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Is Japan safe? 🇯🇵

Asia · Updated

As of October 2026, Japan scores 94/100 on the IsMyTripSafe safety index — verdict: yes — very safe. The U.S. State Department rates Japan Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions. Of the 21 Japan destinations assessed, Hiroshima scores highest (95/100), while Osaka scores lowest (89/100).

Safety Report

IsMyTripSafe.com

Japan 🇯🇵

Japan · Assessed 13 October 2026

94

/ 100

Yes — very safe

Safer than ~98% of countries

What drives this score

Crime92/100GoodCrime index 22.2 / 100
Sentiment89/100GoodVery positive
Advisories100Good
Stability89Good
Health87Good

01 · Official Guidance

Advisories

Good

U.S. Department of State

Level 1

Exercise Normal Precautions

“Exercise normal precautionin Japan. U.S.”

Updated Thu, 15 May 2025

Full advisory →

UK Foreign Office (FCDO)

Level 1

No advisory against travel

“Global travel impacts due to escalation in the Middle East Escalation in the Middle East has caused widespread travel disruption, including airspace closures, delayed and cancelled flights. Your travel plans may be affected, even if your destination is not in the Middle East.”

Updated 2026-10-07T10:45:59Z

Full advisory →

Government of Canada

Level 1

Exercise normal security precautions

“Canada's official risk level for Japan: exercise normal security precautions.”

Updated 2026-10-09T11:26:08.7337171-04:00

Full advisory →

02 · Evidence Signals

Crime

Good

Crime index (crowdsourced)

22.2 / 100
86

City SignalNumbeo Crime Index

Homicide rate

0.2 / 100kHomicide rate · per 100kJapan0.2Switzerland0.6World avg5.2United States5.8Brazil19.3South Africa43.7
100

Country BaselineWorld Bank Open Data · 2023

Feel safe walking alone after dark

81.7%
86

Country BaselineUN SDG Global Database · 2024

Physical assault (past year)

No data
—

Country BaselineUN SDG Global Database

Robbery / mugging

Low

Armed robbery against visitors is extremely rare; incidents are typically isolated and not concentrated in specific areas.

Pickpocketing

Moderate

Pickpocketing and bag-snatching occur in crowded areas such as Tokyo's Shinjuku and Shibuya stations, especially during rush hour.

▸ 2 more indicators

Detected human-trafficking victims

0.01 / 100k
92

Country BaselineUN SDG Global Database · 2024

Bribery during public-official contact

2.0%
96

Country BaselineUN SDG Global Database · 2020

03 · Environment

Health & Air

Good

Air quality

US AQI 89 · Moderate

Open-Meteo Air Quality

Hospitals

126 beds / 10k · country avg

WHO Global Health Observatory

Weather

October: highs ~23°C · strong winds, wet spell

Open-Meteo

Road safety

2.7 / 100k

WHO Global Health Observatory

Natural hazards

No active alerts · 42 quakes ≥M4.5 past yr
76

Country BaselineGDACS / USGS

CDC travel health notices · none for this destination

Worldwide notices (not specific to this trip): Polio, Dengue, Measles

04 · Institutions

Stability

Good

Political stability & no terrorism

88/100
88

Country BaselineWorld Bank Governance Indicators · 2025

Terrorism deaths (latest year)

0 recorded
100

Country BaselineGlobal Terrorism Database · 2021

Rule of law

84/100
84

Country BaselineWorld Bank Governance Indicators · 2025

Control of corruption

77/100
77

Country BaselineWorld Bank Governance Indicators · 2025

▸ 3 more indicators

Government effectiveness

94/100
94

Country BaselineWorld Bank Governance Indicators · 2025

Regulatory quality

77/100
77

Country BaselineWorld Bank Governance Indicators · 2025

Voice & accountability

78/100
78

Country BaselineWorld Bank Governance Indicators · 2025

05 · Field Research

Current Situation

Stable

Traveller sentiment score

Very positive

89/100

Reported feel90Very positive
Robbery risk92Low risk
Pickpocket risk78Moderate risk

Visitors consistently report feeling very safe walking alone at night and using public transport, with high confidence in personal security across cities.

Yes. Japan is one of the safest countries in the world for visitors, with extremely low violent crime and strong public safety infrastructure.

Japan maintains exceptionally low crime rates, with a homicide rate of 0.2 per 100k and terrorism deaths at zero. While petty theft like pickpocketing can occur in crowded urban areas and on public transport, violent crime against tourists is rare. The country's disaster preparedness is robust, though seismic activity and typhoons require seasonal awareness.

Recent developments

  • Oct 2026A U.S. Marine was arrested in Okinawa in connection with the killing of a local woman, sparking protests and heightened tensions around U.S. base presence— PBS
  • Oct 2026Okinawan residents expressed fear and frustration following the arrest of a U.S. Marine in a murder case, leading to public outcry and demands for accountability— Japan Today
  • Sep 2026Tourist arrivals from mainland China to Japan dropped 59% in August due to regional tensions and travel hesitancy— Global Times
  • Jul 2026A 6.8 magnitude earthquake prompted safety reviews and travel advisories, though no major casualties were reported— Time Out Worldwide

Common scams

  • Fake ticket vendors near major attractions
  • Unlicensed taxi drivers overcharging foreigners
  • ATM skimming in busy districts
Which areas are safe? District-by-district ratings are on the Safety Map→

Full briefing

Japan remains exceptionally safe for travelers, with violent crime virtually unheard of in tourist areas. The recent arrest of a U.S. Marine in Okinawa over the alleged killing of a local woman has drawn significant local outrage and media attention, though this incident is isolated to military-related tensions and does not reflect broader risks to civilians or visitors. Petty crime like pickpocketing does occur in major transit hubs such as Shinjuku and Shibuya stations in Tokyo, particularly during peak hours, so keeping bags zipped and valuables out of sight is advisable. While natural hazards like earthquakes and typhoons are part of life in Japan, the country’s early warning systems and infrastructure resilience are among the best globally. Travelers should stay informed during typhoon season and follow local guidance if seismic alerts are issued, but day-to-day safety concerns are minimal. Overall, Japan’s combination of low crime, effective governance, and high public trust makes it a secure destination for international visitors.

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IsMyTripSafe.com

Not legal or medical advice

Report generated 13 October 2026

Sources: U.S. State Dept · UK FCDO · World Bank · WGI · UNODC · WHO · UN SDG · Global Terrorism Database · Numbeo · OpenStreetMap · Open-Meteo · CDC. Composite index recomputed at request time.

Links:

06 · Destinations

Japan destinations by safety score

21 assessed
#1🇯🇵HiroshimaVery Safe · updated 13 October 202695#2🇯🇵NaraVery Safe · updated 13 October 202695#3🇯🇵BeppuVery Safe · updated 13 October 202695#4🇯🇵TakayamaVery Safe · updated 13 October 202695#5🇯🇵NikkōVery Safe · updated 13 October 202695#6🇯🇵HakoneVery Safe · updated 13 October 202694#7🇯🇵KanazawaVery Safe · updated 13 October 202694#8🇯🇵SendaiVery Safe · updated 13 October 202694#9🇯🇵MatsumotoVery Safe · updated 13 October 202694#10🇯🇵OkinawaVery Safe · updated 3 October 202694#11🇯🇵KumamotoVery Safe · updated 13 October 202693#12🇯🇵NagasakiVery Safe · updated 13 October 202693#13🇯🇵KyotoVery Safe · updated 13 October 202693#14🇯🇵SapporoVery Safe · updated 13 October 202692#15🇯🇵Sony Music Entertainment JapanVery Safe · updated 28 July 202692#16🇯🇵YokohamaVery Safe · updated 13 October 202691#17🇯🇵FukuokaVery Safe · updated 5 October 202691#18🇯🇵KobeVery Safe · updated 3 October 202691#19🇯🇵NagoyaVery Safe · updated 13 October 202690#20🇯🇵TokyoVery Safe · updated 18 October 202689#21🇯🇵OsakaVery Safe · updated 3 October 202689

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07 · Questions

Japan safety FAQ

Is Japan safe to visit right now?

The U.S. State Department currently rates Japan Level 1 of 4 — Exercise Normal Precautions. On our composite index Japan scores 94/100. See the destination reports above for city-level detail. (Updated 18 October 2026.)

What is the safest place to visit in Japan?

Of the destinations we've assessed, Hiroshima currently scores highest at 95/100 (Very Safe). Osaka scores lowest at 89/100.

Where does this Japan safety data come from?

Directly from public sources: US, UK and Canadian government advisories, World Bank and UNODC crime statistics, WHO health data, live air-quality, disaster and earthquake feeds — plus AI field research over current local reporting. Read the full methodology.

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