Security — Japan · Synthesis
One of the safest countries in the world: a homicide rate among the lowest on the planet and overall very low crime, with a growing threat of scams targeting the elderly.
Citoyen synthesis for the Security category in Japan. Grounded in sector data (National Police Agency — NPA, UNODC). All values are the latest available realised observation — never a forecast. Assessments are distinguished from sourced facts. Data last updated: June 2026.
1. Current situation — where security stands
One of the lowest homicide rates in the world. The homicide rate is approximately 0.2 to 0.3 per 100,000 inhabitants (NPA / UNODC), among the lowest on the planet. Japan is regularly cited as one of the safest countries in the world.
Overall very low crime. Crime (violence, theft, burglary) is low and has generally declined over the decades. Strict gun control (near-absence of firearms in circulation) is a major factor in the low level of lethal violence.
Fraud, the main concern. Crime has shifted towards scams, particularly those targeting the elderly ("ore ore sagi", telephone fraud), reflecting an ageing society and wealth concentrated among seniors. Cybercrime is also on the rise.
Organised crime in decline. Traditional criminal organisations ("yakuza") are in sharp decline due to enforcement and legislation, even as diffuse forms of criminality emerge.
High sense of security. The population's sense of security is high, consistent with low crime levels — a contrast with several countries where perception is more negative than the facts.
“With one of the lowest homicide rates in the world, Japan is one of the safest countries on the planet.”
2. Outlook — where security is heading
Combating fraud targeting seniors. The main priority is tackling scams aimed at the elderly, at the intersection of security, digital technology and ageing (see the Health category).
Cybercrime. As everywhere, adapting to the rise of cybercrime is a challenge in a highly connected society.
Maintaining a high level of security. Preserving a level of security among the best in the world, in an ageing society with an ageing police force, is a challenge of resources and organisation.
Natural disasters. Beyond crime, security in Japan strongly encompasses natural disaster prevention (earthquakes, tsunamis), a major dimension of public safety.
Open questions. Three issues will shape the period ahead: (1) stemming fraud targeting seniors; (2) adapting the fight against cybercrime; (3) maintaining a world-class level of security.
“The main criminal concern today is fraud targeting the elderly, a reflection of an ageing society.”
3. International comparison — Japan among its peers
Placed in context, Japan is one of the safest countries in the world, far below the violence levels of the United States and even below European countries.
Three lessons. (1) Homicides: the lowest in the panel. At ≈ 0.2–0.3 / 100,000, Japan's rate is below France (≈ 1.2), Germany (≈ 0.9) and far below the United States (≈ 6).
(2) Gun control. The near-absence of firearms in circulation is a determining factor in low lethal violence — a striking contrast with the United States.
(3) An ageing crime profile. Japan's distinctive feature is the shift in crime towards fraud targeting the elderly, reflecting an ultra-ageing society.
International comparison — homicides
| Country | Homicides / 100,000 | Firearms | Sense of security |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Korea | ≈ 0.5–0.6 | very strictly controlled | high |
| Germany | ≈ 0.8–1.0 | controlled | moderate |
| France | ≈ 1.2 | controlled | moderate |
| United States | ≈ 6.0 | very widespread | mixed |
| Japan | ≈ 0.2–0.3 | near-absent | high |
Sources: UNODC, NPA. Only homicides are reasonably comparable across countries; other columns are qualitative. "≈" indicates rounding.
Data used (data journalism foundation)
| Data | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Homicide rate | ≈ 0.2–0.3 / 100,000 | NPA / UNODC (Citoyen chart) |
| Overall crime | very low, declining | NPA (Citoyen chart) |
| Fraud targeting the elderly | major concern | NPA |
| Firearms | near-absent (strict control) | NPA |
| Sense of security | high | NPA / surveys |
Sources (national analyses and references)
National Police Agency (NPA — crime, fraud) · Ministry of Justice · UNODC (intentional homicides). Japanese security also encompasses a major natural disaster prevention dimension (outside the scope of this note, which focuses on crime).
Methodological note — this synthesis distinguishes sourced facts from assessments, remains neutral, dates each data point, and does not extrapolate beyond the sources. International comparisons are limited to homicides. All values are the latest available realised observation (no forecast). Note generated by AI, human review required. Same safeguards as the rest of the observatory.