papasmurfinjapan said...

papasmurfinjapan at 11:51 AM JST - 24th April

But why are they plain clothed, and not in uniform?

If the point of checking IDs is to look for illegal aliens, then wouldn't ditching the uniform make sense? It is much easier for someone to avoid the police when they can spot them in uniform from 100 metres away.

Posted in Roughed up by the cops in Shinjuku at 11:51 AM JST - 24th April
papasmurfinjapan at 08:55 AM JST - 24th April

nuts,

Yeah but the kid is 9yrs old. Give him a few years to find his rhythm and mature a little. Maybe if he makes it to New Orleans while young they can inject some passion into him.

Posted in 9-year-old professional jazz drummer debuts in Osaka at 08:55 AM JST - 24th April
papasmurfinjapan at 08:50 AM JST - 24th April

blvtzpk

Sorry, it seems the moderator has deleted them (which I suppose is a good thing). There were a few posts in succession basically saying "Japanese can't ride bicycles", "Japanese are idiots" etc. Granted there are people who can't ride bikes and plenty of idiots here, but generalisations about "the…

Posted in What do you think of attempts by police to get people to stop using cell phones and listening to music while riding bicycles? at 08:50 AM JST - 24th April
papasmurfinjapan at 06:05 PM JST - 23rd April

Sorry, here's the link http://www.debito.org/instantcheckpoints2.html

Posted in Roughed up by the cops in Shinjuku at 06:05 PM JST - 23rd April
papasmurfinjapan at 06:04 PM JST - 23rd April

GeorgeRouault,

If you really study your Debito, you will find they DO have the right to check ID of foreigners.

To quote Debito Now, if the cop really knows his law (and chances are that he does), he will come back at you with another law, the Foreign Registry Law,…

Posted in Roughed up by the cops in Shinjuku at 06:04 PM JST - 23rd April
papasmurfinjapan at 05:58 PM JST - 23rd April

pathat

Don't get me wrong. I think healthy skepticism is necessary, especially if you are not sure of the person's credentials. But I think Ms Lee and her friend handled the situation badly. I can understand the sense of panic, but in situations like this is is essential to remain…

Posted in Roughed up by the cops in Shinjuku at 05:58 PM JST - 23rd April
papasmurfinjapan at 05:36 PM JST - 23rd April

Legally the police have no right to ask for your ID unless they suspect you of a crime If you read Debito carefully, you will find that law only applies to Japanese citizens. There is another law that I cannot be bothered to look up that says they have the…

Posted in Roughed up by the cops in Shinjuku at 05:36 PM JST - 23rd April
papasmurfinjapan at 05:22 PM JST - 23rd April

Yes but does the ward office have the authority to take it off me or photocopy it?

Hmmm, not sure about that. When I renewed mine last year they copied my passport. I didn't really think about the legality of it. Maybe they just want to check 1. You haven't…

Posted in Roughed up by the cops in Shinjuku at 05:22 PM JST - 23rd April
papasmurfinjapan at 05:13 PM JST - 23rd April

this system of racial profiling is abhorrent

What bubble world do you live in?

Name one country where the police don't have the authority to check the legal status of foreigners.

Name one country where police pull out their ID for you to study and write down their names and…

Posted in Roughed up by the cops in Shinjuku at 05:13 PM JST - 23rd April
papasmurfinjapan at 04:58 PM JST - 23rd April

Should they want the real document, they can accompany me to my hotel.

Hahaha. Unless they were very very nice policemen, I don't see this happening.

What they would most probably do is take you to the koban, where you would have to remain until you could find someone to…

Posted in Roughed up by the cops in Shinjuku at 04:58 PM JST - 23rd April