What measures are you taking for your own personal security when you are out and about?
Have Your Say ( 49 )
JAPAN NEWS AND DISCUSSION
-
In an OECD survey of 36 nations on people's perceptions of their living conditions, Japan ranked 21st in terms of quality of life; Australia, Norway and the U.S. were the top 3. What do you think of that?
( 12 )
-
The Fukuoka mayor is banning public servants from drinking alcohol for a month; the Osaka mayor has declared war on tattoos on civil servants. What do you think of all this?
( 21 )
-
Why do you think Facebook's stock failed to live up to the hype in its trading debut?
( 13 )
-
Which sport, when played well, do you think is the most exciting to watch?
( 62 )
-
What's the difference between an average burger and a great one?
( 12 )
-
- Business Teaching Positions - Part-time - Kanto Region
- Interac, Tokyo
- Salary: ¥3,000 ~ ¥5,000 / Hour
-
- National Relief/Substitute Teacher - summer start
- Interac, Tokyo
- Salary: ¥275,000 ~ ¥300,000 / Month
-
- 営業パーソン
- 加治金属工業株式会社, Tochigi
- Salary: ¥240,000 ~ ¥350,000 / Month Negotiable
Order by Time Order by Popularity
49 Comments
Login to comment
0
Farmboy
For my security, I always twitch and have a wild gleam in my eyes. This seems to keep evildoers away. Of course, it keeps most other people away,too.
0
smartacus
Recently, I have started to be more careful on train platforms. I used to stand at the front. Now I stand at the back as the train approaches. My ears also seem to go on the alert when I hear someone running behind me on a street. I don't listen to iPods when I am outside so that I won't be distracted and I no longer walk with my hands in my pockets.
It's getting so that we will all have to go out wearing knife-proof shirts next. With the hot, humid summer upon us and people seemingly more short-tempered, who knows what to expect?
0
some14some
I have set my brain nerves to Red Alert.
0
borscht
I observe my surroundings, as always, for crazy people. I'm very busy.
0
Zen_Builder
NONE, in short nothing I haven't done for decades already.
0
williamsmith
I just don't attract trouble.
0
kurtp
None, this is Japan, a still very safe country. The recent surge in knife incidents is deplorable, certainly for those involved, however, collective panic will not help either. Nowhere, except for Singapore perhaps, feels as safe as Japan. I mean how comfortable would you be walking around a lonely street in, say, London late at night? So let's keep things in perspective...
0
timorborder
Considering all the crazies around the place, I never go out alone. I always have the voices in my head to keep me company. On a more serious note, because I work from home, I don't really go to high traffic areas that often. Other than this, if I am outside walking around the neighborhood, I am usually accompanied by a weapon - one of my dogs.
0
WilliB
Nothing particular. I don`t want to be paranoid all day long. On second thought, I guess I'll make it a habit to wear good running shoes.
0
cleo
Like timorborder, if I'm out I'm likely accompanied by a dog. I make sure I keep myself between the dog and any passing stranger. Wouldn't want any nutter hurting my dog.
0
roughneck
In Japan...none. Never needed.
0
rjd_jr
Where I live can be quite challenging but not an undue amount of extra stress.
For sure one way to reduce risk of personal harm is to avoid areas that are known criminal hotspots. These may include areas with known gang activity. Another is to avoid driving confrontations. I know this is extremely hard as road rage is quite common amongst many people. But that one person you flip off may be the one in 100,000 that shoots and kills you. So I try to be cool headed when I drive. I try to avoid areas where teens congregate. Teens nowadays are one of the biggest groups of pain where I live. Unlike decades ago, teens think they rule all, have no respect for elders or society. These punks are annoying and have a tendency to think they are bad arse gangstas ready to pick on the innocent.
0
timorborder
Cleo, I am the other way around. Because of my dog's natural instincts, he makes a point of positioning himself between me and other people (those he doesn't know). He doesn't bark, he doesn't growl, he just watches. If the other person has a dog with them, he ignores it and watches the face of the other person. Without permission (or a release) from me, he won't let anybody within about 3ft of me (or other family members).
0
Zenigata2
I never take the same route twice from house to work or vice versa. I can reach the station nearest to my office using three different train lines and/or trains, and I never take the same train two days in a row. Also, I stand back from the platform's edge when the train approaches and wait until the doors open to get close to it. Better safe than sorry...
0
Sarge
Phaser set on stun.
0
Betting
Other than looking right and left and right again, before I cross the road, I don't do anything at all.
If some guy is going to come at me with a knife, I'm sure I'll be caught offguard and anyway I wouldn't have a clue how I would protect myself in that kind of situation. I think a lot of people would be in the same situation. But, I think questions like this that are asked on JT do very little to help the public, they only help to raise the fear levels.
But if I were you Sarge, I'd have that phaser set on KILL!!! Cos stun is what they be expecting you to do!!
0
KaptainKichigai
"be prepared" is the Boy Scout Motto. You dont have to be paranoid or scared to be prepared. The life you could save, might not be your own at all. There are always accidental dangers everywhere, and not the knife wielding variety. Be prepared to catch that liitle kid that broke away from his moms hand and is dashing into the street. Open your eyes and be aware of whats around you. Be aware of whats going on on a crowded train and lend a hand if someone is being harassed. Yell "look out" before the person on the bicycle reading hs/her cellphone crashes into the old man with the 10 bags filled with aluminum cans.
0
GW
i just use common sense, works like a charm!
0
ampontan
People may not like to hear it, but I carry a handgun in Osaka.
0
badge123
Nothing much, compared to where I came from in the US, Japan is still a much safer country. s.
0
Sarge
ampontan - You may not like to hear it, but unless you're a cop, carrying a handgun in Osaka is illegal!
0
realist
Lets put an end to the silly myth that "Japan is a safe country." Its not, and it is just nonsense to perpetrate that falsehood. Many of us witness the true face of modern Japan during the daily hell-ride to work. Bad manners, downright rudeness, aggression and often violence. Its all there for those whose eyes are not blinkered, to see. There seems to be a general feeling of despair and hopelessness in Japanese society these days. Lack of purpose and meaning in life, and no personal sense of worth. Just look at some of the faces around you on those trains, and you will understand what I mean.
How do I protect myself? I try to make myself as invisible as possible, and I try to avoid and bodily contact (almost impossible sometimes) or eye contact with the people around me. There are just too many scary people around these days, and you just never know the minute there will be an explosion of anger and rage.
0
ampontan
Sarge - It's illegal for most people, that is true.
0
Nessie
KurtP, said it. Safe.
No measures when I'm out, other than blinking front and back lights on my bicycle. And just the usual protection when I'm in. ;)
Realist, holy crap! I thought I was paranoid, but you put me to shame.
0
Nessie
But God said I could, Sarge. In fact, he said I must, in preparation for the final cleansing.
0
capone
taser
0
Triumvere
Pay attention to your surroundings... probably the best thing a unarmed, untrained citizen can do to protect himself.
0
Spidey
Aikido Master...REI!
0
RedMeatKoolAid
I wear my Hope Change Obama 08 tee shirt at all times
0
nightflesh
my two fists, they have ended lots of situations even in Japan.
0
DeepAir65
I think a number of people have said it already - pay attention. Be aware of your surroundings and use common sense.
Any one care to bet against me that at least one of the victims run over on Sunday had their nose in their keitei?
Talking of being run over - never assume that because the little man at the crossing is green that a car is not jumping the lights. Wait at least 10 seconds especially if crossing somewhere like kananpachi dori
0
nimbus
My light saber and having the force with me.
0
GW
I often move back from the front of the line on platforms when people start to accumlate, dont need to get a good spot inside the train that badly. When I move from front to back you get some interesting looks & then people start looking at each other trying to figure out what exactly is going on ha ha.
Common sense, confuses yr average Tanaka every time!!
0
Sarge
nimbus - Phaser on stun works too.
GW - You're funny!
0
Fair dinkum!
In Oz there is a certain demographic of society that you know will give you trouble. The same can be said for Japan to a certain degree, although, with recent events it is impossible to predict who or when you may find yourself confronted by a loon. Therefor, keep your kids close and your eyes open. I never thought I would end up being paranoid living in Japan. It's a shame!
0
lipscombe
hahahahaha lala land alert
0
Bovinus
None at all. I go walking late at night by myself. I don't carry weapons. I just believe Japan is a safe enough country where the chances of being attacked or killed by a stranger are so minisculy small that 'safety precautions' are unjustified.
0
Nessie
Australians? :)
0
blvtzpk
My tinfoil cap. Works everytime.
0
NICOLE77
I dont wear earphones when out and about...
0
Spider
...until you are taken out by a truck from nowhere suddenly mounting the pavement.
0
serindipity
Stay home forever! - Oh hang on! That's what turns you into one of these loonies, isn't it?
0
nisegaijin
Hot dog to fill health, Body armor in Ammunation, along with some hand grandes, ammo, M16 and a sniper riffle.... i better stop playing GTA now...
0
yasaxikoo
well i think Tokyo is one of the best security-asuring int'l cities all over the world,esp comparing to the American big Cities like Chicago,L.A,New York.and rules for everything is so perfect that ya dunt need worry little about sum of bastards who should gonna rub you!cas,there ya never feel ya r rich enough for them to notice ya!
0
Cos
@Spider
*...until you are taken out by a truck from nowhere suddenly mounting the *pavement.
That supposes there is a pavement and streets large enough for trucks...
I do seems necessary. That depends on the place and situation. Most times, that means wearing a sun hat, sun glasses, proper shoes, checking the weather and the map carully before departure.
I am not especially afraid of a madmen with knives. Let's be realistic, no matter what the TV shows, I have 100 000 more chances of being hurt by a knife I hold myself, in my kitchen...
0
usaexpat
None, I have never felt unsafe here. Maybe that comes from having grown up in a large city back home. Even Tokyo is usually pretty tame by comparison. That said I also don't walk around in a daze. Paying attention to your surroundings is the best defense.
0
Stranger_in_a_Strange_Land
Japan IS incredibly safe compared to the US, where I am from. The city I live in is much safer than my hometown. Have said that, many self-defense devices not for sale in Japan can be ordered online. I have ordered and recieved different knives, a stun gun, an extendable baton. Pepper spray, I believe, would be very possible. You could make your own pepper spray to discourage animals or dogs with a small handheld plant sprayer filled with a mixture of tabasco sauce and ammonia.
0
KitsuneYoukai
In Japan because I cannot bring anything like posters mentioned here into the country, I rely on my own sense of awareness about my surroundings and my intuition. I wouldn't know where to go in Tokyo, Japan to get proper defensive gear.
0
dennis0bauer
i have a tattoo and i am a gajin, seems to work
Back to top