Job Discussion Forums

[Tom Highway]

This is really getting old . Just got stopped today, AGAIN, for absolutely no reason at the train station. The policeman asked me for my card. I pointed to the train departure board and explained that my shinkansen left in 3 minutes. He apologized but insisted on seeing my card. He and his partner spent about 5 minutes asking me various questions...where I lived, where I worked, where I was going, why I was going there, etc. I was extremely vague about everything (except for my apartment, which is listed on the back of my card). Anyway I wound up missing my train. As my card was returned I asked the cop why he stopped me. He said that every foreigner in Japan is responsible for showing their card on request. I'm fairly certain he could tell I was pissed, so me tried to make some polite small talk..."I have ever been to Canada". I replied "subarashii" and walked away.

Anyway this is like the 5th time this has happened. I've gotta be honest, I hate Japanese cops. I think they're the about the most useless people I've encountered. I have a lot of respect for N. American cops...yeah they have to enforce petty laws but if something ever hit the fan I'd rely on them for help. These little dorks, from what I've seen, do nothing other than crack down on the flagrant bike-light infractions, saunter around the entertainment area in groups of twenty and harass people.

Ok, vent over. Can anyone provide me with some factual information about whether or not these glorified mall guards can stop a foreigner for absolutely no reason. Anecdotes are appreciated but I'd really like a link to a legal site or something similar.

Thanks

[PAULH]

[Tom Highway]

Exactly what I was looking for. Thanks!

[PAULH]

[fox1]

that's never happened to me.

But I have been stopped on my bike 27 times.

However, [OK I used to think that was discrimination] I now think that is basically because my bike doesn't have a lock.

I know many foreigners who've never been stopped (bicycle-wise)

[PAULH]

[nickelgoat]

.....

[angrysoba]

What is it with cops and bosozoku?

I've been told by various people that they can't do anything as most bosozoku are underage and can't be convicted. But why can't the police impound their bikes?

Recently they've been driving round my house at three in the morning grinning inanely as they rev their hairdryers. I'd love to throw a bucket of water on the little F#@$ers only that would make ME the criminal.

I once asked one of my students (a 60 year-old businessman) what he thought of them, he said "They're just showing their young spirit." I wonder if the cops are as doe-eyed about these w@nkers!

[shuize]

I haven't been stopped by the police in a long time. But like the OP, the last time it happened just outside a train station while I was in a hurry and the cop was an ass about it.

Cop: "Hey, you on the bike ..."

Me: "Yes?"

Cop: "Stop ..."

Me: "I'm sort of in a hurry."

Cop: "This will only take a second. Where'd you buy that bike?"

Me: "[Shop Name]."

Cop: "Where's that?"

Me: "[City name]."

Cop: "Where do you live?"

Me: "[Different city name]."

Cop: "I thought you said you bought it in [1st city]."

Me: "I did."

Cop: "So where did you buy it?"

Me: "[1st city]."

Cop: "And where do you live?"

(Over and over)

I guess he thought of himself as the Japanese Sherlock Holmes and figured he'd try and trip me up somehow by asking the same questions over and over. Funny enough though, he never asked for my Alien Registration Card. But he did finally end the interview with a phrase that pissed me off.

Cop: (Pointing his finger at me) "Just be careful..."

Me: (Thinking to myself) Of what, A-shole? D*ckhead cops like you? Sure thing.

[Like a Rolling Stone]

I think the police in Japan are quite friendly. There was a fight I saw and then a group of police came. "Here comes trouble" I thought and then one persdon knocked a policeman's hat off. But he just reached down and picked it back up. I think in England or America the police would be really angry if that happened. But maybe the police shouldn"t be friendly

[Hoser]

Never had a problem with the cops before, then again I'm white.

[shuize]

[Like a Rolling Stone]

Here"s the article. Don't know where the video is:

http://mdn.mainichi-msn.co.jp/waiwai/archive/news/2005/03/20050302p2g00m0dm999000c.html

[shuize]

I googled around and found a BBC article and video on it.

Article:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/4287899.stm#

Video:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/nolavconsole/ukfs_news/hi/nb_wm_fs.stm?checkedBandwidth=nb&nbram=1&subtitles=hide&checkedMedia=asx&news=1&bbwm=1&nbwm=1&bbram=1&nol_storyid=4290735

Funny.

[angrysoba]

Cheers for that Shuize. Really funny.