Using the active voice '勾留する' (to detain) with the suspect as the subject is grammatically incorrect. Furthermore, saying 'I will 勾留 you' in a casual argument is highly unnatural and sounds bizarre, as it is strictly a formal legal procedure, not a general word for holding someone back or delaying them. It should never be used to translate English phrases like 'I was detained at the office by my boss'.
- Mistake 3: Casual Usage
- Using 勾留 for everyday delays or being kept somewhere against your will in non-legal contexts.
❌ 上司にオフィスで勾留された。
✅ 上司にオフィスで引き止められた。(I was kept/delayed at the office by my boss.)
Finally, there is a nuance regarding who has the authority to execute a 勾留. While the police physically hold the suspect in their facilities (often a police station cell), the legal authority to grant 勾留 lies solely with a judge (裁判官 - saibankan) upon the request of a prosecutor (検察官 - kensatsukan). Therefore, saying 'The police decided to 勾留 him' is technically incorrect in a strict legal sense. The correct phrasing is 'The court decided' or 'The judge approved'. While casual news summaries might blur this line, advanced learners should strive for precise usage, especially in academic or professional translations, to reflect the true nature of the Japanese judicial process.
❌ 警察が勾留を決定した。
✅ 裁判官が勾留を決定した。(The judge decided on the detention.)
❌ 彼は罰として10日間勾留された。
✅ 彼は罰として10日間拘留された。(He was imprisoned for 10 days as a punishment. Note the kanji difference.)
To fully grasp the nuances of 勾留 (kōryū), it is highly beneficial to compare it with similar words in the Japanese legal and general vocabulary. As mentioned in the Common Mistakes section, the most visually and phonetically similar word is 拘留 (kōryū). While 勾留 is pre-trial detention for investigation, 拘留 is a formal penal sentence of 1 to 29 days in a penal institution for minor infractions, such as public indecency or minor assault. They are homophones but legally distinct. Another closely related term is 逮捕 (taiho), which means arrest. 逮捕 is the immediate, short-term apprehension of a suspect by police, lasting up to 72 hours, which precedes the longer 勾留 period. Understanding this sequence is key to understanding Japanese criminal news.
- Similar Word 1: 拘留 (kōryū)
- Short-term penal imprisonment (1-29 days) as a punishment, not for investigation.
軽犯罪法違反で拘留の判決が下された。(A sentence of short-term imprisonment was handed down for a minor offense.)
Another important word is 拘束 (kōsoku), which translates broadly to 'restraint', 'binding', or 'restriction of freedom'. 拘束 is a much more general term than 勾留. While 勾留 is a specific legal procedure, 拘束 can refer to any situation where someone's physical freedom is taken away. For example, a hostage is 'kōsoku-ed' by terrorists, or a patient might be physically 'kōsoku-ed' in a hospital for safety. You can say that a suspect in 勾留 is under 拘束 (physical restraint), but you cannot use 勾留 to describe a hostage situation. 拘束 focuses on the physical state of being tied down or restricted, whereas 勾留 focuses on the legal status of court-ordered custody.
- Similar Word 2: 拘束 (kōsoku)
- General physical restraint or restriction of freedom; not exclusively a legal term.
テロリストに拘束された人質が解放された。(The hostages restrained by terrorists were freed.)
We must also consider 留置 (ryūchi). This word means 'detention' or 'keeping in custody', but it often refers specifically to the physical location or the administrative act by the police. The police station cells where suspects are held are called 留置場 (ryūchijō). While a suspect is legally under 勾留 (the court order), physically they are placed in 留置 (police custody). It is a subtle distinction: 勾留 is the legal status granted by the judge, while 留置 is the physical execution of holding the person at the police station. You will often hear news reports mention that a suspect was sent to a specific police station's 留置場.
- Similar Word 3: 留置 (ryūchi)
- The physical act of holding someone in custody, often referring to police cells (留置場).
容疑者は中央警察署に留置されている。(The suspect is being held in custody at the central police station.)
Lastly, for advanced learners, the term 収監 (shūkan) is worth knowing. 収監 means 'imprisonment' or 'incarceration'. This word is used after a trial has concluded and a guilty verdict with a prison sentence has been finalized. When a convicted criminal is sent to a formal prison (刑務所 - keimusho) to serve their time, they are 収監される. Therefore, the timeline goes: 逮捕 (arrest) -> 勾留 (pre-trial detention) -> 裁判 (trial) -> 収監 (imprisonment upon conviction). By mapping out these similar words chronologically, learners can build a comprehensive and highly accurate mental model of Japanese legal vocabulary, allowing for precise comprehension and expression in complex scenarios.
実刑判決が確定し、彼は刑務所に収監された。(His prison sentence was finalized, and he was incarcerated in prison.)
逮捕から勾留までの手続きは厳格に定められている。(The procedures from arrest to detention are strictly defined.)
How Formal Is It?
Difficulty Rating
Grammar to Know
Passive voice (〜される) - crucial for expressing 'to be detained'.
Noun modification with の (勾留の理由).
Expressing periods of time (〜日間).
Formal causative-passive (〜させられる) - e.g., 自白を強要させられる (forced to confess during detention).
Expressing reasons with ため (証拠隠滅の恐れがあるため).
Examples by Level
警察は彼を勾留した。
The police detained him.
勾留した (past tense of 勾留する)
勾留は10日間です。
The detention is for 10 days.
10日間 (period of 10 days)
彼は勾留されています。
He is being detained.
されています (passive continuous state)
勾留のニュースを見ました。
I saw the news about the detention.
の (noun modifier)
勾留はいつ終わりますか。
When does the detention end?
いつ (when)
勾留の理由は何ですか。
What is the reason for the detention?
理由 (reason)
今日、勾留が決まりました。
Today, the detention was decided.
決まりました (was decided)
勾留中は家に帰れません。
You cannot go home during detention.
中は (during)
裁判官が勾留を認めました。
The judge approved the detention.
認めました (approved/acknowledged)
検察は勾留の延長を求めました。
The prosecution asked for an extension of the detention.
延長 (extension)
彼の勾留期間は明日までです。
His detention period is until tomorrow.
期間 (period)
警察署で勾留されています。
He is detained at the police station.
で (location particle)
勾留を解かれて、自由になりました。
He was released from detention and became free.
解かれて (te-form of toku, passive)
ニュースで勾留について聞きました。
I heard about the detention on the news.
について (about)
勾留されるのは怖いですね。
Being detained is scary, isn't it?
のは (nominalizer)
弁護士が勾留中の彼に会いました。
The lawyer met him while he was in detention.
中の (during, modifying noun)
証拠隠滅の恐れがあるため、勾留が決定した。
Detention was decided because there is a risk of evidence destruction.
ため (because of)
最大20日間の勾留が法律で定められている。
A maximum of 20 days of detention is stipulated by law.
定められている (is stipulated)
弁護士は勾留決定に対して不服を申し立てた。
The lawyer filed an appeal against the detention decision.
に対して (against/regarding)
起訴されるまで、彼は留置場で勾留される。
He will be detained in the holding cell until he is indicted.
まで (until)
不当な勾留は人権侵害になり得る。
Unjust detention can become a human rights violation.
になり得る (can become)
検察官は勾留請求を裁判所に行った。
The prosecutor made a detention request to the court.
請求 (request)
勾留期間が満了し、容疑者は釈放された。
The detention period expired, and the suspect was released.
満了し (expired and...)
家族は勾留中の彼と面会することができなかった。
The family could not visit him while he was in detention.
ことができなかった (could not do)
裁判所は逃亡の恐れを理由に勾留を認可した。
The court authorized the detention citing the risk of flight.
を理由に (citing as a reason)
接見禁止の勾留が続いているため、外部との連絡が絶たれている。
Because detention with a visitation ban continues, contact with the outside is cut off.
接見禁止 (visitation ban)
日本の刑事司法における長期勾留は国際的な批判を浴びている。
Long-term detention in Japan's criminal justice system is receiving international criticism.
における (in/regarding)
弁護側は勾留理由の開示を求める手続きをとった。
The defense took procedures to demand the disclosure of the reasons for detention.
開示 (disclosure)
別件逮捕による実質的な勾留期間の引き延ばしが問題視されている。
The de facto extension of the detention period through arrest on separate charges is viewed as a problem.
による (due to/by means of)
起訴後勾留に移行した後、保釈請求が可能となる。
After transitioning to post-indictment detention, a bail request becomes possible.
に移行した後 (after transitioning to)
裁判官は検察の勾留延長請求を却下した。
The judge dismissed the prosecution's request for detention extension.
却下した (dismissed/rejected)
勾留執行停止の申し立てが認められ、彼は一時的に病院へ移された。
The motion to suspend the execution of detention was approved, and he was temporarily moved to a hospital.
執行停止 (suspension of execution)
いわゆる「人質司法」の根幹には、自白を強要するための長期勾留がある。
At the core of so-called 'hostage justice' lies long-term detention aimed at coercing confessions.
根幹には〜がある (at the core lies...)
刑事訴訟法第60条に基づく勾留の要件を厳格に解釈すべきである。
The requirements for detention based on Article 60 of the Code of Criminal Procedure should be strictly interpreted.
に基づく (based on)
勾留質問において、被疑者は黙秘権を行使し、一切の供述を拒んだ。
During the detention hearing, the suspect exercised the right to remain silent and refused to make any statements.
において (in/during - formal)
裁判所は準抗告を棄却し、原審の勾留決定を維持した。
The court dismissed the quasi-appeal and upheld the original court's detention decision.
棄却し (dismissed and...)
不当勾留に対する国家賠償請求訴訟が提起された。
A state compensation lawsuit was filed against the unjust detention.
に対する (against)
起訴前勾留の限界を超えた取り調べは、違法収集証拠排除法則の適用対象となり得る。
Interrogation exceeding the limits of pre-indictment detention can be subject to the exclusionary rule for illegally obtained evidence.
となり得る (can become - formal)
検察官の勾留請求権の乱用を防ぐための制度的担保が不十分である。
Institutional guarantees to prevent the abuse of the prosecutor's right to request detention are insufficient.
を防ぐための (in order to prevent)
被疑者の防御権を保障するためには、勾留の要件をより厳格化する法改正が必要だ。
In order to guarantee the suspect's right of defense, a legal revision to make the requirements for detention stricter is necessary.
するためには (in order to do...)
身体拘束の長期化をもたらす起訴後勾留の運用実態は、自由権規約に抵触する疑いが濃厚である。
The actual operation of post-indictment detention, which brings about prolonged physical restraint, is highly suspected of conflicting with the ICCPR.
に抵触する疑いが濃厚である (is highly suspected of conflicting with)
裁判所が勾留理由開示公判において示す理由は、往々にして抽象的かつ定型的な文言に終始している。
The reasons presented by the court in detention reason disclosure hearings often end up being abstract and formulaic wording.
に終始している (ends up being entirely...)
裁量保釈が極めて限定的にしか認められない現状が、勾留の長期化を構造的に温存している。
The current situation where discretionary bail is granted only very restrictively structurally preserves the prolongation of detention.
限定的にしか〜ない (only restrictively...)
令状主義の形骸化を防ぐため、勾留質問における裁判官の司法的審査機能の抜本的強化が急務である。
To prevent the hollowing out of the warrant principle, a drastic strengthening of the judge's judicial review function during detention hearings is an urgent task.
の形骸化を防ぐため (to prevent the hollowing out of)
検察の抗告によって勾留執行停止が覆されるケースが散見され、司法の独立性に疑問を投げかけている。
Cases where the suspension of detention execution is overturned by prosecutorial appeal are seen here and there, casting doubt on judicial independence.
散見され (are seen scattered/here and there)
被疑者国選弁護制度の拡充にもかかわらず、勾留初期段階における接見交通権の制約は依然として深刻な課題だ。
Despite the expansion of the court-appointed defense counsel system for suspects, restrictions on the right of access to counsel in the initial stages of detention remain a serious issue.
にもかかわらず (despite)
勾留要件としての「罪証隠滅を疑うに足りる相当な理由」の認定基準が、実務上著しく緩和されているとの批判がある。
There is criticism that the standard for recognizing 'probable cause to suspect evidence tampering' as a requirement for detention has been significantly relaxed in practice.
との批判がある (there is criticism that)
未決拘禁者としての勾留被疑者の処遇は、無罪推定の原則に照らして、必要最小限の制限に留められなければならない。
The treatment of detained suspects as unconvicted prisoners must be kept to the minimum necessary restrictions in light of the presumption of innocence.
に照らして (in light of)
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
Often Confused With
Idioms & Expressions
Easily Confused
Sentence Patterns
How to Use It
Carries a heavy, serious tone. Implies state authority and loss of liberty.
Highly formal. Used in legal, journalistic, and academic contexts.
捕まっている (tsukamatteiru - being held/caught), パクられている (pakurareteiru - slang for arrested/held).
- Writing 拘留 instead of 勾留. This is the most critical error, as it changes the legal meaning from 'investigative detention' to 'penal imprisonment'.
- Using 勾留 to mean 'arrest'. The arrest (逮捕) happens first; 勾留 is the longer detention that follows.
- Saying '警察が勾留した' (The police detained him) as a final legal authority. Technically, the judge (裁判官) orders the detention, though police physically hold the suspect.
- Using 勾留 in casual situations, like '先生に勾留された' (I was detained by the teacher). This sounds ridiculous to a native speaker.
- Thinking bail (保釈) is possible during the initial 20-day 勾留. Bail is only an option after formal indictment.
Tips
Passive Voice is Key
Get comfortable with '勾留される' (to be detained). Since the state is the one doing the detaining, the suspect is almost always the subject of a passive sentence.
Learn the Timeline
Memorize the sequence: 逮捕 (Arrest) -> 勾留 (Detention) -> 起訴 (Indictment) -> 裁判 (Trial). This makes understanding legal news much easier.
Watch the Radical
To avoid confusing 勾留 and 拘留, remember that 勾 (hook) is for investigation, while 拘 (hand radical, implying physical seizure/punishment) is for the penal sentence.
News Context Clues
When listening to the news, if you hear 'kōryū' followed by 'enchō' (extension) or 'kettei' (decision), it is definitely 勾留.
The 20-Day Rule
Knowing that Japanese police have 23 days total (3 for arrest + 20 for detention) to investigate before charging someone is crucial cultural knowledge.
Newspaper Sections
To practice this word, read the 社会 (Shakai - Society) section of Japanese news websites like NHK or Yahoo News, where crime reports are published.
Formal Contexts Only
Never use 勾留 to describe being stuck in traffic or kept late at work. It is strictly a formal legal term.
Pair with 期間
Learn the compound noun 勾留期間 (kōryū kikan - detention period). It is one of the most common ways the word is used in print.
Understand the Reasons
For advanced learners, memorize the legal reasons for detention: 逃亡の恐れ (risk of flight) and 証拠隠滅の恐れ (risk of evidence tampering).
Watch Legal Dramas
Japanese TV shows like 'Hero' or '99.9' are fantastic resources for hearing 勾留 used naturally in dramatic, high-stakes conversations.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Imagine a HOOK (勾) catching a criminal and KEEPING (留) them in a cell. The judge says 'KO, you are RYU-ined (ruined) because you are in detention!'
Word Origin
Sino-Japanese (Kango)
Cultural Context
Suspects in 勾留 are usually held in police station holding cells (代用監獄 - substitute prisons) rather than specialized detention centers, which critics say gives police too much control over the suspect's daily life and interrogation environment.
If a suspect denies the charges, prosecutors are much more likely to request extensions to the 勾留 period and oppose bail, using detention as leverage.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
Conversation Starters
"最近のニュースで、あの政治家の勾留が延長されたのを見ましたか？ (Did you see in the recent news that the politician's detention was extended?)"
"日本の勾留期間は長すぎると海外から批判されていますが、どう思いますか？ (Japan's detention period is criticized from abroad as being too long; what do you think?)"
"逮捕と勾留の違いを正確に説明できますか？ (Can you accurately explain the difference between arrest and detention?)"
"もし不当に勾留されたら、どうやって身の潔白を証明しますか？ (If you were unjustly detained, how would you prove your innocence?)"
"ドラマでよく見る「接見禁止の勾留」って、本当にあんなに厳しいんですか？ (Is the 'detention with visitation ban' often seen in dramas really that strict?)"
Journal Prompts
Write a short news report summarizing a fictional crime, using the words 逮捕, 勾留, and 延長.
Discuss your opinion on the Japanese '20-day detention rule'. Is it necessary for justice, or a violation of rights?
Imagine you are a defense attorney. Write a paragraph arguing why your client's 勾留 should be canceled.
Explain the difference between 勾留 and 拘留 in your own words.
Reflect on a legal drama you watched where 勾留 was a major plot point.
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions逮捕 (taiho) is the initial arrest by police, lasting up to 72 hours. 勾留 (kōryū) is the subsequent detention ordered by a judge, lasting 10 to 20 days, to allow prosecutors more time to investigate before deciding whether to indict.
Before indictment (起訴前), the standard period is 10 days, which can be extended by another 10 days, for a maximum of 20 days. After indictment (起訴後), detention can theoretically continue for months or years until the trial ends, unless bail is granted.
During pre-indictment detention (起訴前勾留), bail is not legally permitted in Japan. Bail (保釈 - hoshaku) can only be requested after the suspect has been formally indicted (起訴後).
The kanji 勾 (kō) means 'to hook' or 'to capture'. It visually represents the state taking hold of an individual. Combined with 留 (ryū - to keep), it perfectly describes capturing and keeping someone in custody.
Legally, no. 勾留 is an investigative procedure to prevent flight or evidence tampering. However, because it involves severe restriction of freedom, critics argue it often feels like a punishment. The actual punishment of short-term imprisonment is 拘留 (different kanji).
Only a judge (裁判官) can order 勾留. The prosecutor (検察官) must submit a formal request to the court, and the judge reviews the evidence to decide if detention is necessary.
'Hostage justice' (人質司法 - hitojichi shihō) is a critical term used to describe the Japanese system where suspects are kept in prolonged 勾留, often being denied bail if they refuse to confess, effectively using detention as a hostage to extract a confession.
Yes, suspects have the constitutional right to meet with their defense attorney. However, in cases where a 'visitation ban' (接見禁止) is ordered, they cannot meet with anyone else, including family members.
When the pre-indictment 勾留 period expires (maximum 20 days), the prosecutor must either formally indict the suspect (charge them with a crime) or release them (釈放).
Type 'kouryuu' and press the spacebar to convert. Be very careful to select 勾留 (with the hook kanji) and not 拘留 (with the hand radical kanji), as they are homophones but have different legal meanings.
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Summary
勾留 (kōryū) is a formal legal term for court-ordered detention, crucial for understanding Japanese criminal news. It is distinct from an initial arrest (逮捕) and a penal sentence (拘留), serving specifically to hold suspects during investigations or trials.
- Court-ordered legal detention.
- Lasts 10-20 days pre-indictment.
- Prevents flight or evidence tampering.
- Requires a judge's approval.
Passive Voice is Key
Get comfortable with '勾留される' (to be detained). Since the state is the one doing the detaining, the suspect is almost always the subject of a passive sentence.
Learn the Timeline
Memorize the sequence: 逮捕 (Arrest) -> 勾留 (Detention) -> 起訴 (Indictment) -> 裁判 (Trial). This makes understanding legal news much easier.
Watch the Radical
To avoid confusing 勾留 and 拘留, remember that 勾 (hook) is for investigation, while 拘 (hand radical, implying physical seizure/punishment) is for the penal sentence.
News Context Clues
When listening to the news, if you hear 'kōryū' followed by 'enchō' (extension) or 'kettei' (decision), it is definitely 勾留.
Example
10日間勾留されます。
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A1A formal criminal complaint or legal accusation filed by a victim to the police or a prosecutor. It specifically refers to the victim's request for the offender to be punished under criminal law.
協定
A1A formal agreement or arrangement reached between two or more parties, often regarding mutual cooperation or rules. It is typically used in legal, political, or business contexts to establish standards or protocols.
恩赦
A1A formal act by a government or head of state to pardon people convicted of political or criminal offenses. It results in the reduction of sentences or the restoration of legal rights, usually granted during significant national events.
上訴
A1A legal term referring to the act of appealing a lower court's decision to a higher court to seek a reversal or modification. It is a general term that encompasses different types of appeals within the judicial system, such as kouso and joukoku.
可決
A1The official approval of a proposal, bill, or motion by a voting body or committee. It indicates that a formal decision has been made to accept and pass a specific suggestion after a deliberation process.
逮捕
A1The legal act of taking someone into custody by the police or authorities due to a suspected crime. It specifically refers to the restriction of physical freedom under law rather than just physical catching.
放火
A1The act of intentionally setting fire to a building, property, or forest. In Japanese society and law, it is regarded as a very serious criminal offense.
暴行
A1Bōkō refers to the act of using physical force or violence against a person. It is often used in legal contexts to describe assault or physical battery, implying a direct and harmful physical encounter.
保釈
A1Bail; the temporary release of an accused person awaiting trial, usually on the condition that a sum of money is paid to the court as a guarantee of their appearance. It specifically refers to the legal process of being freed from detention before a final judgment is made.
背任
A1A legal and business term referring to the act of a person in a position of trust acting against their duties to benefit themselves or a third party. This breach of trust results in financial or reputational damage to the employer or principal.
