Travel Safety in Japan

Japan is generally safe. Petty street crime is the primary risk to foreign visitors. Although infrequent, visitors have fallen victim to bag-snatching and pickpocketing in crowded public places. While violent crime is rare, drink-spiking and subsequent sexual assaults is a concern for female travellers.

Protests occur on occasion in Japan’s major cities but generally conclude without violence or disruption.

Japan is party to several conflict-related issues, including various territorial disputes and tense bilateral relations with Russia, China and South Korea. These issues are unlikely to have a significant impact on foreign travellers.

Currently, there is no significant risk of kidnapping, terrorism or civil unrest in Japan.

The country is at risk, however, of a number of natural hazards including earthquakes, tsunamis and typhoons. Such events can have long-standing effects on infrastructure in the country as noted by the 2011 earthquake and tsunami which has caused ongoing radioactive emissions at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant, located in the Fukushima prefecture.

Medical facilities are of a high standard across Japan.