Japan Crime Rate & Safety
Homicide statistics, crime trends, and travel safety for Japan
US State Department Travel Advisory
Exercise Normal Precautions
Updated May 15, 2025
Japan recorded 0.2 intentional homicides per 100,000 people in 2023, a rate that is among the lowest in the world. That places Japan #191 of 195 countries by homicide rate, compared with the Asia average of 2.0 per 100,000 and a world average of 5.2. Homicide has stayed rare over the past decade (0.3 per 100,000 in 2013, 0.2 today). For travelers, the US State Department currently rates Japan at Level 1 of 4: Exercise Normal Precautions.
Homicide Rate
0.2 /100k
Safety Rank
#5 of 195
Travel Advisory
Level 1 of 4
Data Year
2023
Homicide Rate Trend (1990-2023)
Intentional homicides per 100,000 people. Homicide has stayed rare over the past decade (0.3 per 100,000 in 2013, 0.2 today). Source: UNODC via World Bank.
How Japan Compares
Intentional homicides per 100,000 people, latest available year per country.
Who Is Affected
In Japan, the homicide rate for men is 1.0× that of the rate for women — 0.2 vs 0.2 per 100,000 (2023).
Homicide victims per 100,000 of each sex. Source: UNODC via World Bank.
Safety for Travelers
Summary of the current US State Department advisory for Japan:
Reissued after periodic review without changes. Exercise normal precautions in Japan. Read the country information page for additional information on travel to Japan. If you decide to travel to Japan, U.S. citizens should always exercise caution when traveling abroad. Use these general tips to stay safe: Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive messages and Alerts from the U.S. Embassy and make it easier to locate you in an emergency. Review the Country Security Report for Japan. Prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the Traveler's Checklist .
Level 1
Exercise Normal Precautions
Level 2
Exercise Increased Caution
Level 3
Reconsider Travel
Level 4
Do Not Travel
Safety Guidance for Japan
Practical safety information for visitors, from US State Department country information (last updated August 11, 2025).
Crime
Crime against U.S. citizens in Japan is low. It typically involves personal disputes, petty theft, or vandalism. Robberies can happen when someone is drugged by a spiked drink, especially in nightlife districts in major cities. Sexual assaults are not often reported, but they do occur. Victims may be randomly targeted. It’s hard for foreigners to access victim assistance or shelters. Hate-related violent crimes rarely occur. But some U.S. citizens have reported being the target of discrimination because of their nationality or their race. Pick pocketing can occur in crowded shopping areas, on trains, and at airports. Police reports must be filed before leaving Japan. Japanese police will not accept reports filed from overseas. If your credit card is stolen or used fraudulently, Japanese police usually give a report number instead of a full report.
Entertainment and nightlife districts in Tokyo
Exercise caution in all entertainment and nightlife districts throughout Japan, especially in: Roppongi Kabuki-cho Shibuya Ikebukuro Reports of incidents involving U.S. citizens at bars or clubs in these areas include physical and sexual assaults, drug overdoses, spiked drinks, and thefts (such as stolen purses, wallets, cash, and credit cards). Victims of spiked drinks sometimes regain consciousness in the bar or club; other victims may awaken on the street or other unfamiliar locations. U.S. citizens have reported being threatened with guns or knives in such venues. They are asked to pay excessive bar bills or withdraw money. U.S. citizens have also reported being beaten when they have refused to pay or hand over money. There have been reports of U.S. citizens being forced to take money out of ATMs or being robbed because they couldn’t pay large bar tabs.
Victims of crime
Police reports must be filed at the nearest police station prior to departure from Japan. The Japanese police cannot accept reports filed from overseas. Remember that local authorities are responsible for investigating and prosecuting the crime. Visit the Department of State and the FBI pages for information on scams. See Visit our webpage on help for U.S. victims of crime overseas . We can: Replace a stolen or lost passport. Help you find appropriate medical care. Assist you in reporting a crime to the police. Contact relatives or friends with your written consent. Provide general information about the victim’s role during local investigation and following its conclusion. Provide a list of local attorneys. We do not endorse or recommend any specific attorneys. Provide information on victim’s compensation programs in the United States .
Domestic violence
U.S. citizen victims of domestic violence are encouraged to contact the Embassy for assistance. Victim assistance and women’s shelters are available in major cities, but they’re hard for foreigners to access. Resources for victims are often not available in rural areas. Investigations of sexual assault crimes may be done without female police officers present. Police may ask about the victim's sexual history and previous relationships.
Tourism
The tourism industry is generally regulated. Rules with regards to general practices and safety inspections are regularly enforced. Dangerous areas and activities are marked with signs. Trained staff are usually there to help with organized activities. If someone gets hurt, they can usually get medical help anywhere in the country. In smaller cities, it might take longer for medical help to arrive and assist. U.S. citizens are encouraged to purchase medical evacuation insurance. See our webpage for more information on insurance providers for overseas coverage. Weather and Natural Disasters Top 3 weather events in Japan include: Typhoons : Strong storms with heavy rain and high winds. These typically occur from summer to fall. Earthquakes : Japan is located on the Pacific Ring of Fire. Earthquakes are common, sometimes causing damage, which can be severe.
About This Data
Homicide figures are intentional homicides per 100,000 people, compiled by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and published by the World Bank (indicator VC.IHR.PSRC.P5). Homicide is the most reliably comparable crime statistic across countries because definitions of other offences (assault, theft, robbery) vary widely between national legal systems and reporting practices.
Travel advisory levels are issued by the US Department of State and updated continuously. They reflect risks to travelers including crime, terrorism, civil unrest, health, and natural disasters — not only crime rates. Countries report crime data with different lags; the most recent available year is shown for each metric.
Japan Population & Demographics
Population of 123,975,371, growth trends, economy, and more.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Japan safe to visit?
The US State Department rates Japan at Level 1 of 4 (Exercise Normal Precautions). The homicide rate of 0.2 per 100,000 is among the lowest in the world.
What is the crime rate in Japan?
Japan has an intentional homicide rate of 0.2 per 100,000 people (2023, World Bank/UNODC), ranking #191 of 195 countries.
What is the US travel advisory level for Japan?
Japan is currently at Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions. Advisory levels range from Level 1 (Exercise Normal Precautions) to Level 4 (Do Not Travel).
How does crime in Japan compare to other countries?
Japan's homicide rate of 0.2 per 100,000 is below the world average of 5.2 and below the Asia average of 2.0.