The most frequently occurring crime in the nation has continued to be theft, making up more than 70 percent of the recorded cases. The overall clearance rate of Penal Code offenses in 2019 was 39 percent, while the larceny case clearance rate reached 34 percent.
The general crime rate in Japan is well below the U.S. national average. Crimes against U.S. citizens in Japan usually involve personal disputes, theft, or vandalism. Violent crime is rare, but it does exist. Sexual assaults are not often reported, but they do occur, and females may be randomly targeted.
Quite possibly the most common type of crime you may encounter in Tokyo is bicycle theft. Almost as common as people turning in lost items to the nearest police box, people “borrowing” unsecured bicycles at train stations is an everyday occurrence.
The most dangerous countries to visit in 2022 are Afghanistan, Central African Republic, Iraq, Libya, Mali, Somalia, South Sudan, Syria and Yemen according to the latest Travel Risk Map, an interactive tool produced by security specialists at International SOS.
In 2016, kidnapping rate for Japan was 0.2 cases per 100,000 population. Though Japan kidnapping rate fluctuated substantially in recent years, it tended to increase through 2007 - 2016 period ending at 0.2 cases per 100,000 population in 2016.
Japan is often called a safe country. In fact, Japan ranked 9th in the Global Peace Index released in June of 2020[1]. Among major developed countries, it ranked second to Canada.
Is Japan safe? In short, Japan is very safe and the crime rate is quite low. Like any other destination, though, travelers should be aware of their surroundings and know what to do in case something does happen.
In 2020, approximately 330.6 theft offenses were recognized by the police per 100,000 inhabitants in Japan, representing the crime type that most frequently occurred in Japanese society. Property damage followed with the rate of about 50.8 cases among 100,000 of the population.
Other than the police and the military, no one in Japan may purchase a handgun or a rifle. Hunters and target shooters may possess shotguns and airguns under strictly circumscribed conditions. The police check gun licensees' ammunition inventory to make sure there are no shells or pellets unaccounted for.
While this table contains some old data, it is clear that Japan is very safe when compared with other countries. There are only 0.99 cases in Japan for 51.04 in England and Wales, with 38.55 cases in the United States, and 20.12 in France.
Shoplifting is one of the most commonly seen crimes in Japan. It is punishable as theft by up to 10 years imprisonment or a fine of up to 500,000 yen (about 5000 USD).
The police in Japan recorded 874 murder cases in 2021. The number decreased by 55 cases compared to the previous year. A regional breakdown of murder cases shows that the majority of cases in 2021 occurred in Japan's Kanto region.
Although Japan is considered a very safe destination for tourists, you should still use your common sense to avoid trouble. We recommend a few simple precautions to keep you safe on your travels: Avoid going out by yourself at night to quiet or unlit areas, especially when you don't know your way around.
According to Numbeo, Tokyo has a crime index of 23.56 while New York has a crime index of 48.22. This shows that crime rates in New York are double those of Tokyo. Both cities are relatively safe to live in. However, Tokyo leads on the safety scale marking at 76.44, whereas New York records a safety scale of 51.78.
Number of missing people cases in Japan 2014-2021
The number of missing person cases in Japan amounted to more than 79 thousand in 2021, down from a record high of close to 88 thousand in 2018.
Don't blow your nose in public.
Blowing your nose in public in Japan is considered to be uncouth. Find a bathroom or another private place if you have to attend to a running nose. It's common to see people wearing face masks in public, especially in the winter.
The yakuza have done their best to portray a noble image within the public sphere. They dress nicely, are respectful and talk politely – when not trying to make money. Violence for the most part happens between gang branches or non-yakuza gangs within Japan.
Japan strictly prohibits entry of narcotics and related utensils, firearms, firearm parts and ammunition, explosives and gunpowder, precursor materials for chemical weapons, germs that are likely to be used for bioterrorism, counterfeit goods or imitation coins or currency, obscene materials, or goods that violate ...