The current international flow of populations has continued to assume large and serious proportions in Japan. The Japanese legal system, especially its criminal justice procedure, is therefore facing an imminent need to cope with the complex cultural barriers and human rights issues involving foreigners. The study aims to survey the Japanese criminal justice system as it applies to foreigners, including illegal aliens, evaluate policies, practices and procedures, and compare the Japanese experience with those in the United States and the European Community, which have long confronted the issue of how best to ensure that people with linguistic and cultural handicaps are treated fairly under the law. The study also intends to offer a theoretical framework and recommend specific changes in public policy to address the problems facing the legal system.