
Now that summer vacation has started in Japan as well, how are the Japanese police forces finding the popular smartphone game?
Pokémon Go is a unique app that has, unquestionably, taken the world by storm — and it’s had a far-ranging impact beyond just game play with the release of physical items to make sure you catch the Pokémon and attention being brought to children in Syria. And even the Japanese police are getting in on the excitement, because the game makes it so easy to find minors who shouldn’t be out late!
【今日ポリスメンと飲んで分かった事】
— ハーーナ殿下🍎漫画原作家(兼ラノベ作家) (@hanadenka) July 25, 2016
・全国の警察はポケモンGO&夏休みで未成年の補導を開始している
・警察もポケモンGOのシステムは理解している。深夜公園のルアーが多いスポットには、警察もアプリで確認して補導に出る
・無灯火スマホ自転車はゲット対象
※思っていた以上に対応が早い
In this tweet, Twitter user @hanadenka says that Japanese police have offered their advice to minors about the summer vacation and Pokémon Go. The police are intimately familiar with the game and understand that a lure at a Pokéstop will attract plenty of players even if it’s late at night. Officers will be checking the game during the evening hours to see if Pokéstops in parks are getting lures and will check on the area to keep minors safe. They will also be on the lookout for young people who are riding their bikes with a mounted smartphone but no lights.
Students in Japan have a lot of rules they have to be aware of during summer vacation and with a hot, new game promoting active behavior, the police in Japan are doing everything they can to keep people safe. Hopefully they’ll have good luck with achieving that goal!
Source: Hachima Kiko
Top image: Flickr/megawheel360


Pokémon GO Plus accessory already amassing heaps of complaints – even before it’s released
Getting tired of Pokémon Go? Maybe visiting the Pokémon manhole covers will reignite your passion
Pokémon Go at the American Embassy in Japan: A Police Officer Appears!
Here’s how the awesome new Pokémon GO mobile game will look on your smartphone
Have plans to visit Tottori’s sand dunes this summer? Catch some Pokémon while you’re at it!
Japan’s final Penguin Suica train cards have already shipped, and when they’re gone, they’re gone
Farewell Final Ceremony announced for Tokyo’s life-size Gundam statue, will stream live
Japan approves foreign resident visa renewal fee increases of up to 967 percent, starts soon
Hobonichi unveils new 2027 planners, diaries and stationery with One Piece, Suica Penguin, Hello Kitty and a must-buy Mini Techo
Nonstop flights from U.S. to Okinawa return after 54 years, making travel faster than before
Starbucks Japan adds a gooey sweet potato Frappuccino to its menu this autumn
Starting this fall, you’ll be able to take a Pokémon Jet flight to Japan
Godiva Japan hops into tsukimi season with bunny and moon-themed chocolate assortments
McDonald’s Japan reveals exclusive new Tsukimi moon viewing collection for 2026
Tokaido Lumière Express: Stay overnight inside the Shinkansen from Osaka to Tokyo
7-year-old boy left behind on Mt. Fuji by his own dad
Sushi Bus: Japan’s first conveyor-belt bus lets you eat sushi while sightseeing around Tokyo
Japan tripled its departure tax to fund tourism but is using the money on cherry blossoms and bears
Nike x One Piece collection brings Devil Fruits to sneakers and streetwear in Japan
Anime fans can now wear a Seiko watch inspired by Japan’s One Piece Shinkansen
Foreign hiker on Mt. Fuji loses consciousness and dies, becoming climbing season’s second fatality
We recommend not buying one pack of Japan’s new convenience store corn soup-flavor fried chicken
Police in Japan looking for who’s responsible for dumping 80 loaves of bread on side of road [Video]
Japan’s double-decker portable rice cooker/bento maker is better than ever with new version
12-year-old British girl who went missing in Tokyo found safe after visiting anime sites around Yokohama
Air-conditioned dress shirts arrive in Japan to save working professionals from sweltering heat
Pokémon Center Online designates first Pokémon items that will require Japanese ID card to buy
Japanese toilet aims to attract foreign tourists but not everybody is happy about it
Tokyo’s newest viral dessert is like a Japanese parfait inside a bread bun [Taste test]
New Japanese vending machine at Shinkansen station sells cups of ice on platform
Study finds hundreds of people in Indonesia legally named after Naruto, Inuyasha, other anime stars
Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Studio Ghibli has a new anime out, and there’s only one place in the world where you can see it
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Tokyo subway installing new ticket gates that don’t accept payment through Suica or other IC cards
Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
Pokémon GO Plus Accessory Launches on September 16
We asked a Niantic insider 30 questions about Pokémon Go, learned a lot of useful information
We Pokémon GO to Utsunomiya City for some Pokétourism
Nationwide Pokémon GO ban sought by Indian lawsuit that claims title is religiously offensive
Pokémon GO adding team-up battles to finally deliver on one of its earliest promises
Is Pokémon Go helping prevent deaths at one of Japan’s most notorious suicide spots?
Famous suicide spot turned Pokémon GO hotspot reports zero deaths so far in 2017
Can you catch Pokémon GO Pokémon in the Sahara Desert? We head to North Africa and find out
We visited Saitama’s Pokémon GO-themed cafe to live the Pokémon trainer dream【Photos】
Survey reveals why Japanese players quit Pokémon GO, and it’s likely not for the reason you think
Hiroshima requests removal of Pokémon GO facilities from Peace Memorial Park
Pokémon Go warned players not to play during typhoons, players played anyway
Pokémon GO preserves the memory of building lost in Japan’s 2011 tsunami by making it a PokéStop
Pokémon Go to Launch for Apple Watch
Japanese Twitter users reveal the logic behind the 5K eggs in Pokémon Go