NCJ Number
197905
Date Published
June 2000
Length
8 pages
Annotation
This paper reports on the prevalence and characteristics of crimes by foreign visitors in Japan for 1999, along with characteristics of offenders and the countermeasures that have been adopted by police.
Abstract
In 1999, 34,398 criminal offenses by foreign visitors were cleared by police, the largest number of such crimes to date and six times larger than in 1989. This trend is one of the most serious problems facing Japanese police. More than 75 percent of the crimes by foreign visitors were committed by Asians. Many of the crimes committed by foreign visitors have involved criminal organizations, including the Hong Kong Triad and the Chinese Snake Heads. Crimes committed by such foreign criminal organizations have included robberies, thefts, the use of forged credit cards, drug smuggling, human smuggling, murder, and kidnapping. Japanese police are cracking down on criminal organizations and groups of foreigners who stay in the country illegally. Further, the police exchange information on illegal entries and countermeasures with relevant government agencies. Cooperation with foreign law enforcement agencies is emphasized, notably with China. Each prefectural police headquarters is recruiting employees who are proficient in foreign languages. Police also provide foreign visitors with information relevant to reducing the risk of becoming a crime victim. 2 figures and 1 table