Many foreigners mistakenly think that Japan is a completely safe country with no crime. People often confuse the concepts of “safest country” and “completely safe country”. Japan is one of the safest countries, but this does not mean that it is completely crime-free.
In Japan, crimes are committed in the same way as in other countries, and robberies and murders are committed in the same way in Japan as in other countries. The main difference between Japan and many countries is the number of crimes committed; in Japan (according to official statistics) they are committed much less than in many developed countries.
Current crime rate in Japan
In Japan it is at a fairly low level compared to European countries. The detection rate of crimes in Japan is at a fairly high level, with an average detection rate of 39%. Mostly petty crimes are committed: pickpocketing, credit card tampering, bicycle theft, etc.
If we talk about crimes of moderate gravity (for example, robbery), then such crimes are committed much less frequently, and are often committed by migrants from other countries.
Currently, high-tech crimes have become a serious problem; due to the widespread introduction of blockchain technologies, it is becoming increasingly difficult to track criminals, so the Japanese police urge you to be especially vigilant when using bank cards or transactions made using blockchain technologies.
There are sad events when some mentally ill person attacks the crowd with a knife, sets fire to an anime studio, or a jealous wife kills her husband in a fit of rage, but such cases are very rare.
The number of crimes has decreased for 11 years in a row, the arrest rate is 30%
According to the White Paper on Crime published in 2012 by the Japanese Ministry of Justice, the number of criminal offenses known to the police (the number of crimes committed that the police have information about, or reported crimes) reached its highest point in 2002, amounting to approximately 3 million 690 thousand cases, and since 2003 this indicator has been decreasing.
A major factor driving this trend is the annual decline in the number of thefts known to the police, which account for more than half of all criminal offenses. According to statistics from the National Police Agency of Japan, in 2013, the police became aware of 1 million 320 thousand criminal offenses, and their number has been declining for eleven years in a row. However, the percentage of arrests of persons who committed crimes (arrest rate) in 2001 dropped to the lowest level in post-war history, amounting to 38.8% of the total number of criminal offenses and 19.8% for ordinary criminal cases (that is, for excluding criminal cases of careless and dangerous driving resulting in death or bodily injury, as well as cases of criminal negligence in the performance of official duties, etc. - approx. transl.). Since 2002, this indicator began to grow, and since 2006 it has changed slightly, remaining approximately at the same level. In 2012, it increased to 53.1% of the total number of crimes and 31.7% for ordinary crimes. The arrest rate for serious crimes such as murder and robbery, as well as for crimes of a violent nature (assault, threats of violence) remains high. As for crimes that occur in everyday life, such as theft of bicycles and other vehicles, damage to property, etc., the arrest and detention rate is low due to the large number of cases.
The media widely covers cases of murders committed by persons who pursued the victim for sexual motives, forcible confinement of girls, as well as other crimes that plague society, but crimes that occur much more often near us remain unsolved in large numbers. Therefore, despite the fact that the number of crimes known to the police is becoming smaller, this does not greatly contribute to the spread among ordinary people of the understanding that the situation with public safety is improving. In recent years, there has been a large number of cases of fraud targeting older people, as well as crimes related to drug trafficking and drug use. Moreover, the threat to the lives of ordinary people is also posed by the increase in the number and scope of crimes using computer networks - so-called network or cyber crimes.
Foreign workers
It is worth noting that now, due to the new migration policy, the number of crimes in Japan is increasing every year. Mainly there is an increase in street crime. Over the past few years, the number of street thefts and assaults has increased in Japan. Mostly migrant workers from China, the Philippines and Thailand do this type of work.
Suspicious characters near Ueno Park
Japan has a high level of peacefulness compared to other countries
There is such an indicator in the world as the Global Peace Index (*3). The calculation of this index, which is carried out by the British magazine The Economist, is an attempt to analyze and assess the relative level of peacefulness of a particular state or territory. At the same time, not only crime statistics are taken into account, but also internal and external armed conflicts, relations with neighboring states, the likelihood of violence - in total, the assessment is made according to 24 parameters. Japan ranked fifth out of 158 countries in the world peace ranking in 2012, and sixth in 2013. Between 2007 and 2009, the country ranked from fifth to seventh, and in 2010-2011 it rose to third place, thus consistently maintaining its top position as a “safe country to live in.”
Yakuza
I will tell you in more detail about the current state of the Yakuza in Japan in another article, because now we are interested in another question, namely whether the Yakuza can be dangerous for an ordinary tourist. If you are an ordinary tourist, then you should not be afraid of the Yakuza, because if you do not approach it yourself (for example, decide to take a selfie with a member of the Yakuza), then the members of this criminal community will simply not be interested in you. Most Yakuza members abide by the code, and in most cases will not interfere with a foreign tourist.
Countries are leaders in crime levels
In 2021, as in previous years, the following countries in the world are recognized as unsafe countries for both men and women:
- Gaza Strip;
- Sudan;
- Somalia;
- Iraq;
- Colombia.
Experts note that it is dangerous to be in these countries, as you can get into trouble.
There is a very high chance that a person who left for Somalia, Colombia or Iraq may not return to his homeland at all. And no one will look for his body, because the states have huge problems with security and the work of law enforcement agencies.
In the Gaza Strip, foreigners often become victims of random attacks or are taken hostage by terrorists.
Sudan is a very poor country where people are killed every day for food or water. Even children walk around here with weapons or grenades.
Many young people are members of terrorist organizations that kidnap foreigners. The same situation is observed in Somalia, where people are kidnapped for ransom.
Statistics of murders in the world per 100 thousand people
In Iraq, clashes between factions, terrorist organizations, and civil war have created an atmosphere of constant fear and panic.
The situation itself is not conducive to coming to Iraq. Those who took the risk and went here may not return home. Terrorists feel like they are the masters of the country, controlling the circulation of weapons and drugs.
In Colombia, crimes such as kidnapping, murder, organ and drug trafficking have become widespread.
The list of the most unsafe countries for women includes:
- Afghanistan.
- Congo.
- Pakistan.
- India.
- Somalia.
- Guatemala.
- Iraq.
- Chad.
- Sudan.
- Mali.
In these states, the crime rate is measured by the following indicators:
- Social status of women.
- Level of education among women and access to it.
- Providing qualified medical care.
- Rates of domestic and sexual violence.
In Afghanistan, there is a high mortality rate among women giving birth, a high level of illiteracy among women, non-compliance with their rights, forced marriage, and humiliation.
World mortality rate
In the Congo, there is a very high threshold of violence against girls of all ages and women. Official statistics cannot accurately calculate how many women, girls and girls become victims of violence every year.
In addition, there is a complete lack of medicine in the Congo, which reduces life expectancy.
In Pakistan and India, kidnappings of girls, honor killings, and taking the lives of women suspected of violating the rules of the family are common.
Top 5 countries by number of executions by court order
Somalia, Guatemala, and Iraq are characterized by high levels of domestic violence and gender discrimination. In Somalia, female circumcision is practiced, due to which a large number of girls and women die.
In Sudan, the situation is no better, attempts to introduce human rights mechanisms to protect women's rights fail at the initial stage. Sudan leads in the number of murders, violence, and kidnappings, the victims of which are women.
In Chad and Mali, the fair sex is deprived of any rights; girls' childhood ends very early. They are married off at the age of 10-12, before which they often become victims of violence from older relatives.
Number of prisoners per capita in some countries
In each of these countries, the crime rate may be higher or lower, but there are common factors:
- States have an unstable situation in the economic, political and social sphere. As a result, lawlessness, terrorism, crime began to develop, and murder and theft of people became normal.
- There are no human rights mechanisms.
- Unwritten law prevails over codified law.
- The societies of African and Asian states are permeated with Islam vertically and horizontally.
This largely determines the attitude towards women.
Criminal situation
The specificity of life in Japan is such that its residents practically do not commit illegal actions. The reason for this lies in upbringing. The vast majority of Japanese never break the law. Nevertheless, crime is present in Japan. There is drug trafficking, contract killings, and prostitution here. This is what the famous Japanese mafia, the Yakuza, does. This is a well-developed criminal structure. It represents organized gangster groups (families) that have long divided spheres of influence among themselves. They own chains of restaurants, casinos, and nightlife establishments. Tourists do not have to worry about the Yakuza; they do not engage in such trifles as muggings and thefts.
However, in Japan there is some danger for tourists to become victims of street fights or drunken brawls.
In megacities such as Tokyo, Osaka, Yokohama, nightlife is quite vibrant. Most tourist accidents occur in busy nighttime areas. In Tokyo, these are the Kabuki-cho and Roppongi areas. Tourists should avoid visiting such places at night. Girls should not indulge in alcoholic beverages and encourage the advances of men. It is strictly not recommended to enter into altercations with bartenders or bar security. Local police often defend their citizens, ignoring the claims of foreigners. If an incident does occur, you should call the police on 110 and calmly wait for their arrival. Another common danger for tourists is bank card fraud. This happens more often in big cities than in small towns. It is advisable to use bank cards only in large restaurants and shopping centers.
Only old men go into battle
Gang sidings have left one Yamaguchi-gumi boss still on the job at the age of 83, while his rival Kobe Yamaguchi-gumi's boss is 79 years old.
Gang warfare often results in the arrests of gangsters well over 60 years of age.
Yakuza kidnap the manager of the Maid Cafe
Turf wars that were once settled by young men eager to impress their bosses are now fought by men in middle age. a 68-year-old member of a gang associated with the Yamaguchi-gumi was arrested at the scene
The double whammy of skewed demographics and prosecutions has forced Japan's yakuza crime syndicates to call on middle-aged men to do their dirtiest work as they struggle to attract new blood to fill their dwindling ranks.
More than a decade of police crackdowns on major gangs and economic instability have made it difficult for the yakuza to entice young people with promises of easy money. Instead, they face decades of risky defense of their superiors and longer prison sentences —all with no prospect of retirement. Longer sentences, including life imprisonment for some murders, mean rewards for bravery and loyalty are no longer guaranteed.
“If you go to prison now, it’s practically the end of you,” says the former chieftain, adding that older men whose livers have been destroyed by tattoos all over their bodies and decades of drug and alcohol abuse could “expect to die behind bars.”
