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PHOTO BY MAX HODGES

Tuesday 10th June, 07:11 AM JST

A chubby policeman searches a man’s bag in Shinjuku.

External Link:http://www.tokyorealtime.com/

Latest 15 of 118 Total Comments Show All

Nessie at 04:34 PM JST - 11th June

Wottock, I don't know why anyone hear would want to be more anal than they already are.
DanManjt at 11:49 PM JST - 11th June

Why would anyone object to letting the policeman look inside the bag?

Because its my bag.
DanManjt at 11:56 PM JST - 11th June

White Rabbit

Thank you for the photo and your eloquent post explaining why you took it. I particularly applaud your expressing how you appreciate police efforts, and think they should do so within the bounds of the law. Japan need not be society of men, and not laws.

Calling the police who do not follow the legal codes "criminal" may be viewed by many as too argumentative. But what other word can we use to describe police who do not follow the established procedure for law enforcement...?
DanManjt at 12:01 AM JST - 12th June

Himajin

What do you suggest they [the authorities] do?

Well, for starters, if they want to allow police to excercise greater policing powers, they should change the law to that affect. Otherwise the law means little.

And that is a whole lot more dangerous than ten mad men with knives.
TheGeneral at 07:56 AM JST - 12th June

Calling the police who do not follow the legal codes "criminal" may be viewed by many as too argumentative. But what other word can we use to describe police who do not follow the established procedure for law enforcement...?

Illegal, unlawful, felonious . . . They all mean the same thing and are applicable. When you break the law, it is a criminal act.

I'm just curious whether or not those that have no problem with unwarranted searches of their person would object to the same searches of their homes.

After all, they have nothing to hide. Shouldn't be a big deal, right?
Zen_Builder at 08:05 AM JST - 12th June

Hmm, makes me thing about the bag-searches, etc at Airports, Disney-land, Office-buildings, etc. I would think all those are also illegal.

Hey, why do they search(X-Ray) your bags without having any warrants or suspicions of you?

I think people go off on their "rights" forgetting that those rights also come with obligations. Just more of the ME first Culture.
rtrhead1 at 08:52 AM JST - 12th June

Sad thing is, yesterday in Chatan in Okinawa, I saw an "Officer of the Law" standing outside the police box, as they often do when they are "observing", and he made this guy look straight anorexic! I would've taken a picture, but my phone takes pictures about as fast as mud flows and my real camera was at home. Unluckily, this guy has been seared into my memory as another example of the police here... Now that I think about it, the police box is in the same building as a Starbucks. Coincidence? I think not!
Nessie at 06:10 PM JST - 12th June

DanMan, excellent answer!
DanManjt at 11:35 PM JST - 12th June

Nessie,

Thanks,
DanManjt at 11:37 PM JST - 12th June

TheGeneral

People who live in glass houses shouldn't mind spot searches...?
Kijimuna at 11:16 AM JST - 13th June

Danmanjt, there are no 4th, 5th or 6th amendment equivalents in Japanese law. The law is already sufficiently loose to allow police to search you, your bag, your car, your house without your cooperation or warrant. You may be taken to a police facility and held under suspicion for up to 23 days without arrest. Usually the police pressure or beg people to cooperate, but they don't have to, and sometimes don't. If someone asks to see your bag, just show him the contents and move on. You ain't in Kansas anymore.
DanManjt at 12:34 AM JST - 14th June

There are no 4th, 5th or 6th amendment equivalents in Japanese law.

Are you certain about that. I mean, really certain. Because it would really make someone look ignorant, foolish, or dishonest to say something like that and not double-check after being challenged on it.
Kijimuna at 04:43 AM JST - 14th June

Danmanjt, have a look for yourself. Let me know if you find something different.
Kijimuna at 04:51 AM JST - 14th June

My only other advice would be to refuse to show the contents of your bag, and see what happens.
DanManjt at 08:20 AM JST - 14th June

have a look for yourself. Let me know if you find something different..

I have. Many times.

If you wish to taken seriously, its not a bad idea to know what you are talking about, and when challenging someone who does, be prepared to back up what you say. I find it disheartening, though typical, that though you are the one who asserts there are no 4th, 5th or 6th amendment equivalents in Japanese law, you seem quite content leaving that assertion unsubstantiated. Especially when considering how that assertion is the basis for your challenge to my point that Japan's police practices should match the laws governing policing.

Be that as, so, kindly check Articles 33 - 35 of the Constitution. And the Code of Criminal Procedure Law, Art 210 and 220

My only other advice would be to refuse to show the contents of your bag, and see what happens

This is not other advice, as you have offered no advice to me before. If you wish to argue that it is unwise to refuse the cops, well, that is precisely the issue we are discussing. Regarding what to do when the interacting with the police, I offer the following which you may take as you wish:

When dealing with the Japanese police, first and foremost bear in mind that local cops and the prefectural police are two different animals. My advice is unless you are connected -- and I mean really connected as in a foreign government official, CIA or under the direct supervision of a such a person of status either foreign or Japanese-- do not mess with the prefectural police. You may be right. And you may run into a lot of trouble that could be easily avoided. And corrected, given the appropriate time.

With the omawari san or the trafic cops, well, there is quite a lot of wiggle room. Still, always be formal and respectful, even deferential, but you need not comply if they have not made their case to you. Granted, you must be sufficiently proficient in Japanese to be able to make your case to the officer.