4 ms·

> they have a very low crime rate. That isn't entirely accurate. Their published statistics on crime are very low.

aikinai 9y ago
The only thing that's going to be under-reported is sexual harassment/assault by known acquaintances (to avoid making a scene). That's not good, but it's very different from whatever it is you're trying to imply. It's not like there's some hidden epidemic of theft and violent crime hidden in the published statistics.
- mc32 9y ago
  There is one more thing to add. That's murder --many get classified as "accidental death" or something similar. This helps in the conviction rates. But this is still very, very low, despite the misclassification. And for the most part involves gangs, which are on the retreat (dying out and getting pushed out as it becomes less lucrative).
  - vinay427 9y ago
    Are these mostly premeditated murders that don't normally affect tourists or other passersby?
    - mc32 9y ago
      Quite. Gangs don't have anything to gain by offing a tourist. It's an expensive proposition.
  - emodendroket 9y ago
    I mean, even if gangs are "on the retreat" they're starting from a very strong, entrenched position.
    - mc32 9y ago
      From a high of ~160k members after wwii to between 20 and 40,000 today[1], they are on the wane since the gov started a crackdown back in 2011. They are in a very weak position. [1]http://www.newsweek.com/yakuza-gang-members-japan-arrests-570110 http://www.newsweek.com/yakuza-gang-members-japan-arrests-57...
      - emodendroket 9y ago
        I'm honestly surprised to learn of such a precipitous decline. But still, stories like this one keep popping up, and many legitimate businesses have organized crime ties. https://news.vice.com/article/this-may-be-the-most-dangerous-and-most-costly-photo-in-japan https://news.vice.com/article/this-may-be-the-most-dangerous... e: Also, for reference, the American mafia supposedly has about 3k members. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Mafia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Mafia
rtpg 9y ago
Do you have evidence that their crime rate is qualitatively different in a significant manner from the "official rates"? There's always stories but personally I've found that there's a fetish for "actually Japan is secretly falling apart" that never really aligns with reality, or is usually more indicative of the person's lack of experience with other countries.
nihonde 9y ago
It is accurate in my experience. I’ve lived in Japan for years and the only crime that is even remotely relevant to my daily experience is fraudsters taking advantage of seniors in my family. No petty theft. No violence. No threats. No assault. None. Having said that, I don’t gamble or visit host clubs and avoid making enemies in general. I often see your response about manipulation of statistics, but it is simply indisputable that crime is negligible in Japan compared to Anywhere, USA.

The only thing that's going to be under-reported is sexual harassment/assault by known acquaintances (to avoid making a scene). That's not good, but it's very different from whatever it is you're trying to imply. It's not like there's some hidden epidemic of theft and violent crime hidden in the published statistics.

mc32 9y ago
There is one more thing to add. That's murder --many get classified as "accidental death" or something similar. This helps in the conviction rates. But this is still very, very low, despite the misclassification. And for the most part involves gangs, which are on the retreat (dying out and getting pushed out as it becomes less lucrative).
- vinay427 9y ago
  Are these mostly premeditated murders that don't normally affect tourists or other passersby?
  - mc32 9y ago
    Quite. Gangs don't have anything to gain by offing a tourist. It's an expensive proposition.
- emodendroket 9y ago
  I mean, even if gangs are "on the retreat" they're starting from a very strong, entrenched position.
  - mc32 9y ago
    From a high of ~160k members after wwii to between 20 and 40,000 today[1], they are on the wane since the gov started a crackdown back in 2011. They are in a very weak position. [1]http://www.newsweek.com/yakuza-gang-members-japan-arrests-570110 http://www.newsweek.com/yakuza-gang-members-japan-arrests-57...
    - emodendroket 9y ago
      I'm honestly surprised to learn of such a precipitous decline. But still, stories like this one keep popping up, and many legitimate businesses have organized crime ties. https://news.vice.com/article/this-may-be-the-most-dangerous-and-most-costly-photo-in-japan https://news.vice.com/article/this-may-be-the-most-dangerous... e: Also, for reference, the American mafia supposedly has about 3k members. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Mafia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Mafia

rtpg 9y ago

Do you have evidence that their crime rate is qualitatively different in a significant manner from the "official rates"? There's always stories but personally I've found that there's a fetish for "actually Japan is secretly falling apart" that never really aligns with reality, or is usually more indicative of the person's lack of experience with other countries.

nihonde 9y ago

It is accurate in my experience. I’ve lived in Japan for years and the only crime that is even remotely relevant to my daily experience is fraudsters taking advantage of seniors in my family. No petty theft. No violence. No threats. No assault. None. Having said that, I don’t gamble or visit host clubs and avoid making enemies in general. I often see your response about manipulation of statistics, but it is simply indisputable that crime is negligible in Japan compared to Anywhere, USA.