In terms of personal safety, when you are out and about, whether you are walking along the street, waiting on train platforms or in shopping centers, and so on, how attentive are you to what people around you are doing?

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  • 2

    kibousha

    I'm attentive enough to notice that people around me are not attentive and are disconnected to their surroundings, but, ironically, are very attentive to that little screen that is supposed to bridge physical distances and to connect people together.

  • 2

    zichi

    I'm always aware of what's happening around me, maybe it comes from being a painter?

  • 0

    Jonathan Hunt

    I'll be more attentive if somebody is talking to themselves or standing really, really close to me on an empty train, but otherwise personal safety doesn't really cross my mind alot. I'm always aware of those around me in terms of blocking walkways or stepping backwards into people though. I don't know why that's so hard for 95% of the population to do.

  • 1

    Brainiac

    I never listen to music or play with my cell phone when I'm out and about. I do pay more attention when I see someone acting "oddly" or mumbling to themselves. You can never tell when someone will flip over the littlest thing. Even bumping into someone can send them into a rage.

  • 2

    tkoind2

    I grew up in the US so I grew up with this “danger sense” that is still pretty good, though not nearly as much as when I was living in the States.

    I do notice when there is something unusual going on around me. But truthfully I need to be more cautious about standing near the edge of the train platform. And in a big crowd, I think it would be hard to pick up on someone who is about to randomly attack.

    In the case of random attack, you just need to be able to stay calm, on the defensive and not panic. Having been around some pretty crazy things in the US I feel pretty confident about being able to do these things.

  • 0

    NetNinja

    There are a lot of nutters in this country. Ticking time bombs if you ask me. I watch them ALL. I never use the train to avoid them at all costs.

  • 1

    realteacher

    I grew up in the US so I grew up with this “danger sense” that is still pretty good, though not nearly as much as when I was living in the States.

    Agreed. Furthermore, I don't have a cell phone so I actually know what's going on around me.

    The most fun is not moving out of the way of some idiot playing with their phone. I just let them walk into me. At 192cm and 120kg, they don't make much of an impression on me. ;-p

  • -2

    OMGhontoni

    Very. I am often not just watching out for myself, but the little ones with me as well. But the problem with being so aware of everyone around you is that you are also aware of the whispers, nudges, points in your direction, stares etc etc - that can get really irritating after a few years! Yes, I look different to you. Yes, my children are part-Japanese. Yes, we are speaking English. Just get over it. This is the capital city of the worlds 2nd/3rd(?) largest economy for Gods sake, not the frigging hills of West Virginia. Grow up!

  • 0

    GW

    ALWAYS on the watch, especially places like train platforms, with all the fools running around(sometimes I dream about clotheslining one of these dolts!), then the oddballs you have to keep an eye on & then the rest. You need to always be aware in around stations

  • 2

    Wakarimasen

    attentive but not overly so. Here is safer than most places i have lived so not always on my guard.

  • -2

    Greapper1

    I tend to be oblivious to my surroundings. I'm a pretty big guy though... little Japanese people don't scare me.

  • 2

    Hategobo

    I am more aware of what is happening around me because I seem to be surrounded by people totally oblivious to their surroundings because they have their eyes glued to their Iphone. I travel everywhere on foot and by train, and on numerous occasions my heart has leapt into my mouth as I see young children running along the edge of the platform trailing their "guardian" who has his or her eyes transfixed by the object in their hands. I also dont sleep on trains and in coffee shops, I like to see what is happening around me for my own entertainment. If I had been sleeping or surfing the net on my Iphone I would have missed the two old ladies who came into the coffee shop each wheeling a trolly from the supermarket opposite. They managed to over turn a table full of cups whilst manoeuvring, and having caused mayhem sat down , had a smoke, then got up and trundled out. On the way out they upset the table again and crushed a waitress into a doorway. Absolute classic entertainment missed by those snoring at the next table.

  • 0

    tokyokawasaki

    You have no choice other than to be alert in Tokyo. With everyone having their eyes clued to their phone displays, they are typically not paying any attention. So you have to be constantly aware of these selfish mongs....

  • 0

    Dennis Bauer

    I am aware, lots of people talking to themselves these days, but maybe that is because of those bluetooth ear pieces.

  • 0

    madammika

    Always especially as I have a little one (and another on the way). Am wary on train platfroms - easy to get "bumped" off! Most people dont pay much attention - too busy on their cellphones!!!

  • -1

    Okinawamike

    Unless there an app for seeing around you for cell phones..

  • 0

    NeverSubmit

    I don't mind my fellow citizens.

    I don't like police, security and cameras all over the place.

  • -1

    Liberty Joe Lowe

    @Netninja You say there are many nutters in this country There even are more in others countries I think you are a little paranoid not taking the train, in Japan, maybe you had a bad experience somewhere? I feel safer in Japan than all other places I have lived

  • 0

    Liberty Joe Lowe

    The question asked by JT is not really specific enough which can open hours of discussions

    Due to training in the past and my family background I am always aware of my surroundings, instinctively.

    The drunk man staggering in the street, people looking at their mobiles while cycling, drivers looking at the Nav system, the list of hazards like this that affect personal safety are endless, but any injury from these hazards listed would be accidental nature.

    Or does JT mean safety from attack risks? Attacks from others have different ways of identifying the risks

  • -1

    ultradork

    I don't listen to music when walking, running or cycling, as I've seen too many folks get caught unaware by a bicycle or almost get whacked by a car. When I was single I was generally blase walking around Tokyo as you are not likely to get hassled by anyone here unless in Roppongi or somewhere similar. Pickpockets are also quite rare. However, as a parent, I now take time to consider points regarding identification, communication, emergency exits and similar things before going and while I'm out with my children. You never know when you have to visit an ER (from a playground on a Sunday morning with a cut head) or someone getting separated in a shopping center, not to mention the normal hazards of city life like fires, accidents and then Japan in particular with earthquakes, etc. Living here for over 12 yrs I've responded to old people fallen in the street and quite a few bicycle and traffic accidents and I know a lot of bystanders here simply will not get involved, which is worrisome if I was a victim of some sort. I've lived in Africa, Europe in S. America besides various cities in the US and the lack of machismo and low level of random violence here (despite the random stabbings like the recent one) is certainly one great thing about Tokyo.

  • -1

    TheQuestion

    I've always suffered from a little smidge of parinoia coupled with a memory well suited for minutia. I'm constantly scanning my surroundings and keeping mental notes on window locations, bathrooms, emergency exits, hallway intersections, street numbers, and 'landmarks' like distinctive cracks, plants, waterstains, and signs. I watch people's hands and faces a lot too and I keep a special eye out for ticks or unusual expressions. When I'm sitting in a room and theres nothing happening I start counting things like ceiling panels and window panes. Doesn't matter how many people are around me, it's constant observation from when I wake up to when I go to sleep.

    But then I'm like that in most countries. Oddly enough I'm slightly more relaxed in my hometown where I'm probably the most likely to be assaulted or shot. I think it's because after all the years I've spent abroad I still occasionally have problems reading Japanese body language and I find that unnerving. Anywhere else and I can normally get somebody pegged pretty well at a glance.

    I'm not afraid of anything happening, it's not like I lose sleep, it's just something I've always done.

  • 0

    Hategobo

    @ The Question In my previous job great store was put on the ability to be able to read body language. I became good at this in my opinion. You are right about reading Japanese body language, it is more difficult for a reason I am still trying to fathom.

  • -1

    smithinjapan

    I'm usually VERY attentive, perhaps bordering on paranoia, although there are times when I'm less attentive, of course. I'd say I'm most attentive when riding my bicycle, because with the insane ignorance of traffic laws in this nation you HAVE to be or your toast. This morning alone I counted 42 infringements, from illegally parked cars and delivery trucks to other cyclists on the wrong side of the road -- to the worst of the worst, people riding bicycles while texting or playing games. If you aren't anticipating their moves, or watching the cars getting ready to pull out in front of you (with the 'sumimasen' wave) or people jaywalking without looking both ways, you're going to have trouble.

    As for other times, I'm usually pretty attentive to what's going on around me on train platforms due to reading too many incidents of nutbags pushing others in front of trains, people smoking where they shouldn't be, etc. Again, I think I'm OVERLY attentive, but I think that's better than the alternative.

  • 2

    Liberty Joe Lowe

    Sometimes you have to watch out and prepare to help with the safety.

    Last month a guy fell asleep standing up at the door. The door opened and I managed to grab him before he fell down the gap between the platform anf the train.

    Last night coming back home from work late, for the first time (around 11pm) I saw a drunk trying to touch a girl. He was about 60 years old sitting next to the girl maybe 30, trying to chat her up while he was looking at her legs. She was staring to get a bit concerned as he bent down to get a better look at her legs and knees. He then put his hand on his knees and started moving it towards hers. At this point I had to intevene, and gave him a verbal warning. What surprised me is that no one else seemed to notice or care. No one even noticed I gave this guy a warning. I finally made sure he didn't get of at the same stop as her.

    So if you can look for hazards that may also affect other people.

  • -1

    Cletus

    To be honest while Japan is a reasonably safe country and l feel quite comfortable here l still pay attention to what is going on around me. Regardless of where l am and what l am doing l have a habit of making sure l know what is happening around me. Its amusing though the number of people that get around with the heads firmly planted in their b...s though.

    Really it doesnt hurt to be aware of your surroundings and you never know when this may come in handy, on the plus side though being more attentive its amazing the sights you will see that you would have otherwise missed....

  • -3

    Vernie Jefferies

    I do a lot of traveling by walking and riding the trains on a daily basis. I am glad that I am tall, and have a natural bird's eye view of most people surrounding me. I really don't have a problem with safety traveling around Tokyo, since I see very small children riding the trains alone (that's the first thing I noticed when I first come to Japan). Only problem I see is the shoving match on peak hours while riding the train and that's expected. Even though we all read tragic stories here on JT, but its still a low crime rate compared with the millions of people living here in Japan.

  • -1

    Dennis Bauer

    @Okinawamike

    that is a money maker, 人々のレーダーアプリ(people radar app), make a game element in there and you have a winner

  • 3

    choiwaruoyaji

    I try to be attentive to safety but all these pretty women keep distracting me.

    A maniacal killer could be approaching me head on with a knife on the subway and I would looking in the opposite direction thinking "Oh, wow, look at her, she's pretty."

    Japanese women will be the death of me one way or another...

  • 0

    fds

    fairly attentive. if you get hit by a bus cause you were inattentive, you'd still be dead even if the bus ran a red light and it wasn't your fault.

  • 0

    MaximumMan

    i think foreigners who have experience back home in bad situations have a better eye for potentially dangerous situations...a lot of people in japan just live in the bubble of unawareness

  • 0

    cubic

    Stone Cold Steve Austin says it best - DTA. Don't trust anybody.

  • 1

    JapanGal

    Hybrid cars scare me, as the stop sign although visible, is ignored 100%. That is scary.

  • -1

    tmarie

    Smith, I am with you on this. i am ALWAYS watching and noticing things. I am quick to back away from strange looking folks, will move train cars when I see odd people with strange behaviour get on my car... I bike to work and am ALWAYS ready for a car to come out of no where and hit me. I am also very well aware of who is walking behind me, their speed.... Why? Too many crazies here - be it real crazies or those annoying "i did a home stay in America" crazies. I don't want to speak to any of them so avoid, avoid avoid....

  • 2

    warallthetime

    There are so many rational points being made in the comments ( a rarity for JT) that have a -1 or more rating. It's kind of like how on the Yahoo! weather forecast where you can click the weather for your area. There is always one idiot that will say it's raining or snowing on a completely clear beautiful day.

    For those that are paranoid, carry a collapsible baton you can buy them on Amazon Japan.

  • 0

    edojin

    The only place I take precautions is on train platforms. Once a friend said he was standing at the edge on a crowded platform when someone pushed him from behind as the train was coming in. He managed to regain his balance quickly, and when he turned around to see who had pushed him, he saw only a crowd of people who apparently did not realize what had happened to him ... with the exception of that lone "pusher."

    I had heard about this happening to other people, too.

    Since then I stand back when trains come rolling in ... and I recommend you do likewise, just to be on the safe side.

    Otherwise I go merrily on my way without worrying about some lunatic trying to take me out.

  • -1

    tmarie

    War, people seem to enjoy the thumbs down button for whatever reason.

    I don't think we're paranoid when clearly, random attacks is increasing - and being a women, unwanted attention happens a bit too much for my liking. An umbrella works just as well as a baton! ;)

  • -3

    basroil

    Considering I used to live in the most dangerous city in the USA, pretty damn attentive all the time.

    That said, there have been exactly two (maybe three) times where it paid off, both in Tokyo. One involved a groper going after my girlfriend, only manged to crate some space, since Japan is crazy with non-violence laws where a simple punch in the face would permanently correct bad behavior. Another was narrowly avoiding a car going twice the speed limit, that one helped more.

    Most of the dangers in Japan are the ones you see every day. No real sense in being paranoid over a knifing, not when you are a thousand times more likely to get hit by a car or probably a hundred thousand times more likely to get hit by a bike.

  • 0

    anglootaku

    Interesting question

  • 0

    yasukuni

    I'm always attentive - unless I'm engrossed in my iPhone or asleep.

    But yeah, I think it's different being a big guy than a woman. I'm always surprised at the stories gaijin girls have. It's a totally different experience for them.

  • 1

    blackpassenger

    In japan? Im always attentive, always observing people on the platform and on the train. are you kidding me? with the high rate of undiagnosed and ignored mental disorders in this country? I'm always aware.

  • 0

    Thunderbird2

    Here in Glasgow I always keep an eye out... it's my natural paranoia, but when I'm in Japan I tend to let my guard down. Although with recent nutter stories in JT I may have to revisit Mr Paranoia next time I'm in Japan.

    I have a fear of being killed on a train platform so I never stand at or near the edge anyway, and as a tourist I never use trains at rush hour anyway. It would help if all platforms had barriers like the Tsukuba Express, though. I have never felt anxiety using that train. Also people are less likely to vault a 4ft wall.

  • 0

    chuichi

    I never listen to music when I'm out and about, and do let my eyes wander... I'm also very aware of who's next to me and whether anyone's near my personal belongings. Perhaps I've seen way too many episodes of The Real Hustle!

  • 0

    cwhite

    it's practically a hobby for me to watch people and my surroundings so I guess that helps build a 6th sense. I rarely take the same route twice in two days and more likely take multiple routes home or to any destination just for fun and to check out anything interesting along the way. I also do have a habit of looking over my shoulder to a degree that it is natural and not a burden. The only difference between those who do know what is going on around you and those who just don't care or have any interest are probably the same people who don't notice that flower, rainbow, new shop, vending machine or groovy looking manhole.

  • 0

    bass4funk

    Coming from L.A., it's basically natural for me to look, scan and to be aware my surroundings. Most things and or behavior normal or odd don't usually get past me, that includes walking and typing on the phone without knocking over people, kinda like having your own avoidance collision system built in. As to why many people in this country when they bike ride/walk don't look up when they I also notice how many are just totally oblivious when they walk and easily, constantly bumping into people or walking too slow that you almost bump into them. Japan is a safe country, but it could be a lot safer if many people on the streets wouldn't be oftentimes so complacent.

  • -1

    Debbie Itabashi

    Like others I too am from America and have lived in large cities in places most folks dont visit. Raised by a State Trooper (dad was in the USMC prior to that).... Im the oldest of 6 with both parents working full time, did home stay child care, worked in a hospital (details stave lives) a Mother of 5 (& the worries that come with babies, toddlers, children, teens and keeping them in sight and care from strangers or running off)... Then all the same reasons as OMGhontoni ... I notice the stares, comments, points, glares... Conversation topics change to how much or what English do they know. To many times while walking with my husband (who is Japanese) - I have had to pull him out of the way of bicyclists.

    I can understand some lack of paying attention around you... But to not have any clue how anyone could totally not know their surroundings? This leaves me bemused.

  • 0

    iceshoecream

    I play my PSP and listen to my iPod but always keep an eye for random things that don't look too normal.

    Never use any of those wallets Japanese guys do that stick out of your pocket like an invitation to "here, grab me in the middle of the rush".

  • 0

    sillygirl

    this is not the "safety" country i thought it was, but coming from the US i always have an awareness of what is going on around me.

  • 0

    whiskeysour

    Always lend a helping hand towards people, my sense of awareness is always heightened !!!!

    I helped several people on the trains and off the trains.

    I helped wheel chair people, lost tourists, fat people that feel from the platform stairs and a woman I tried to save from groping homeless man.

    The police assigned to train stations are worthless. I DON'T KNOW WHY ? But UENO always has Japanese women who fall asleep at the train stations. They sleep on the stairs, walkways and etc.

    One time a creepy homeless man was approaching a sleeping woman. I woke her up but she wouldn't wake up. I called the police at the train station and they didn't do anything.

    CRAZY !!!!!

  • 0

    wontond

    I'm not any more attentive while in Japan compared to any other country. It's just all a part of living in a thriving fast-paced environment. Everyone should be cognizant of their surroundings.

  • -1

    japan_cynic

    Wow a lot of paranoid people. Japan isn't perfectly safe, but it's not something to get worked up about.

  • 0

    VicMOsaka

    I am always attentive of my surroundings. I always seem to be able to tell if something unusual is going on or if people are acting strange. I am aware of buildings that are potentially dangerous in the case of a fire and always know where exits are. In crowds I prefer to keep my back to walls and be aware of what is going on in the front of me. Awareness while driving has kept me from being caught by the traffic police as I have never had a traffic ticket in all my 50 years of driving. I am not paranoid but taking stock of my surroundings has kept me out of trouble many times. If you go on an airplane, do you take note of the exits as advised by the crew, on a boat, do you know where the lifejackets or life rings are ? When driving, are you aware of what the maniac behind you is likely to do ? Being aware is self preservation.

  • -1

    cwhite

    it's the same concept as to why take any additional risk if it is no extra burden. Don't step on rain grates or manholes (you might slip or it might come loose), don't walk under a whole row of balconies with flower pots on the wall, don't walk too close to the edge of anything including train platforms and cliffs, don't lean on the door of anything or on the window of a high rise, don't walk around with a tooth pick, chopsticks or tooth brush in your mouth, don't sleep next to a book case or tv set. I mean these you would think are common sense, but 99% of the public have a death wish and seem to do everything in their power to do harm to themselves.

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