Is Japan Really Safe? – And What That Means for You

Japan consistently ranks among the safest countries in the world, making it an appealing destination for travelers, expatriates, and long-term residents.

As I prepare for a trip to Los Angeles, a local friend warned me that safety has worsened in some areas — places like South L.A., Compton, and Skid Row are said to be especially risky. The need for this kind of vigilance reminded me just how safe Japan feels in comparison.

In this post, we’ll explore what contributes to Japan’s strong sense of safety, how it stacks up against other countries, and what this means for daily life.

In this blog:

1.        Global Safety Rankings: Where Japan Stands

2.        Crime Statistics: Japan in Global Context

3.        Why Japan Feels Safe: Systemic and Cultural Factors

4.        Everyday Safety in Japan: What It Means for You

5.        Public Perception vs. Reality: Why GPI Rankings Don’t Tell the Full Story

6.        Wrap up

 1.     Global Safety Rankings: Where Japan Stands

2024 Global Peace Index (GPI)
According to the 2024 GPI by the Institute for Economics & Peace, Japan ranks 17th out of 163 countries. The GPI evaluates nations based on violence, incarceration rates, internal and external conflicts, and access to weapons. (Data Source: 2024 GPI)

• Japan: 17th

• U.S.: 132nd

2025 Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection (BHTP) Annual Report
Japan ranked 9th globally and the #1 safest country in Asia, based on surveys of American travelers who visited in the past five years. These results were combined with third-party data (GPI, Numbeo, GeoSure Global) to create a comprehensive safety score. (Data Source: BHTP Annual Report)

NOTE: Japan ranks 12th in the world for lowest homicide rates — despite being one of the most densely populated countries. This contradicts the assumption that low population density equals higher safety.

2.     Crime Statistics: Japan in Global Context

While reported crimes in Japan increased 17% in 2023 (703,351 cases), this largely reflects the return to pre-COVID patterns and broader legal definitions — such as expanded classifications for sexual offenses. (Data Source: Japan Times, Dec 2024)

Intentional Homicide Rates (per 100,000 people)

• Japan: 0.23

• U.S.: 6

  (Data Source: World Bank – Y2021)

Japan's murder rate is over 26 times lower than the U.S., and significantly lower than other developed nations.

Homelessness at Historic Lows

As of January 2025, Japan reported just 2,591 homeless people nationwide — the lowest since 2003 and an 8.1% drop from the previous year. (Data Source: Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare 2025)

For comparison: U.S.: 771,480 (Data Source: HUD, 2024)

Decline in Organized Crime

Japan’s “anti-social forces” have shrunk dramatically — from 184,000 members in the 1960s to just 22,400 in 2022. This reflects effective regulation and enforcement, further enhancing public safety. (Asashi.com)

3.      Why Japan Feels Safe: Systemic and Cultural Factors

So, what contributes to this deep-rooted sense of security? Japan's safety is not due to one factor, but a combination of social cohesion, strong public infrastructure, tight regulations, and cultural values.

a.        Low Economic Disparity (Relative)

•  Japan: With a Gini coefficient of 32.1 (Y2020), Japan exhibits moderate income inequality. While this is higher than Iceland (GPI No.1), it remains significantly lower than the United States.

• Iceland: At 26.6 (Y2018), Iceland has one of the lowest Gini coefficients globally, indicating a high level of income equality.

• United States: The U.S. has a Gini coefficient of 41.8 (Y2023), reflecting a higher degree of income inequality compared to the other countries listed.

Data Source: Gini coefficient—a standard measure where 0 represents perfect equality and 100 indicates maximum inequality.

b.       Strong Social Safety Net

Japan spends over 24.7% of its GDP on social programs, surpassing the commonly cited benchmark of 20% that indicates a well-developed welfare system. This helps reduce poverty-related stress and contributes to social stability.

However, a significant portion of Japan’s social spending goes toward pensions and healthcare for its aging population, posing serious sustainability challenges for the future.

In comparison, the U.S. spends around 19% of its GDP on social programs — relatively lower. The American system relies more heavily on private insurance and welfare services, which results in a higher financial burden on individuals.

Data Source: OECD Social Expenditure Database (Y2022)

c.        Education and Norm Awareness

When we look at the Education Index of Japan, the U.S., and the top five countries in the Global Peace Index, we see that all of them score above 0.9 — indicating high levels of educational attainment.

This reflects how respect for public spaces and consideration for others are values taught from an early age and reinforced throughout life in these societies.

Data Source: The Education Index, a component of the United Nations' Human Development Index (HDI), evaluates a country’s education level based on two indicators — expected years of schooling and mean years of schooling — scored on a scale from 0 to 1.

Note: The data is particularly interesting — it highlights a correlation between the Education Index and life expectancy. Generally, countries with higher education scores tend to have longer average lifespans.

d.       Strict Gun Control

Firearms are virtually inaccessible to civilians. Gun violence is almost nonexistent.

e.        Community Policing

The Koban system (neighborhood police boxes) allows close contact between residents and law enforcement, enabling quick responses and trust-building.

When you move in a new place, a police visit you and introduce themselves to us and make sure your emergency contact. At first, I didn’t open my door, as I didn’t know it. However, the police force try to know residents they cover !

 Culture Matters: Trust, Order, and Community

f. Social Order and Conformity
Japan’s harmony-oriented culture places a strong emphasis on following rules and respecting social norms. This contributes to a sense of calm, order, and predictability in public life, helping to reduce conflict and promote safety.

g. Group Harmony
Japanese society places great value on group harmony — a mindset that may be rooted in its agricultural heritage, where cooperation was essential for survival. People are generally taught from an early age to prioritize the group over the individual.

h. A Homogeneous Society
Japan’s relatively homogeneous population — in terms of language, ethnicity, and cultural norms. Shared expectations and values reduce friction in daily interactions and support a collective commitment to public safety and mutual trust.

4.     Everyday Safety in Japan: What It Means for You

Despite global uncertainties, daily life in Japan continues to feel remarkably safe for residents and visitors alike. Whether it's children walking to school alone or people napping on trains without worry, these small but powerful examples show how Japan’s systems and culture support a deep sense of everyday security.

(Include real stories here)

a. Children commuting alone
In Japan, it's normal to see young children commuting to and from school by themselves. This cultural norm, which would be unthinkable in many countries, reflects the deep-rooted sense of safety and community trust.

b. The 5 p.m. song
Every day at 5 p.m., a gentle tune plays from loudspeakers in neighborhoods across Japan — a signal for children that it’s time to head home. It’s not an official rule, just a traditional reminder. The melody is often slow and nostalgic, which makes my husband feel oddly sad every day when he hears it. (The classic song is Yuyake Koyake, which translates to “The Sunset Glow.”)

c. Safety for students
International students can focus on their studies without worrying about violence or gun threats — concerns that are unfortunately real in some other countries.

d. No drug tests for hiring
In Japan, it’s rare for employers to conduct drug testing during the hiring process. When I worked in the U.S., this was standard. This small difference reflects the overall low drug use and social expectations in Japan.

e. Peace of mind for daily life

• Residents — including retirees — enjoy peace of mind in everyday life. If an elderly person goes missing, the community may hear a broadcast through loudspeakers with their description. Once found, another announcement lets everyone know they’re safe.

• People sleep on late-night trains with their bags on their laps — something that would feel risky elsewhere. (Just don’t miss your stop!)

f. Lost and found culture
Japan is famous for its high rate of lost item recovery, and it's one of the small but powerful reasons people feel safe here.

My Story:
A few years ago, I left a small case in the overhead compartment on a flight arriving at Narita Airport. My husband said, “It’s probably gone by now — just forget it.” But I didn’t even worry. Sure enough, I picked it up at the airport’s lost and found. He was amazed, but honestly, this kind of thing is normal in Japan.

His Story:
One of my American friends was on a bullet train to Tokyo. Across the aisle sat a Japanese businessman who got up to take a phone call on the deck. Next to him was a Japanese woman. What shocked my friend was that the man left his bag on the seat — with his wallet visibly sticking out — without hesitation. It was a small but powerful symbol of trust in everyday life.

  5. Public Perception vs. Reality: Why GPI Rankings Don’t Tell the Full Story

According to the 2024 Global Peace Index (GPI), Japan ranks 17th globally — a strong indicator of national safety and stability.
However, the same report also noted Japan’s st deterioration since the index began, driven not by rising crime or social unrest, but by changes in the Militarisation domain. This reflects Japan’s increasingly complex geopolitical environment.

At the same time, public perception doesn’t always match the data.
A 2024 survey by the National Police Agency found that 76.6% of respondents felt public safety had worsened over the past decade. The main concerns were online fraud, phishing scams, and cybercrime.

Yet only 14.2% had personally experienced or witnessed a crime — meaning many perceptions were shaped more by media coverage and online news than by direct experience.

And It’s Not Perfect:

• Serious street crime is rare, but it does happen.

• Fraud and digital threats are growing areas of concern.

• Natural disasters pose a different kind of risk. Japan experiences frequent earthquakes and typhoons. While its early warning systems, disaster drills, and building codes make it one of the most disaster-prepared nations in the world, this risk is real and requires awareness.

6.       Wrap up

I believe that all residents of Japan — not only Japanese citizens but also foreigners living here — have worked together to build and preserve the safety and security we enjoy today. I would also like to express my sincere gratitude to the police officers who support our daily safety.

To those coming to Japan, we hope you will respect and help maintain this peaceful and secure environment !