The Japanese police force is finely trained group of men and women (mostly men) ready for action at a moments notice!
Above: Police academy cadets dream of a future in law enforcement.
But with one of the lowest crime rates in the world, those moments of action are few and far between.
Above: Japanese Shoplifters: Slow, but hard to detect.
This leaves them ample time to do things like:
Give the citizenry helpful directions.
Above: Officer Suzuki informs two women that flying over the building is much faster than walking.
Kneeling down to talk to lost children.
Above: Officer Saito kneels down to talk to a lost child.
Pose on their fancy motorbikes.
Above: Sergeant Watanabe poses on his super-sweet ride and awaits his first chance to ride it.
Now, on the rare occasion of a serious crime, such as a traffic violation, or bicycle theft, the Tokyo police are ready to roll in style.
Don’t let the size fool you! The plug-in Eco-Cruiser is intimidating to both petty criminals and global warming.
Above: The Eco-Cruiser: ready to put it’s carbon footprint up the ass of crime.
When you need help, it’s never hard to find the police in Japan. The “Koban” system puts 3-4 police officers into small, local offices, rather than big central precincts. So if you are being chased by a monster, ninja, or train-zombie, all you have to do is look for this adorable sign.
Above: Koban Police sign featuring Pipo-Kun.
What is that cute character doing on the sign of a police station you ask? Well, the police are a team, and every good team needs a mascot. Pipo-kun, (pee-poh-koon) is the mascot of the Tokyo Police.
Above: Adorable, helpful, and quick on the trigger, Pipo-Kun is the anime-embodiment of everything the police of Japan strive to represent.
The life of a Tokyo cop isn’t all smooth sailing though. Occasionally, foreigners come to Japan and misunderstand the rules. Like, for example, the rule that states you cannot take off your clothes and swim in the moat of the Imperial Palace of the Emperor.
Above: A British man mistook the Imperial Palace moat for a relaxing hot spring.
That’s when the J-Cops are forced to use force! They will employ the use of sticks, nets, and even batons, but use of a gun or Taser is almost unheard of. Like many things in Japan, the traditional way is preferable, and much more entertaining, even when less effective.
So, if you visit Japan, feel free to drop in any of the local kobans to ask for directions, local restaurant recommendations, or even to play the arcade games available to help you pass the time while lost.
Above: Lost children enjoy playing an arcade game while waiting to be picked up from the local Koban.
But please follow the rules lest you unleash the wrath of Pipo-kun.
Above: Pipo-kun drinks the blood of the non-believers.
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