Is Japan safe? The official figures

Japan recorded 737,679 criminal offences in 2024, or 5.9 per 1,000 people (National Police Agency). That is about a quarter of the peak of about 2.85 million in 2002, but the number has risen for three years in a row since the post-war low in 2021.

What kind of crime

501,507	Theft	68% of all offences in 2024
255,247	Street crime	Up 4.6% on 2023
57,324	Fraud	Up 24.6% on 2023

Is Japan safe for American tourists, and for tourists in general?

Yes, for the same reason it is described as one of the safer countries to travel in generally: the overall offence rate, 5.9 per 1,000 people, is low next to most large economies, and the most common offence by far is theft rather than violent crime. Nothing about the nationality of a visitor changes that rate; the precautions below (watch your bag, keep valuables closed) apply the same to any tourist.

Is Japan safe for women, including solo female travellers?

Most visitors, including women travelling alone, report no trouble. Japan's low rate of violent and street crime applies regardless of gender. As anywhere, ordinary care at night in unfamiliar entertainment districts (Kabukicho included) and awareness of groping on crowded trains, which stations address with women-only cars at busy hours, are the specific things solo female travellers ask about most.

What this means for a visit

Most crime is theft. Keep your bag closed and in front of you in crowds and on night-time streets, and do not leave belongings on a seat to hold it.

Police are close in the busy areas: our map shows 13 police boxes and stations within 1 km of Shinjuku Station, for example. Convenience stores in the Safety Station programme will take you in and call the police.

If something happens

Call 110 for the police, 119 for an ambulance or fire. For help in English, Chinese or Korean at any hour, call the Japan Visitor Hotline, 050-3816-2787.

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