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This article, "No need to know the law, but you must obey it," is an excellent introduction to the topic. http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/fl20100629zg.h

by drinian 16y ago

This article, "No need to know the law, but you must obey it," is an excellent introduction to the topic. http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/fl20100629zg.html http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/fl20100629zg.html

cdavid 16y ago
The law (and law enforcement) system is very hard to understand for a foreigner used to western systems - maybe one of the most weird thing. One of thee most surprising thing is how little respect law enforcement people get, and their total lack of authority whatsoever. The first time I was arrested with my gf (who is Japanese), I was truly shocked to see here talking back to the policeman, especially since she was clearly in the wrong (not stopping at a stop sign by car). I told here later that it was the most sure way to spend some time unpleasant time at least for the night in France (or worse in the US), and plead her to never ever do that. I also saw once a guy in plain day, in the center of Osaka, circumventing a policeman who asked him to stop, and running away by car. I think this is linked to the most defining aspect of Japanese society: the perpetual social obligations to each other, and the lack of individuality. My interpretation is that law in Japan is mostly "unused", because people restrain themselves so much in general for every aspect of everyday life. As such people whose job is to force this on people besides social conventions are not well regarded. I would love to get a better understanding of this aspect of Japanese society. Concerning low rate of crimes, I think this is partly an illusion. True, issues related to physical aggression are much less likely than in any other country I know, and the country is very safe. But there is also a covering of things which are considered as crimes in western countries. Things such as rape, sexual harassment are often covered up, I believe - certainly, I have seen more inappropriate behavior in Japan in 6 years than all my life otherwise. Corruption is also prevalent, the comparison of number of white collar crimes with other countries would be interesting, for example. Finally, many activities related to child pornography is disturbingly tolerated in Japan.

by drinian 16y ago

cdavid 16y ago

The law (and law enforcement) system is very hard to understand for a foreigner used to western systems - maybe one of the most weird thing. One of thee most surprising thing is how little respect law enforcement people get, and their total lack of authority whatsoever. The first time I was arrested with my gf (who is Japanese), I was truly shocked to see here talking back to the policeman, especially since she was clearly in the wrong (not stopping at a stop sign by car). I told here later that it was the most sure way to spend some time unpleasant time at least for the night in France (or worse in the US), and plead her to never ever do that. I also saw once a guy in plain day, in the center of Osaka, circumventing a policeman who asked him to stop, and running away by car. I think this is linked to the most defining aspect of Japanese society: the perpetual social obligations to each other, and the lack of individuality. My interpretation is that law in Japan is mostly "unused", because people restrain themselves so much in general for every aspect of everyday life. As such people whose job is to force this on people besides social conventions are not well regarded. I would love to get a better understanding of this aspect of Japanese society. Concerning low rate of crimes, I think this is partly an illusion. True, issues related to physical aggression are much less likely than in any other country I know, and the country is very safe. But there is also a covering of things which are considered as crimes in western countries. Things such as rape, sexual harassment are often covered up, I believe - certainly, I have seen more inappropriate behavior in Japan in 6 years than all my life otherwise. Corruption is also prevalent, the comparison of number of white collar crimes with other countries would be interesting, for example. Finally, many activities related to child pornography is disturbingly tolerated in Japan.