http://www.asahi.com/english/nation/TKY200408260215.html:
The Asahi Shimbun
Proposed revisions would make it possible to send children under the age of 14 to reformatories.
In a bid to get tougher on juvenile criminals, the Justice Ministry is planning to revise the law so that minors under 14 years of age can be sent to reformatories rather than simply placed in the protective custody, sources said Wednesday.
The revisions would also give police a freer hand in conducting investigations.
At present, in principle only minors 14 years of age or older can be sent to reformatories.
They added that once the Juvenile Law is revised, under-14s could be packed off to reformatories if they are deemed likely to commit further crimes. "
