Violent crime in Japan - statistics & facts
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According to the Penal Code enacted in 1907, violent crimes in Japan are categorized into felony offenses and violent offenses. Felonious offenses include homicide, robbery, arson, and rape, while violent offenses encompass bodily injury, assault (resulting in no physical or mental harm to the victim), intimidation, extortion, and assembly with dangerous weapons with intent. Felony offenders can be sentenced to one to 20 years of imprisonment with labor, an indefinite prison term with labor, or the death penalty. Punishment for violent offenses varies from fines of up to 500,000 Japanese yen to imprisonment with labor for up to 15 years. In 2023, three defendants received finalized death sentences, while 17 people were confirmed to be imprisoned with labor for an indefinite term.
Citizens who want to practice hunting can obtain licenses for rifles, shotguns, other hunting guns, and air guns after undergoing background and psychological checks, classroom lectures, technical training, and exams. All licenses expire after three years, and comparable procedures are repeated for the renewal. In 2023, approximately 178,140 guns were owned with permits by general citizens in Japan.
The impact of strict gun regulation is also reflected in the commonly used weapons in criminal cases reported in the nation. While cutlery such as kitchen knives and scissors were used in most cleared homicide cases, gun usage remained below one percent in 2023. The assassination of Shinzo Abe in 2022 highlighted Japan’s particularly small number of gun shootings and gun deaths. The fact that the suspect assassinated the ex-prime minister with a handmade gun ironically underlined the successful gun control in the nation and the extreme rarity of gun violence.
According to a survey conducted in October 2024, around 77 percent of Japanese citizens stated that security in the nation had worsened in the past decade. The police also acknowledged that the nation's crime pattern has certainly deteriorated since 2022. In particular, illegal acts associated with online websites and social media, such as investment fraud and robberies by online-formed anonymous organized groups, pose a serious threat to the nation's public security.
Gun control
The first gun legislation for civilians in Japan in the post-WWII era was introduced in 1946. The Act for Controlling the Possession of Firearms or Swords and Other Such Weapons was then enacted in 1958. This act prohibits ownership of firearms such as pistols, rifles, machine guns, cannons, hunting guns, and air guns, excluding licensed possession for duty, sports shooting, and hunting. Weapons like crossbows and swords with a length of 15 cm or longer are also outlawed under the act.Citizens who want to practice hunting can obtain licenses for rifles, shotguns, other hunting guns, and air guns after undergoing background and psychological checks, classroom lectures, technical training, and exams. All licenses expire after three years, and comparable procedures are repeated for the renewal. In 2023, approximately 178,140 guns were owned with permits by general citizens in Japan.
The impact of strict gun regulation is also reflected in the commonly used weapons in criminal cases reported in the nation. While cutlery such as kitchen knives and scissors were used in most cleared homicide cases, gun usage remained below one percent in 2023. The assassination of Shinzo Abe in 2022 highlighted Japan’s particularly small number of gun shootings and gun deaths. The fact that the suspect assassinated the ex-prime minister with a handmade gun ironically underlined the successful gun control in the nation and the extreme rarity of gun violence.
Increasing crime cases in Japan
The majority of crimes recorded in Japan are theft offenses. Among violent crimes, the most reported offenses are assaults and bodily injuries, followed by rapes and homicides. Approximately 24.3 assault cases and 0.7 murder offenses were recorded per 100,000 Japanese inhabitants in 2023. The overall number of both felonies and violent offenses has shown an upward trend recently after a decade of decreasing. The National Police Agency (NPA) of Japan suggests this is mainly attributed to a recovery in the flow of people post-COVID-19 pandemic.According to a survey conducted in October 2024, around 77 percent of Japanese citizens stated that security in the nation had worsened in the past decade. The police also acknowledged that the nation's crime pattern has certainly deteriorated since 2022. In particular, illegal acts associated with online websites and social media, such as investment fraud and robberies by online-formed anonymous organized groups, pose a serious threat to the nation's public security.
