Job Discussion Forums

[dove]

Two times in the past month I have ben stopped by the police and asked to show my gaijin card. Previous to this, I was only ever stopped once, over 10 years ago. Has anyone else noticed an increase in this? Maybe I was just unlucky, in the wrong place at the wrong time. But I don't see how walking down the street in Ebisu on a bright Monday afternoon is the wrong place or the wrong time. Maybe it's training season for new police recruits because today I was stopped by an older police officer and a young officer. Both were on bicycles and both first rode past me and I heard the older officer tell the younger officer to stop and question me.
I checked the website written by Debito Arbuto(sp?) and it said the police are not supposed to ask for IDs unless there is cause....I wish I had had the Japanese print-out with me.....and somebody in a previous thread said that the Japanese are the most evolved in the world. Yeah, right.

[Glenski]

Don't know if that area targets foreigners.
You weren't riding a bike, so the age-old scam of stopping you because they thought it was possible you stole it doesn't count.

I'd get the next cop to sign a note (ANY note) to say he has stopped you, then show it to the NEXT one. Or just stop into the nearest koban and look for these 2 guys, and politely ask for their names. Naw, just the first suggestion...

Oh, and copy Debito's note to carry with you.

By the way, did you ask them WHY they wanted to see your gaijin card? The answer might be interesting.

[Quibby84]

I was stopped by the police too (maybe it was my bicycle)....I just got here but I have noticed that there are police everywhere...

[Apsara]

Have not once been stopped by police here in 9 years, and I walk past the door of 2 kobans almost every day. Perhaps I look very law-abiding, or maybe it's because there are so many foreigners living and working in that area that they can't be bothered. Ebisu has plenty of foreigners though, so I go for the "new-recruit training" explanation for the OP's situation.

[canuck]

[Sweetsee]

Yeah, there is something going down. While stuck in traffic the other day I saw a cop stop a lone Japanese cyclist on a deserted stretch of side-walk in the middle of the day. It was unusual because the cop was on his own as well, at least it looked like it, until his two buddies pedaled up.

My advise is to avoid eye contact, don't respond to verbal commands and if they want to stop you make them do it physically. They are like dogs, ignore them and they will leave you alone. Of course, if they manage to corral you, never speak Japanese.


Enjoy,
s

[markle]

[Sweetsee]

Maybe you are right. Just pretend you are running into another foreigner.

[ripslyme]

When you make eye contact with the Japanese police, do a 180 and run away as fast as you can.

[User N. Ame]

[jademonkey]

I've never had a negative experience with the police. Seriously, unless you're actually breaking the law or look dodgy, or you're unlucky (which, face it, happens in every country) you should never have any problems with the cops.

They did lend me 2000 yen once, which increased my respect for them.

[Yawarakaijin]

[AndyH]

I have yet to be stopped by the police, but have initiated many conversations with them. I've stopped at Kobans quite a few times to ask for information, and they're usually quite friendly, especially when I tell them I'm a former cop.
I've never been asked to show my gaijin card, but I always make sure to have it. In fact, the only times I'm ever out of my apartment without it is when I'm running or taking the gomi out.

[jademonkey]

I believe you must carry your gaijin card by law. Which a lot of foreigners bitch about, but really it's just the most convenient form of ID for you. I mean you can carry your passport everywhere if you really want to.

[Sweetsee]

JDL works.