Crime rates in Tokyo have been reducing over the last two decades. The US Department of State Travel Advisory assessed entire Japan as Level 1: Exercise normal precaution ("Japan 2018 Crime & Safety Report: Tokyo", 2018). Tokyo the capital city of Japan was reported Tokyo as low threat location for crime by the US Department of State, through its embassy in Tokyo ("Japan 2018 Crime & Safety Report: Tokyo", 2018). This means that Tokyo is very safe for the residents, tourists and other visitors. By the year 2013, Tokyo had a total population of 9.06 million people, and data shows that only 1.32 out of 100 was involved in criminal activities. This means that only 1% of the people are involved in crime. Looking at the population of this city, 1% crime presents a city that is safe for everyone where the chances of becoming a victim of crime are almost impossible. The factors discussed in the following paragraphs have been identified to have had a significant impact on the crime rates.
Tabular presentation of the crime rate levels in Japan since the year 1998.
| Year | Number of Crimes Reported in Millions |
| 1998 | 2.0 |
| 1999 | 2.2 |
| 2000 | 2.4 |
| 2001 | 2.7 |
| 2002 | 2.9 |
| 2003 | 2.8 |
| 2004 | 2.6 |
| 2005 | 2.3 |
| 2006 | 2.1 |
| 2007 | 1.9 |
| 2008 | 1.8 |
| 2009 | 1.7 |
| 2010 | 1.6 |
| 2011 | 1.5 |
| 2012 | 1.4 |
| 2013 | 1.3 |
| 2014 | 1.2 |
| 2015 | 1.1 |
| 2016 | .996 |
| 2017 | .915 |
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In Tokyo, ATMs are installed on the inside of buildings making it safe for people to withdraw money safely, while convenience stores have more than one attendants to ensure the safety of both the employees and their customers ("Start Exploring Japan the Moment you Arrive", 2018). All parking lots have attendants assigned to them to deter criminals from attacking the users or breaking into cars left at the parking lots ("Start Exploring Japan the Moment you Arrive", 2018). This presents a situation where every aspect of life in Tokyo is not in any way exposed to threats from criminals. Compared to America, it is impossible to get mugged or become a victim of crime due to exposure. This is what makes it possible for people in Tokyo to run their activities normally without fear of crime.
Security is also enhanced by the presence of heavy security personnel, both privately hired by business people such as banks and restaurants, and the police all across the city ("Start Exploring Japan the Moment you Arrive", 2018). This helps prevent the occurrence of crime within the city as it reduces chances of criminal activities running unnoticed by the security personnel. Tokyo has strict rules against drug abuse and driving under the influence of alcohol. On some occasions, some American celebrities such as Paris Hilton have been denied entry into the city following their prior involvement in drugs ("Start Exploring Japan the Moment you Arrive", 2018). Also, individuals are not allowed to carry firearms which lower the probability of wrongful use of firearms by criminals and other organized terrorist gangs. Crime, guns, and drugs are all related. By discouraging the latter two, crime stands no chance of thriving.
Social Impact of Low Crime Rate in Tokyo
Crime can be said to be inversely related to population growth. Crime deters the possibility of new investors in the city, and also affects the way people operate their businesses. Across the world, regions characterized by high crime rate have been seen to experience low economic growth as such a region never realizes its full potential in terms of output. The opposite is true for a region that has a low crime rate. The absence of crime allows businesses to thrive, and subsequently the economy to grow.
In Tokyo, low crime rates have allowed investors and business people to run their businesses well. New investors have set up businesses creating employment opportunities for hundreds of people in the city. The people of the city are also not concerned with having firearms as no-one is allowed to own a firearm ("Start Exploring Japan the Moment you Arrive", 2018). Everyone feels safe without having a firearm. In addition to increased business performance, tourism thrives well in Tokyo as tourists feel safe whenever they visit the city in. Heavy security personnel present in the city allows the residents of the city to report crime-related activities faster or present any documents collected to the authorities faster for delivery to the rightful owners ("Start Exploring Japan the Moment you Arrive", 2018). In light of this, it is possible to retrieve lost property in the city, something that lacks in most major cities. The Tokyo community has developed ways of combating crime and thus keeping the city safe for businesses to operate, people to live in and visitors to come. A crime free environment is a prerequisite for economic and social development, and Tokyo has learned this script quite well, and its impact is well evidenced in the City’s level of development.
A Photo of Tokyo City demonstrating increased infrastructure as an impact of economic growth. (Bond, 2018).
References
Bond, M. (2018). The hidden ways that architecture affects how you feel. Retrieved from http://www.bbc.com/future/story/20170605-the-psychology-behind-your-citys-design
Japan 2018 Crime & Safety Report: Tokyo. (2018). Retrieved from https://www.osac.gov/pages/ContentReportDetails.aspx?cid=23720
Start Exploring Japan the Moment you Arrive. (2018). Retrieved from https://japantoday.com/category/features/lifestyle/10-factors-that-make-japan-a-safe-country
