How safe is Japan?

From HyogoAJET

That depends on how you define safe. On the one hand, the crime rate is very low, and the conviction rate for serious crimes is very high. Critics will point out that a large number of crimes go unreported, and most convictions are based on confessions (Japanese police can hold a suspect for up to 25 days before filing a formal indictment. See Arrested in Japan). However, I have met many foreigners in Japan who say they feel safer here than they do back home.

While I am also one of those foreigners, it is still important to take precautions. One crime that occurs enough is theft. Be it umbrellas or bicicyles, cash or computers, there are plenty of people who help themselves to what they can. So tell all of your family back home how safe it is here, but lock your house, lock your bike, and don't leave your wallet lying around. You know, common sense.

One important thing to mention is your school probably does not have insurance against theft. I spent one year as an ALT, and I heard of about four different incidents over the year (only one was a break-in, the rest were probably students who saw something they liked). In one case, club money was stolen from a teacher's drawer, and the teacher was told HE had to reimburse the club as it had been his responsibility.

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