Security in Tokyo | The Attaché Desk

For information only. This guide is an editorial orientation resource. It does not constitute security advice and does not replace the guidance of your mission’s or organisation’s security officer. Security situations change; the information here reflects publicly available sources as of the reviewed date. Always follow your mission’s or organisation’s current security procedures.

Overview

Tokyo is consistently ranked among the safest large cities in the world. The US OSAC Japan Country Security Report (2025) describes petty crime as occurring but “seldom.” Base Operations assessed Tokyo’s crime score at 20/100 (Tier 1: Minimal) in 2025. For diplomatic staff, the security calculus in Tokyo is materially different from any other city in this guide: the principal practical risks are entertainment district hazards, an emerging organised crime pattern (tokuryū), and Japan’s persistent earthquake environment, not organised terrorism.

Terrorism and the threat framework

Japan does not publish a terrorism threat level on a public scale equivalent to the UK’s SEVERE/CRITICAL or France’s Vigipirate. The US State Department’s Travel Advisory for Japan is Level 1 (Exercise Normal Precautions), the lowest category.

Japan’s MOFA is actively engaged in multilateral counterterrorism: Japan-France Counter-Terrorism Consultations were held in April 2025 and again in April 2026, and Japan participated in the Quad Counterterrorism Working Group in December 2025. Japan’s National Police Agency operates specialist counterterrorism units, and the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department’s Public Security Bureau has dedicated counterterrorism investigation capacity. In September 2025, a lone assailant stabbed a uniformed police officer approximately one block from the US Embassy in Tokyo before being arrested. This is a reminder that isolated violent incidents can occur even in the safest environments.

The MOFA’s official position is that Japan remains a target of international terrorism but has not experienced a major attack in decades.

Tokuryū: an emerging organised crime pattern

Japan’s National Police Agency took action against 12,178 people over crimes related to tokuryū (匿名・流動型犯罪グループ, anonymous and transient crime groups) in 2025, an increase of over 2,000 from 2024. These groups are organised through social media, operate anonymously, and carry out robberies, fraud and other crimes using recruited individuals who may not know each other.

The NPA’s 2026 report identifies connections between tokuryū groups and traditional organised crime syndicates. This is a domestic crime phenomenon rather than a terrorism concern, but the scale and growth of these groups is the most significant current shift in Tokyo’s crime landscape. Diplomatic staff are not a primary target, but residential security awareness is appropriate.

Entertainment district risks

The US OSAC report (2025) explicitly flags specific entertainment areas in Tokyo where risks for foreign residents and visitors are elevated:

Roppongi: physical and sexual assaults; drink spiking; theft of wallets, cash and credit cards at bars and clubs; drug-related incidents. This area is popular with foreign visitors and expatriates and is where the majority of crime incidents involving foreigners in Tokyo occur.
Kabuki-cho (Shinjuku): similar pattern to Roppongi; Japan’s largest entertainment district, with a higher density of hostess clubs and nightlife venues
Shibuya and Ikebukuro: similar concerns in after-hours bar districts

Standard precautions apply in these areas: do not accept drinks from strangers, maintain awareness of your companions, and do not leave valuables unattended. These areas are safe for daytime visits; the elevated risk is concentrated in late-night club environments.

Earthquake preparedness

Japan sits on the junction of four tectonic plates and is one of the most seismically active countries in the world. Tokyo is in a high earthquake risk zone, and residents should treat earthquake preparedness as a routine priority rather than a remote contingency.

Practical steps for newly arrived diplomatic staff:

Register with Japan’s J-Alert emergency broadcast system and the Tokyo Metropolitan Government’s disaster information service
Download the Safety Tips app from the Japan Tourism Agency, which provides multilingual real-time disaster alerts
Confirm earthquake safety procedures with your mission, including designated shelter-in-place and evacuation assembly points
Maintain a household emergency kit: water (3 litres per person per day for at least three days), emergency rations, a battery radio and a first aid kit
Note: earthquakes in Tokyo are experienced regularly at low magnitudes; do not be alarmed by minor tremors, but know the procedures for significant events

The Great East Japan Earthquake of March 2011 (magnitude 9.1) caused significant disruption in Tokyo despite being centred approximately 370 kilometres away. Japan’s building codes and disaster response infrastructure are world-class, but the interruption to public transport, communications and normal life was substantial for several days.

Drug laws

Japan maintains extremely strict drug laws. Foreigners found in possession of illegal narcotics face criminal charges and, on conviction, are permanently banned from re-entering Japan. Diplomatic immunity does not shield personal conduct from Japanese law in any non-immunity context. This point is worth being clear about with all mission staff.

Japan’s political context (2025-26)

General elections were held in Japan in October 2025. Sanae Takaichi was elected Prime Minister, becoming Japan’s first female head of government. Demonstrations and civil unrest are very rare in Japan and require official permits. The US Mission in Japan experiences small-scale demonstrations periodically, usually peaceful and related to historical grievances or current US policy; these are closely monitored by Japanese law enforcement.

Emergency contacts in Japan

Number	Service
110	Police (Keisatsu). Note: NOT 112
119	Fire and ambulance (Shōbōchō/Kyūkyū)
#7119	Non-emergency medical consultation (Tokyo)

The police emergency number in Japan is 110, not 112. The 112 European standard does not apply in Japan.

For earthquake and disaster alerts in real time: Safety Tips app (Japan Tourism Agency, multilingual).

Official sources

Last reviewed 7 July 2026.