'Necessity - national proceedings' in document 'Japan - Penal Code'

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RELEVANT SECTIONS OF THE IMPLEMENTING LEGISLATION

PART I. GENERAL PROVISIONS

Chapter VII. Unpunishable Acts and Reduction or Remission of Punishment

Article 37. (Averting present Danger)

(1) An act unavoidably performed to avert a present danger to the life, body, liberty or property of oneself or any other person is not punishable only when the harm produced by such act does not exceed the harm to be averted; provided, however, that an act causing excessive harm may lead to the punishment being reduced or may exculpate the offender in light of the circumstances.
(2) The preceding paragraph does not apply to a person under special professional obligation.