Koban (Police Box)

In Japan, there are small police stations on local street corners called koban, where police officers are stationed. These police boxes serve as mini police stations which police officers use as a base for community patrols, and where officers handle reports of crime, runaways and lost items as well as offering various services such as giving directions.

●Police Stations in Shinjuku City
○Ushigome Police Station
Address: 1-15 Minami-Yamabushi-cho, Shinjuku-ku
Tel: 03-3269-0110
○Shinjuku Police Station
Address: 6-1-1 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku
Tel: 03-3346-0110
○Totsuka Police Station
Address: 3-30-13 Nishi-Waseda, Shinjuku-ku
Tel: 03-3207-0110
○Yotsuya Police Station
Tel: 03-3357-0110
Address: 6-5 Samon-cho, Shinjuku-ku

To Avoid Becoming a Victim of Crime

●Beware of Prowlers!
About sixty percent of prowlers break into homes through unlocked windows or doors. Many of them will break windows to gain entrance as well.
○ Whether you are at home or away, make sure all your doors and windows are locked.
○ Install auxiliary locks and anti-crime windows in your home.

●Beware of Purse-Snatchers
There has been an increasing number in the cases of purse-snatching. Many purse-snatchers commit the crime while riding motorcycles or bicycles, and they seem to particularly target women and the elderly.
○Carry your purse with both hands close to your chest, or carry your bag on the side that is closest to buildings (away from the road).
○Do not place valuables in the basket of your bicycle; alternatively, attach a purse-snatching preventative net over your basket.
○Do not walk in areas where there are few people.

If You Become the Victim of a Crime

As soon as you discover that your home has been burglarized, report to the police either by calling or going directly to the local police box or station. When your bank passbooks and credit cards have been stolen, you should also report to the banks and credit card companies.

●If You Become the Victim of Purse-Snatching
○Check the license plate number of the motorcycle of the purse-snatcher. Remember such special characteristics as the type of vehicle and its color, etc.
○Ask for help from people nearby and report the incident by dialing 110 immediately.
○Do not try to catch the thief (he/she may have a weapon).

●If You Forget or Lose Your Belongings
If you have left your belongings on the train or bus, contact the station office; if you have dropped something on the street or some other public area, contact the police station.
Items that are found and brought to the police are stored for a designated period, after which they are taken to the Lost and Found Center.
Inquiries: Police Department Lost and Found Center
Address: 1-9-11 Koraku, Bunkyo-ku
Tel: 0570-550-142

●If You Are Involved in a Traffic Accident
If you are involved in a traffic accident, report the incident to the police no matter how minor it may be. When you do, ask for an ambulance if anyone is injured. Although you may not look injured, or even if the injury is minor, after effects may occur later. So, if any part of your body has been hit, or if you have been injured, go to a hospital and undergo an examination by a physician.
Obtain the following information on the other party involved in the accident:
1.Write down the license plate number of the car.
2.Write down the driver’s name, address, age, and contact number.
3.Write down the name of the car insurance company and membership number.
4.If there are witnesses, you must also ask for their names and addresses.

April 1, 2023