mostly as part of training for new officers. the more senior officer would stop me, ask if I had time (what are you going to say, no and brush past?) and then the newbie would go through the whole ID / bag check routine. Usually, it was all very polite and courteous if slightly annoying.
twice I got rushed at and surrounded because I "fit the description" which was pretty alarming knowing how the legal system here works.
what always bothered me, aside from the obvious, is the optics. this would invariably happen either going to or coming home from work which means co-workers, neighbours, etc. can see you interacting with the police like this which isn't really a good look.
Maybe three or four times in a dozen years or so, and not recently. Bike checks and ID checks. On no occasion had I been doing anything suspicious, or had I broken any laws, except perhaps for 'riding a bike while foreign.'
I remain polite and respectful, and give no more information than is legally required. I see it as a real life "pop-up."
Doing nothing just walking and suddenly being stopped asked for ID.
@bcexile
this would invariably happen either going to or coming home from work which means co-workers, neighbours, etc. can see you interacting with the police like this which isn't really a good look.
Which area is that, being rushed because they try to find someone that means something did happen.
Several times, the last being a few months ago. Mostly ID and bike checks. Once was my fault because I was riding through an underpass where bicycles were prohibited. Another, they wanted to know where I was going at that hour (7-11), then tailed me in their car until I got there and they watched me go inside. Most interesting interaction was not one of being stopped, but the police coming to my workplace to ask me questions about my finding a cat in the area the night before (also asked to pose for photos where I was pointing at the crime scene).
A few times. Last year in Tokyo during coronavirus while walking home at 10 pm I was targeted amongst Japanese and asked to show id, reason given was that there are a lot of foreigners in this area.
30 years, twice about 2 weeks apart at the same train station. When I mentioned that it was the second time within 2 weeks, he apologized and mentioned it was because of the upcoming Olympics, which were still a few (4 to 5?) years away!
About 25 years ago, I and my best friend were detained after having an altercation at a very famous club in Hiroshima 4 guys jumped my friend and two jumped me over a woman that my friend was dating but had no idea that she was also dating (add to that the woman was also married) one of the guys in the club that were the lynchpin for the start of the altercation.
Police were called in, they tried to break the fight up and one of the officers got clocked in the mouth by my friend for trying to twist his arm back, there were over 16 cops, and lots of emotions, but no arrests were made.
Walked out of our building to get a sports drink for my daughter that was sick, machine located at the front of our building I was in my pajamas ( actually a cheap grey sweat suit) at 2:00 AM two cops driving by stopped me from going back in asked for my then Gaijin card all I had was the door key and the bottle of sports drink.
I said ring the apartment and my then wife would bring out my ID.
Nope they wouldn't let me ring the intercom or anything.
Instead called a car took me to the station then called my house.
My wife has to take the sick child call a taxi and go to the station to bring my ID.
Then she unleashed a barrage of insults on all the police officers involved, my now ex wife had one heck of a temper.
But now mostly in Akihabara where they search bags (note they stop many Japanese also) and a lot while driving, always the say line.
Is your "winker" working
If course just an excuse because that is followed by asking for my alien registration card not my driver's license and that is usually followed by the request with is really not a request.
Can we search your car, bags etc..?
As if I actually have the right to say no.
The last time was last weekend driving along the Arakawa river road right after it reopened after the Adachi-ku fireworks.
Didn't go well when they asked my present wife 100% Japanese for her Alien registration card!
Then request ID which she refused to show and told them a few choice words.
My mixed adult children have been stopped many times asking for proof they are Japanese.
They refuse and challenge the cops to do something, they never do because it would be a very legal problem of discrimination.
But I keep hearing this never in X years but when I push a little it turns out to be more like.
Well yes for " normal things like bicycle check, that doesn't count".
I would believe once or twice but "never " hard to believe.
My daughter got asked exiting of Nagoya station, then got stopped and asked again not more than 200 metre down the road.
In 3 Days in Nagoya she got stopped every day!
Like my she refuses to ever step foot there again.
I would believe once or twice but "never " hard to believe.
Sorry to break it to you, but no, I have never been stopped. Not once. Not for a bicycle check, not for an ID check, nothing. I have spoken to police to ask for directions, but never once have they asked me for ID.
About half a dozen times Twice for the offense of "being a gaijin walking on a public sidewalk minding his own business." No explanations were given. Once in Osaka around the time of some expo or something, not that they explained any possible connection, etc.
The rest of time on my bicycle, evidently for the office of "being a gaijin riding a registered bicycle on a public road."
A turkish guy with a dark complexion told me he was stopped EVERY SINGLE NIGHT on cycling on his way home from the restaurant where he worked. Once, two officers fled the scene of a car accident in order to flag him down.
I have even overtaken a small police car with it light flashing doing 40kph in a 50 kph zone and did not get pull over.
Yep, I crossed the road against a red and a young cop on a bicycle stopped a bunch of others for doing it but let me walk right on by. I’ve ridden past a koban with a refreshing beer and even called out “good morning” To the three officers standing outside and they just responded in kind. Small things that they can stop you for (the beer while riding, not the good morning), but they just let it go.
Maybe it’s just luck, and it’ll probably run out one day, but I’m yet to be stopped. It’s actually really surprising how often some people get stopped.
remember 500won story?when 500won coins some guys did some hole in it than used in vending machine instead of 500yen coin?
they came from behind while i bought some drink from vending machine...at 1am.
gaijin=suspect.
they were loud and rude as were almost sure big fish catched.it was some 10m from house we have lived.so I have called my wife she came down and guys after they have checked my ids and pockets left without saying sorry...nothing.
but had also positive experience too,when moved to countryside.after registration of new addrass at local city office we went to local police station had some words with local sheriff...since than just hello etc but nothing annoying.
Yes a few times for speeding, nothing over the top, just impatience, never been actually fined, just a lecture.
Also sometimes for not coming to halt at a stop sign. I sometimes just drive to what I mistakenly determine to be behavioral attributes of the traffic without paying attention.
My vintage Mini suffered a few electrical issues, brake light failure.
Officer dibble is always very polite and helpful.
My bike has been checked a few times too. Mostly at the station.
Ah, nearly forgot. Once in Ikebukuro Station, I was walking with a gaijin friend who was a diving instructor in Thailand, had a tan in winter, and a general appearance of someone who spends a lot of time on the beach.
Two cops marched up, saying, "passport!, passport!" After we complied with a startled and slightly amused attitude, they went away. They were definitely not polite about it and offered no explanation as to why we were targeted.
Once, about 25 years ago when I'd only been in the country a few days. A bored cop who had nothing else to do asked me politely for my passport. I showed it to him, and he thanked me and went on his merry way. Nothing since.
If you drive, and I did almost daily for 20 years+, it is inevitable. But it has nothing to do with being a foreigner: a few times they were stopping everybody (alcohol tests, seat belt check, safety campaigns, etc.), and a speeding ticket (and once they let me go). I was only once stopped for a bicycle check at night, but again, they were checking everybody.
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Peter Neil
25+ years - never.
Haaa Nemui
18 years. Never.
bcexile
25+ years, several times
mostly as part of training for new officers. the more senior officer would stop me, ask if I had time (what are you going to say, no and brush past?) and then the newbie would go through the whole ID / bag check routine. Usually, it was all very polite and courteous if slightly annoying.
twice I got rushed at and surrounded because I "fit the description" which was pretty alarming knowing how the legal system here works.
what always bothered me, aside from the obvious, is the optics. this would invariably happen either going to or coming home from work which means co-workers, neighbours, etc. can see you interacting with the police like this which isn't really a good look.
wallace
Not once in 30 years but also I don't drive. Never had to give my ID.
fatrainfallingintheforest
Maybe three or four times in a dozen years or so, and not recently. Bike checks and ID checks. On no occasion had I been doing anything suspicious, or had I broken any laws, except perhaps for 'riding a bike while foreign.'
I remain polite and respectful, and give no more information than is legally required. I see it as a real life "pop-up."
sakurasuki
Doing nothing just walking and suddenly being stopped asked for ID.
Which area is that, being rushed because they try to find someone that means something did happen.
餓死鬼
Several times, the last being a few months ago. Mostly ID and bike checks. Once was my fault because I was riding through an underpass where bicycles were prohibited. Another, they wanted to know where I was going at that hour (7-11), then tailed me in their car until I got there and they watched me go inside. Most interesting interaction was not one of being stopped, but the police coming to my workplace to ask me questions about my finding a cat in the area the night before (also asked to pose for photos where I was pointing at the crime scene).
Bill Lewis
Only at Narita airport. They didn't believe me when I said I didn't have my passport with me. I was only going to meet family, so I didn't need one.
Redemption
A few times. Last year in Tokyo during coronavirus while walking home at 10 pm I was targeted amongst Japanese and asked to show id, reason given was that there are a lot of foreigners in this area.
Raw Beer
30 years, twice about 2 weeks apart at the same train station. When I mentioned that it was the second time within 2 weeks, he apologized and mentioned it was because of the upcoming Olympics, which were still a few (4 to 5?) years away!
bass4funk
About 25 years ago, I and my best friend were detained after having an altercation at a very famous club in Hiroshima 4 guys jumped my friend and two jumped me over a woman that my friend was dating but had no idea that she was also dating (add to that the woman was also married) one of the guys in the club that were the lynchpin for the start of the altercation.
Police were called in, they tried to break the fight up and one of the officers got clocked in the mouth by my friend for trying to twist his arm back, there were over 16 cops, and lots of emotions, but no arrests were made.
Antiquesaving
Multiple times, can't even be bothered to court.
My first is most memorable.
Walked out of our building to get a sports drink for my daughter that was sick, machine located at the front of our building I was in my pajamas ( actually a cheap grey sweat suit) at 2:00 AM two cops driving by stopped me from going back in asked for my then Gaijin card all I had was the door key and the bottle of sports drink.
I said ring the apartment and my then wife would bring out my ID.
Nope they wouldn't let me ring the intercom or anything.
Instead called a car took me to the station then called my house.
My wife has to take the sick child call a taxi and go to the station to bring my ID.
Then she unleashed a barrage of insults on all the police officers involved, my now ex wife had one heck of a temper.
But now mostly in Akihabara where they search bags (note they stop many Japanese also) and a lot while driving, always the say line.
If course just an excuse because that is followed by asking for my alien registration card not my driver's license and that is usually followed by the request with is really not a request.
As if I actually have the right to say no.
The last time was last weekend driving along the Arakawa river road right after it reopened after the Adachi-ku fireworks.
Didn't go well when they asked my present wife 100% Japanese for her Alien registration card!
Then request ID which she refused to show and told them a few choice words.
My mixed adult children have been stopped many times asking for proof they are Japanese.
They refuse and challenge the cops to do something, they never do because it would be a very legal problem of discrimination.
But I keep hearing this never in X years but when I push a little it turns out to be more like.
I would believe once or twice but "never " hard to believe.
My daughter got asked exiting of Nagoya station, then got stopped and asked again not more than 200 metre down the road.
In 3 Days in Nagoya she got stopped every day!
Like my she refuses to ever step foot there again.
Haaa Nemui
Sorry to break it to you, but no, I have never been stopped. Not once. Not for a bicycle check, not for an ID check, nothing. I have spoken to police to ask for directions, but never once have they asked me for ID.
John-San
In ten years 2009- 2019 never, I have even overtaken a small police car with it light flashing doing 40kph in a 50 kph zone and did not get pull over.
JeffLee
About half a dozen times Twice for the offense of "being a gaijin walking on a public sidewalk minding his own business." No explanations were given. Once in Osaka around the time of some expo or something, not that they explained any possible connection, etc.
The rest of time on my bicycle, evidently for the office of "being a gaijin riding a registered bicycle on a public road."
A turkish guy with a dark complexion told me he was stopped EVERY SINGLE NIGHT on cycling on his way home from the restaurant where he worked. Once, two officers fled the scene of a car accident in order to flag him down.
Haaa Nemui
Yep, I crossed the road against a red and a young cop on a bicycle stopped a bunch of others for doing it but let me walk right on by. I’ve ridden past a koban with a refreshing beer and even called out “good morning” To the three officers standing outside and they just responded in kind. Small things that they can stop you for (the beer while riding, not the good morning), but they just let it go.
Maybe it’s just luck, and it’ll probably run out one day, but I’m yet to be stopped. It’s actually really surprising how often some people get stopped.
kibousha
Akihabara, just after the incident, they said they needed to search my bag.
Paustovsky
No. They wouldn't dare.
wallace
Why is it that foreigners frequently stopped think it must happen to all foreigners when it does not.
fatrainfallingintheforest
Why? What would you do?
commanteer
Almost 30 years, never stopped except when driving. I know someone who looks a lot like me and he gets stopped frequently - don't know why.
Yuuju
I have never been stopped by Japanese police because I have never been to Japan :D
but if I have to be stopped by Japanese police I want them to be just my type :3
Eastman
yes.
remember 500won story?when 500won coins some guys did some hole in it than used in vending machine instead of 500yen coin?
they came from behind while i bought some drink from vending machine...at 1am.
gaijin=suspect.
they were loud and rude as were almost sure big fish catched.it was some 10m from house we have lived.so I have called my wife she came down and guys after they have checked my ids and pockets left without saying sorry...nothing.
but had also positive experience too,when moved to countryside.after registration of new addrass at local city office we went to local police station had some words with local sheriff...since than just hello etc but nothing annoying.
itsonlyrocknroll
Yes a few times for speeding, nothing over the top, just impatience, never been actually fined, just a lecture.
Also sometimes for not coming to halt at a stop sign. I sometimes just drive to what I mistakenly determine to be behavioral attributes of the traffic without paying attention.
My vintage Mini suffered a few electrical issues, brake light failure.
Officer dibble is always very polite and helpful.
My bike has been checked a few times too. Mostly at the station.
JeffLee
Ah, nearly forgot. Once in Ikebukuro Station, I was walking with a gaijin friend who was a diving instructor in Thailand, had a tan in winter, and a general appearance of someone who spends a lot of time on the beach.
Two cops marched up, saying, "passport!, passport!" After we complied with a startled and slightly amused attitude, they went away. They were definitely not polite about it and offered no explanation as to why we were targeted.
Bad Haircut
Once, about 25 years ago when I'd only been in the country a few days. A bored cop who had nothing else to do asked me politely for my passport. I showed it to him, and he thanked me and went on his merry way. Nothing since.
theResident
A few times - All speeding or jaywalking. Always my fault and nothing that ever singled me out for being a foreigner.
timeon
If you drive, and I did almost daily for 20 years+, it is inevitable. But it has nothing to do with being a foreigner: a few times they were stopping everybody (alcohol tests, seat belt check, safety campaigns, etc.), and a speeding ticket (and once they let me go). I was only once stopped for a bicycle check at night, but again, they were checking everybody.
Aly Rustom
yes. ALL the time before. Now that I drive EVERYWHERE, not so much anymore.
fatrainfallingintheforest
Why? What would you do?
No response. That's what I thought.