Laws in Japan

The Constitution

Japan's Constitution was formed in 1946. It provides certain fundamental rights, including the right to "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness" as well as the right to not be discriminated against because of one's "race, creed, sex, social status or family origin."

The Constitution also provides Japan with a parliamentary democracy. It was drawn up with the Allied Powers after World War II.


Laws

Laws in Japan must be passed by both houses of the Diet. For the most part, Japanese laws are comparable to those in other industrial countries, but foreign travelers should be aware of the following:

- All visitors are subject to the laws of Japan.
- Some laws, including punishment for drug offenses, can be far stricter than those of your home country.
- A suspect can be held for 23 days before being formally charged with a crime.
- To work in Japan, you must secure the proper visa before starting. Failure to do so could lead to your deportation.
- There are limits to the amount of money you can take out of Japan when you leave.

Otherwise, use common sense when traveling in Japan. And always carry your passport on you during your trip.


The Neighborhood Police Box

Soon after one moves into a new home or apartment in Japan, there will be a knock on the door from the neighborhood police. It's a courtesy call and a get-to-know-you session that is a keystone to Japan's elaborate koban system. The koban, or police box, system is a country-wide network of small police boxes placed in neighborhoods to give police a better chance of getting to know their territory. In residential settings, it is quite common to see police riding bicycles or walking through the street.

The good police know their beat. An officer may stop by the park to talk to the homeless people there. He or she will be on friendly terms with the neighbors. And a good koban is a wealth of information for a lost tourist. Every koban has detailed maps of the neighborhood, and the police, while by no means fluent in other languages, are usually patient and helpful.

The system has its quirks, however, and sometimes, the constant presence of police is a little off-putting. Over-zealous cops often make foreigners show their ID cards or passports when they ask a question (which is why it's good to have your passport on you), and if you want to be a good Samaritan and return a lost wallet, for example, get ready for reams of paperwork as your reward.

But generally speaking Japan's koban system works better than most police systems and is like a lighthouse for lost tourists trying to find their way.