The myth about foreign crimes in japan

craftsman · Dec 21, 2006, 16:40

A new book by Hiroshi Kubo, the former head of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government's Emergency Public Safety Task Force, claims that crimes by foreigners and young people are exaggerated out of all proportion for political purposes.

The problem with the crime figures is that,

the growing crime rate in Tokyo is based on reported crimes, not actual crime cases. This means the count includes cases where people who have been scared into believing their safety is under such a threat they contact the police for any trifling matter only to be sent away with no action taken.

I do actually recall a cleaner in Osaka who believed I had come to kill her (purely because I was foreign) despite the fact I was a company guest, returning to my room and she was still cleaning in my room. Now that would have been a statistic.

As far as crimes by foreigners is concerned:

In 2002, there were 102 non-Japanese arrested in Tokyo for violent crimes including murder, armed robbery, arson and rape. The following year, that number jumped to 156, fell back to 117 in 2004 and was just 84 in 2005.

So it has been falling in recent years. And, comparatively, the number of violent crimes Japanese are committing in Tokyo number about 1,000 cases a year.

He also says that youth crime when looking back over the past 40 years has actually declined, not increased as some suggest.

He says

authorities are merely fear mongering, taking statistics that work in their favor and molding them to suit their purposes.

Here's the article.

Mike Cash · Dec 21, 2006, 19:14

Sounds like an interesting book. Too bad they didn't see fit to include the title. I guess they assume none of us gaijins would/could read it.

The soft bigotry of low expectations.....

**Pachipro** · Dec 21, 2006, 20:03

Originally Posted by craftsman

A new book by Hiroshi Kubo, the former head of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government's Emergency Public Safety Task Force, claims that crimes by foreigners and young people are exaggerated out of all proportion for political purposes.

Interesting. I think many foreigners knew that to be the case, but it's refreshing, however, to hear some public official actually say it though.

I wonder what the recent crime rate is for foreigner on foreigner, Japanese on foreigner, and foreigner on Japanese is. I guess I could look it up. Thanks.

taeter_tot · Jan 2, 2007, 12:08

That's typical of any nation in scapegoating foreign nationals or minority population for domestic crimes.

Dec 21, 2006, 16:40	#1
craftsman ************ Join Date: Sep 24, 2006 Location: Yaku island, East China Sea Posts: 262	The myth about foreign crimes in japan A new book by Hiroshi Kubo, the former head of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government's Emergency Public Safety Task Force, claims that crimes by foreigners and young people are exaggerated out of all proportion for political purposes. The problem with the crime figures is that, the growing crime rate in Tokyo is based on reported crimes, not actual crime cases. This means the count includes cases where people who have been scared into believing their safety is under such a threat they contact the police for any trifling matter only to be sent away with no action taken. I do actually recall a cleaner in Osaka who believed I had come to kill her (purely because I was foreign) despite the fact I was a company guest, returning to my room and she was still cleaning in my room. Now that would have been a statistic. As far as crimes by foreigners is concerned: In 2002, there were 102 non-Japanese arrested in Tokyo for violent crimes including murder, armed robbery, arson and rape. The following year, that number jumped to 156, fell back to 117 in 2004 and was just 84 in 2005. So it has been falling in recent years. And, comparatively, the number of violent crimes Japanese are committing in Tokyo number about 1,000 cases a year. He also says that youth crime when looking back over the past 40 years has actually declined, not increased as some suggest. He says authorities are merely fear mongering, taking statistics that work in their favor and molding them to suit their purposes. Here's the article.

Dec 21, 2006, 19:14	#2
Mike Cash Delusions of Adequacy Join Date: Mar 15, 2002 Location: Japan Posts: 5,417	Sounds like an interesting book. Too bad they didn't see fit to include the title. I guess they assume none of us gaijins would/could read it. The soft bigotry of low expectations..... __________________ Kiva: Loans That Change Lives

Dec 21, 2006, 20:03	#3
Pachipro JREF Resident Alien Join Date: Jan 19, 2005 Location: Goodlettsville, Tennessee Age: 54 Posts: 1,630 Blog Entries: 3	Originally Posted by craftsman A new book by Hiroshi Kubo, the former head of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government's Emergency Public Safety Task Force, claims that crimes by foreigners and young people are exaggerated out of all proportion for political purposes. Interesting. I think many foreigners knew that to be the case, but it's refreshing, however, to hear some public official actually say it though. I wonder what the recent crime rate is for foreigner on foreigner, Japanese on foreigner, and foreigner on Japanese is. I guess I could look it up. Thanks. __________________ Do What You Love And You'll Never Work Another Day In Your Life! KIVA: Give a Hand Up Instead of a Handout

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Jan 2, 2007, 12:08	#4
taeter_tot Banned Join Date: Dec 15, 2006 Location: Australia & USA & N.Z. ( presently ) Posts: 58	That's typical of any nation in scapegoating foreign nationals or minority population for domestic crimes.