Crime-prevention
Our Japanese-language writer, Yuichiro Wasai, offers a rare look inside the country’s largest prison with a series of original drawings!
We’ve all heard about how safe Japan is. But unless you live here, you may not understand why Japan is considered so safe. The uninitiated may presume that safety is enforced through a rigid society that doesn’t allow freedom of expression, that Japanese people are too worried about losing face to commit a crime, or that the government comes down unnecessarily hard on people who step out of line. In reality, none of these rings true.
But we can’t deny that there’s one thing that Japan does better than anyone else. Join us after the jump for some insights and our own observations.
As you probably know, Japan is infamous for chikan – people who grope others in crowded areas, like crowded trains and buses. As you also probably know, Japan has a long history of doing things in bizarre and not-very-effective ways.
So what do we get when the two come together? Ridiculous anti-chikan stickers for cell phones put out by the Saitama Prefecture Police department. And these aren’t just stickers you’re supposed to use to keep potential chikan away, these are stickers you’re meant to use offensively! Ka-pow!
With shades of Minority Report, Japanese security services company SECOM unveiled an autonomous flying crime-prevention robot to the press on December 26. Basically a flying surveillance camera, the robot is the first of its kind in the world to be offered for private security use. Shuji Maeda, SECOM’s president, said he hoped to make the device available in 2014.
Read More
MOST POPULAR
Now
Injuries on stairs in Tokyo highlight an overlooked design flaw
Kinotake Mother AI developed to study Japan’s divide between chocolate cookie snacks
Wisteria season starts early with blooming of Japan’s Great Wisteria in its beautiful garden
New Studio Ghibli die-cast anime cars on their way, even if neither one is really a car【Pics】
Kyoto samurai house wants to share its history of seppuku, torture and gold coins with visitors
What exactly is the treat known as a “kougnané” that’s sold outside Tokyo’s Yurakucho Station?
We got our first “rail seal stamp” and an extra splash of happiness at a train station in Fukuoka
Pokémon becomes fine art with series of two hand-crafted Pikachu woodblock prints fans can buy
You can now get Poké Ball-shape diamonds for your rings in Japan【Photos】
We have way too much fun making Demon Slayer anime erasers and badges with craft kits
Weekly
- Wisteria season starts early with blooming of Japan’s Great Wisteria in its beautiful garden
Japan’s best conveyor belt sushi restaurant of seven years ago has now, finally, come to Tokyo
Mt. Fuji decorated with a 500,000-flower pink carpet is Japan’s ultimate spring view
Lawson convenience store at popular tourist site is one of the most unusual in Japan
Japanese trains in Sapporo might be better than those in Tokyo, thanks to one special feature- Injuries on stairs in Tokyo highlight an overlooked design flaw
Japanese government wants overseas anime market to roughly triple in 10 years, but are they crazy?
30 Pikachus want to share a Tokyo hotel room with you that has separate Grass, Water, Fire spaces
Japanese bento shop sells croquettes for 13 cents, but are they any good?
Starbucks Japan releases FIVE new Frappuccinos in a day, and we try them all in 90 minutes
Monthly
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events- Wisteria season starts early with blooming of Japan’s Great Wisteria in its beautiful garden
Japan now has a special desk for people who work at home with a pet cat[Photos]- Japan’s best conveyor belt sushi restaurant of seven years ago has now, finally, come to Tokyo
Famous Tokyo cherry blossom spot installs view-blocking screens to fight overcrowding[Video]
Uniqlo announces new T-shirts for One Piece, Naruto and more for manga publisher’s 100th birthday
Starbucks Japan releases new My Fruit³ Frappuccino at only 34 stores around the country
Krispy Kreme releases Super Mario doughnuts in Japan for a limited time
Japanese onsen egg maker from 100-yen store Daiso needs to be on your shopping list
Yearly
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
RECOMMENDED STORIES
What exactly is the treat known as a “kougnané” that’s sold outside Tokyo’s Yurakucho Station?
We got our first “rail seal stamp” and an extra splash of happiness at a train station in Fukuoka
Pokémon becomes fine art with series of two hand-crafted Pikachu woodblock prints fans can buy
You can now get Poké Ball-shape diamonds for your rings in Japan【Photos】
We have way too much fun making Demon Slayer anime erasers and badges with craft kits
Mt. Fuji decorated with a 500,000-flower pink carpet is Japan’s ultimate spring view
Official Pokémon bubble teas coming to Japan!
Japan’s popular bead bonsai kit is as beautiful as it is gruelling to make
Japanese bento shop sells croquettes for 13 cents, but are they any good?
Looking to have the best night out on Ishigaki Island in Okinawa? Go to this enka pub right now
Sanrio’s best-loved butthole defies physics in adorable sumo collaboration[Photos]
-
