Japan 2020 Crime & Safety Report
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Japan 2020 Crime & Safety Report This is an annual report produced in conjunction with the Regional Security Office at the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo. OSAC encourages travelers to use this report to gain baseline knowledge of security conditions in Japan. For more in-depth information, review OSAC’s Japan country page for original OSAC reporting, consular messages, and contact information, some of which may be available only to private-sector representatives with an OSAC password. Travel Advisory The current U.S. Department of State Travel Advisory at the date of this report’s publication assesses Japan at Level 2, indicating travelers should exercise increased caution due to due to an outbreak of COVID-19. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, Japan’s Travel Advisory was assessed as a Level 1. Review OSAC’s report, Understanding the Consular Travel Advisory System. Overall Crime and Safety Situation Crime Threats The U.S. Department of State has assessed all cities with U.S. diplomatic posts in Japan as being LOW- threat locations for crime directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests. The crime rate in Japan is generally well below the U.S. national average. Crimes targeting foreigners are seldom, especially as Tokyo has touted itself as “the world’s safest big city” in preparation for the now-postponed 2020 Olympic Games. The Economist Intelligence Unit ranked Tokyo and Osaka as the world’s number one and number three safest cities for 2019. Pickpocketing and other petty crimes do sometimes take place in crowded shopping areas, bars and nightclubs, and public transportation hubs. However, reports of these crimes victimizing diplomats, tourists, and business travelers have declined considerably over the past year. Review OSAC’s report, All That You Should Leave Behind. Illicit narcotics trade and prostitution occur throughout many of Japan’s after-hours bar districts, but these activities are largely discreet in nature. Japanese society considers these “victimless crimes.” In some bar districts popular with foreigners and tourists, bar touts may sometimes try to lure foreign customers into their establishments with unusually inexpensive drink prices. In many of these establishments, once the customer enters the bar, management charges exorbitant prices, especially when using credit cards. On occasion, drink spiking has incapacitated customers to run up large purchases on credit cards (especially in areas such as Roppongi and Kabuki-cho, near Shinjuku in Tokyo). Order drinks in cans or bottles that servers open in front of you, and maintain control of drinks at all times. Use caution in all entertainment and nightlife districts throughout Japan, especially Roppongi, Kabuki-cho, Shibuya, and Ikebukuro in Tokyo. Review OSAC’s report, Shaken: The Don’ts of Alcohol Abroad. 1 There have been reports of U.S. citizens being forcibly taken to ATMs and robbed, or made to withdraw funds after being unable to pay exorbitant bar tabs. When victims report bar-related crimes to local police, a subsequent investigation and review of surveillance video may show what appears to be the victim willingly withdrawing money from an ATM or signing a bar tab. As a result, the victim has little recourse in recouping lost funds. In instances involving credit card theft or fraud, Japanese police often provide a report number rather than a police report. You can provide this report number to your credit card company in order to confirm the incident with the police. Review OSAC’s reports, The Overseas Traveler’s Guide to ATM Skimmers & Fraud and Taking Credit. Cybersecurity Issues Cybercrime is an increasing concern throughout Japan. Always take care in protecting sensitive or proprietary information (including personally identifiable information). Use discretion when connecting to networks in internet cafés, hotel business centers, or Wi-Fi “hotspots,” such as those found at coffee shops. Review OSAC’s reports, Cybersecurity Basics, Best Practices for Maximizing Security on Public Wi- Fi, Traveling with Mobile Devices: Trends & Best Practices, and Satellite Phones: Critical or Contraband? Transportation-Safety Situation Road Safety and Road Conditions Driving in Japan is complicated and expensive. Traffic moves on the left side of the road. Those who cannot read the language will have trouble understanding road signs. Highway tolls can be very high. City traffic is often very congested. A 20-mile trip in the Tokyo area may take two hours. There is virtually no legal roadside or curbside parking. Those parked illegally at curbside commonly block traffic. In mountainous areas, roads often close during the winter, and cars should have tire chains. Roads in Japan are much narrower in Japan than in the United States. Traffic moves on the left in Japan and vehicles are right-side drive. Visitors, especially those from countries where traffic moves on the right, should take care when walking or driving throughout Japan. Road conditions and road safety standards generally meet or exceed U.S standards, except in the most remote areas or islands. Roads are well-maintained, with extensive lighting. Vehicle accidents involving pedestrians and bicyclists are common. Traffic enforcement includes the extensive use of cameras. Turning on red lights is not legal. All passengers are required to fasten their seat belts. Japanese has a zero-tolerance policy regarding driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs; penalties can be severe. Once under arest, a subject can expect to remain in police custody for up to 23 days while the police investigate. There may also be additional fines or jail time imposed during sentencing. Japanese law provides that all drivers in Japan are liable in the event of an accident, and assesses fault in an accident on all parties. Japanese compulsory insurance (JCI) is mandatory for all automobile owners and drivers in Japan. Most short-term visitors choose not to drive in Japan. Review OSAC’s reports, Road Safety Abroad, Driving Overseas: Best Practices, and Evasive Driving Techniques; and read the State Department’s webpage on driving and road safety abroad. 2 Public Transportation Conditions Public transportation throughout Japan is excellent in terms of efficiency and safety. The railway system is composed of a combination of subways, local trains, and high-speed inter-city trains. Crimes victimizing women (Japanese and foreigners alike) on crowded subway trains are common. Men groping female passengers or taking lewd photos of women, specifically targeting those wearing skirts or dresses, are the most common types of such crime. Because of the prevalence of these female-focused crimes, Japanese authorities have designated certain cars as “women only” during crowded rush hours. Women should be aware of their surroundings while riding the subway. In some instances, when a woman actually catches someone committing a lewd act against her, jostling or a physical fight may ensue. Should these actions result in injuries to either party, the police may view those injuries as a greater offense than the sexual assault. Depending on the injuries, the police could arrest the female for “assaulting” the male, even though a Westerner would view her actions as purely self-defense. Review the State Department’s webpage on security for female travelers. Review OSAC’s report, Security In Transit: Airplanes, Public Transport, and Overnights. Terrorism Threat The U.S. Department of State has assessed all cities with U.S. diplomatic posts in Japan as being LOW- threat locations for terrorism directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests. There are no widely prevalent indigenous terrorist organizations in Japan, which is not a known base of support or sympathy for terrorists. There have been a limited number of ISIS-related sympathizers among Japanese nationals. Reportedly, a small number of Japanese nationals have traveled or attempted to travel to Syria to join ISIS. There have been no indications that radicalized foreign and/or indigenous terrorist groups are seeking to target the now-postponed Olympic Games. While Japan has not experienced any incidents related to international terrorism in the last decade, travelers should maintain a high level of vigilance and practice good situational awareness abroad. Political, Economic, Religious, and Ethnic Violence Civil Unrest The U.S. Department of State has assessed all cities with U.S. diplomatic posts in Japan as being LOW- threat locations for political violence directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests. Violent demonstrations and acts of civil unrest are very rare in Japan. Most protests are peaceful and require a government application and an official permit. The police closely monitor demonstrations and inform the Regional Security Office at the U.S. Embassy about planned protests and whether they expect disruptions. 3 Anti-U.S./Anti-Western Sentiment The U.S Mission in Japan spanning the Embassy in Tokyo and five other constituent posts in Naha, Nagoya, Osaka-Kobe, Fukuoka, and Sapporo frequently experience small-scale demonstrations, usually in response to historical grievances and/or current U.S. policies. However, these demonstrations usually occur without incident and prompt close monitoring by Japan’s law enforcement and security services. Individuals seeking to demonstrate/protest in Japan must obtain a permit from the police to do so. Post-specific Concerns Environmental Hazards Japan frequently natural disasters and extreme weather events. However, its capabilities in the areas of disaster response are world-renowned. Japan regularly experiences earthquakes and tremors due to its location in an active seismic region known as the “Ring of Fire.” Japan has made great advances in building, railway, and road construction that minimizes collateral damage in metropolitan areas. Nevertheless, coastal cities remain susceptible to tsunamis, which stem from earthquake epicenters in the ocean, and can arrive on shore within minutes. These tidal waves can cause widespread destruction of property and can lead to loss of life. Japan’s typhoon season typically lasts from July to October.