Get Arrested

[MMM]

Originally Posted by Sangetsu

Owning guns in Japan is permitted. There are about 200,000 people (regular citizens, not police or military) in the country licensed to own firearms. And gun violence does exist here. The mayor of Nagasaki was shot and killed by a gangster in a dispute over the gangster's damaged car and the city's refusal to pay for the damage. In another case, a woman at a health club was shot and killed by a stalker.

The most recent murder in the news was committed by another stalker type who killed his victim with a knife and then dismembered her body. Last month a police chase which ended near my home at Kujikuri Beach involved a man who was fleeing after being seen putting the dead body of a woman in his car. The car crashed into a pole down the street from where I live, and then burst into flames. The man was later caught, and the woman's burned body was recovered from the car.

Violent crimes do occur here.

I never said violent crimes do not occur in Japan. They just occur at a much smaller rate than in the US. Same with gun crimes. Hunters are allowed to have licensed shotguns for hunting and skeet shooting, but almost none of the handful of gun deaths in Japan occur from legally possessed guns. Most are organized crime related and are usually premeditated. In the US nearly 30,000 people a year are killed by firearms (including accidents and suicide). Japan has half the population of the US, but surely less than 1% of the amount of gun deaths.

So it isn't as much of a concern in Japan.

[odonata]

Sorry for my use of the word hobby.
It was supposed to indicate the lowest form of militarisation by the police force used against public.

I think the Japanese police do a great job and was trying to get across from someone who has delt with many international police forces that I was surprised at how much respect and freedom was gifted to a potential unknown.

After working in various personal security roles I think I am more aware of the potential for violence and always take precautions. This difference in my perception is what caused amusment for me.

My first reaction when I realised I was getting a free ride to the police station was to offer my hands to be cuffed. The officer just looked them and motioned me to the car, he did not even restrain me or touch me.

I understand from a Japanese friend that it is quite different when you go to a holding cell and that a good thrashing can be expected.

[Henbaka]

Since you guys seem to know more than I do about this - I thought I'd stick this question in here;

Does japanese police interfere with domestic disputes, or try to stay out of them as much as possible? I remembered hearing something like this when I was there. For instance: a fight between a husband and a wife - to what extent will the police interfere, and when?