is japan a safe place?

Answer 1

The number of reported crimes in Japan has risen to a record high and the rate of arrests has fallen.
Nearly 1.3 million offences were reported to the police in the first six months of the year, a 16% increase on the same period in 2000.



We must increase the number of officers

Setsuo Tanaka
Police chief
The vast majority of cases were less serious crimes - such as car thefts and burglaries.

But correspondents say the figures have nevertheless caused concern in a country which has traditionally had one of the lowest crime rates in the world.

Analysts have suggested the increase may be partly due to the economic downturn in Japan and the breakdown of some family values within society.

Violent crime

It is only the second time since World War II that the figure has exceeded one million, and the director of the National Police Agency, Setsuo Tanaka, said officers needed more resources to cope.



Arrest rates have also fallen

"The [current police] organisation is not adequate," Mr Tanaka told a news conference on Thursday. "We must increase the number of officers."

In the last few years Japan has also been shocked by a wave of violent crimes.

In one of the worst incidents a man walked into a primary school in June and randomly stabbed to death eight children.

And in 1997, a 14-year-old boy in Kobe, western Japan, chopped off another pupil's head and stuck it on the school gates.

The arrest rate for serious crimes such as murder fell below 60% for the first time ever, to 54.5% from 65.1%, the report said. The arrest rate for all crime fell to 19% from 25.3% a year earlier,

The number of crimes committed by teenagers aged 14 to 19 rose by 2.8% to 61,414, the first increase in three years.

Answer 2

This really depends on what you consider "Safe." By a "Safe" place, Japan has extremelly low occurances of violent crimes so I wouldn't worry about getting robbed, beaten or raped late at night. Now, this may shock some of those who have just read about Japan or get there information from hearsay but just like any other place in the world, Japan is not immune to crime. There are gangs who are into drugs just like here in the US and they will break into your car or house and steal your stuff or vehicle to fund their habits, the chances of this are very low but it can happen. Burglary is common, but be smart and lock up and you will be fine. Unlike the US, burglars generally strike unlocked and unoccupied homes and won't usually break anything to get inside a home.

Don't believe the BS you hear about Japan, although violent crime is low, there are still scam artists, pick pockets and various theives about. Usually they are foriegn people but the average American traveling to Japan most likely wouldn't notice the difference between a Japanese person or other Asian race. Bottom line is- Be aware of your surroundings, lock your doors and windows when you leave and secure your valuables like you would in the US and you will be fine. In my 7 years in Japan, the only time I ever delt with any crime was when a friend's car was stolen. He was American and the police eventually recovered his car, crashed by some Filipino gang. I helped salvage the engine and some other parts for him.

Will you get beaten, mugged or raped in Japan? Almost no chance...

Will a pick pocket take your wallet on a packed train? Maybe, so just be aware of your surroundings and you will be fine...

Answer 3

Metaphorically speaking, If I were to compare it to anything, I'd say living in Japan (Tokyo) is as safe as driving a car in a quiet residential neighborhood. You'll see occaisional accident and you may very will be in one yourself, but they are very rarely fatal and not THAT common.
BUT you ARE afterall driving a car (metaphorically speaking) so you have to be on the look out to avoid accidents and drive carefully even though you're not moving at high speeds.

On the otherhand, I think the safety in a major city in the US is like driving on a freeway (Highway). A much higher rate of getting in an accident and alot more damage (many times fatal) if you're unlucky or not being careful of your surroundings.

The point is, you don't wake up in the morning hoping you'll be in accident no matter where you live. In Japan or the US.
But there is always a chance of it happening.
Getting in some kind of trouble or harm in Tokyo is rare but it's always a possibility even though the rate is low. So be careful and don't do anything (Outrageously) stupid.

Make sense?
Hopefully I didn't just manage to make myself sound really retarded.

Answer 4

Absolutely! I have been there alone three times in the past six months, and no matter where I go (and I am adventurous), I am never concerned for my safety.

The worst thing that might happen is that in a few places (Roppongi and Kabuki-cho) you get asked every 20 feet if you want to "see a show."

Answer 5

I would have to say "yes" and "no".

As most people have said, Japan is known around the world for its safeness. And on general level, it is right. However, just like every other place in the world it does have its share of dangerous places. Granted, you don't have to fear for your life as you would if you were in Chicago, N. Rush st. But dangerous none the less.

My fears are especially with with Jr. High schools. News about Jr. High students killing for no apparent reason just totally scares me. I never had that fear in the US. When I bring my young kids to a park and Jr. High kids are there, I always take extra precautions.

Good luck.

Answer 6

If you were to compare Japan to say, the U.S.... MUCH MUCH safer!!

No worries about walking alone at night.

Trains are safe any time of day, (might get the occasional drunkard, but that's expected!!)

Great place to live for convenience, great shopping and fabulous food!!

B.

Answer 7

Japan is one of the safest countries in the world. The crime rate is very low. It is a very safe place to live.

Answer 8

Yes, the crime rates in Japan are significantly lower than most countries. Vendors have all their wares outside on the street, if that doesnt convince you of how trusting these people are. Of course, their is a certain element, their are pickpocketers which is a result of dense crowds and crowded subways, all of which are common there.keep your money in a safe place like on your ankle or on a money belt.

Answer 9

compared to lots of other countries that I've lived or been to, I'd say ya. of course the exact safeness would depend on what area of japan your talking about, but you can totally walk in the streets alone whereabouts it may be.

Answer 10

Yes, it is quite safe. It is a low crime rate country. Safer than New York. BUT low crime does not mean no-crime. Generally, is very safe for tourists,