View Survival:Safety
In general, Western women feel very safe in Japan, most likely safer than in their home countries. This feeling of security is attributed to a number of factors, the most prevalent that Japanese men are physically smaller than Western men and tend to be less aggressive in their manner. If any comments are made, most women find unwanted attention from Japanese men irritating rather than threatening and very easy to brush off. However, it is sensible to maintain your natural awareness of potentially dangerous situations. Bear in mind that you will attract a certain amount of attention simply because you look different.
Police
Police boxes are located all over Japan and are staffed 24 hours a day. In cities, you are rarely further than a five-minute run to a police box. Get to know the locations of the police boxes in your area. The officers are there to protect the safety of all citizens and any crime can be reported at a police box, but most of their work seems to involve providing directions. The police can be anywhere from extremely supportive and helpful to almost indifferent to an incident you report and there doesn’t yet appear to be any consistency in their attitudes towards violence against women. If you are unsatisfied with your treatment, contact the Japan Help Line or the Tokyo Bar Association.
Theft
Your personal and household belongings are generally safe in Japan, but if anything is stolen, then report it to the nearest police box. Purses commonly turn up in Japan, usually with everything intact, including your cash. There is an unspoken rule that you give ten percent of the cash in your purse to the person who handed it in.
The trains
There is no direct English translation for a chikan, but a man who gropes women on a train pretty much explains it. On a busy train, you may experience an unwanted hand on your boobs or bum. It may be difficult to tell if it is a chikan or it if is simply someone’s briefcase. A quick movement or glare at everyone around you will usually put a stop to it.
Domestic violence
If you are a victim of domestic violence while in Japan, do not expect the police to take your requests for help or attempts to press charges seriously. Japan has only recently passed a law to recognise domestic violence. The police consider domestic violence to be a private matter. Questions about your role in provoking his violence will be asked. If you do report domestic violence to the police, say that a ‘man’ hit you, rather than a boyfriend or husband.
In spite of their traditionally unsupportive behaviour, the police are becoming increasingly concerned about their public image regarding domestic violence, and threats to go to the press may force them to give you more attention.
Warning
The ‘date rape’ drug is NOT illegal in Japan: watch your drinks.