Public Safety

Ｃｒｉｍｅ
Japan is a relatively safe country but you should always make sure to lock your doors and windows at night or when you are going out to keep prowlers out; also be alert during the day when you are at home. In addition, you should be careful against purse snatchers; it is recommended that you hold your bag away from the road when walking on the street. Always lock your bicycle securely. Cases of purse snatching, prank calls and sexual harassment are not uncommon, and women should be extra careful especially when walking on deserted streets at night.
The emergency number to call the police in Japan is 110. For information on reporting procedures, refer to Emergency

Police Boxes
A police box (koban) is a small police station that is located throughout the city. Police officers are on duty 24 hours a day to ensure the safety of the local community. Their main duties include giving directions, handling lost property, patrolling the community, and responding to reports on incidents or accidents. If you need to ask for directions or become involved in an accident or an incident, you can always call for help at your nearest police box.

Public Safety Consultation Center
Located inside the prefectural police headquarters, this center handles general inquiries including juvenile delinquency, drug abuse, driver’s license, proof of traffic accidents, driving history statements, and police station tours.
Police Safety Consultation Center Hotline: 092-641-9110
*For service in English, Chinese, or Korean: 092-641-4141(ext. 4763)

Lost Property
If you lose a personal item, please report it to your nearest police station or police box. In doing so, it is recommended that you first check with the police box closest to the area where you believe you lost the item, for it might have been turned in by someone already. If you lose a credit card or ATM card, please call your credit card company or issuing bank immediately. If you lose an inkan (personal seal) have a new one made, and make sure to change the inkan for registered documents such as your bank book.
Visit the following website to find more information about lost and found items.
*Fukuoka Prefectural Police, Lost and Found Search Site (Japanese only)

http://www.otoshimono-police.pref.fukuoka.lg.jp/

<Lost and Found Telephone Numbers>

*If you lose your alien registration card, please go through the renewal procedure within 14 days

Traffic Accident
In the event that you become involved in or witness a traffic accident, immediately dial “110” or notify the nearest police box even if it seems minor. If you are involved in the accident, write down the names of all other parties involved as well as their address, phone number, age, driver’s license number, car license number, insurance company’s name, and car insurance number. If there were any witnesses, obtain their name, address and telephone number as well. Even if your injury is only minor, make sure to receive proper care and a doctor’s note at a hospital.

<Traffic Accident Consultation Center>

*Local ward offices offer traffic-accident counseling services at their resident assistance counters.

Legal Consultations
In the case of being involved in matters that require legal knowledge, it may be necessary to seek the guidance of legal experts. Co-sponsored by the Fukuoka International Association and the Fukuoka Bar Association, Rainbow Plaza offers a free legal counseling service for foreign nationals twice a month, and an interpreter can also be provided upon request. The Fukuoka Bar Association also offers free legal consultations for foreign nationals (interpreters are also available upon request). For more information, please inquire noted below.

Rainbow Plaza : Free Legal Counseling for Foreigners
The Fukuoka Bar Association : Free Legal Consultation for Foreigners

*The Japanese legal system may be different from that of your home country. It would be recommended to contact your national embassy or consulate for more assistance.

Public Manners
In order to make everyone’s life more pleasant, Fukuoka City is promoting the improvement of public manners by implementing a set of new regulations for “Building a Friendly, Safe and Pleasant Fukuoka.”
Below is a list of main rules that must be obeyed at all times. Please be advised that disobedience of these rules may result in a penalty.

Smoking While Walking
Smoking while walking on public streets or while riding a bicycle is not only highly dangerous for pedestrians, but also forces them to breathe in unpleasant secondhand smoke. Smoking while walking or riding a bicycle is prohibited in all of Fukuoka City. An infraction, especially in the Tenjin or Hakata Station areas, can incur a fine of up to 20,000 yen.

Littering
Littering empty cans, glass bottles or plastic bottles in public areas is prohibited, since Fukuoka City is engaged in recycling activities. Do not throw out bottles and cans on the street; please take care to dispose of them in the appropriate collection areas. Also, make sure to separate your garbage correctly to facilitate recycling.

Illegally Parked Bicycles
Do not leave your bicycle unattended in no-parking zones, public spaces such as the side of the road, in front of train stations, parks, etc. Illegally parked bicycles will be removed to the city facility, and a fine of 2,000 yen will be imposed upon retrieving your bicycle.

Safe Driving
Cars and motorcycles must be driven on the left side of the road. When driving, observe traffic regulations, be aware of your surroundings, and drive safely and courteously. When riding a bicycle, be careful not to cause injury to pedestrians by avoiding collisions.

Parking Restrictions
Illegally parked cars in areas of high circulation block pedestrians and other drivers, and are a common cause of traffic accidents and congestion. Just because you are parking “only for a little while” does not mean you are entitled to do so illegally.

Natural Disasters
Fukuoka is relatively free from natural disasters, but floods can occur during the rainy season of June and July, and storms can occur during the typhoon season in summer and autumn. Earthquakes are not as common compared to the rest of the nation; however, as in the case of the major earthquake that hit Fukuoka in March 2005, you should always remain alert and take necessary precautions. Moreover, extra care should be taken when handling fire inside Japanese houses, since many of them are built of wood and can catch fire easily.

Be prepared for an emergency by taking the following precautions.

Fukuoka Citizens’ Disaster Prevention Center
The Fukuoka Citizens' Disaster Prevention Center (Bosai Center) is a place where you can learn more about disasters and their precautionary measures. It has facilities that simulate earthquakes and violent wind conditions, and educational areas where visitors can practice fire-fighting, CPR, and practical techniques for protecting against disasters. The center also sells disaster-prevention equipment, emergency food supplies, emergency supplies, and emergency related publications.

Tel: 092-847-5990 （1-3-3, Momochihama, Sawara-ku, Fukuoka）
http://www.fuku-bou.or.jp/

<Disaster Information Line>
◇Fukuoka City Disaster Information Line
Tel: 0180-99-9595

◇Fukuoka City Disaster/Crisis Management Information
http://bousai.city.fukuoka.lg.jp/

◇For mobile phones
http://bousai.city.fukuoka.lg.jp/i

◇Fukuoka Prefecture Disaster Prevention E-Mail Service “Mamoru”
http://www.bousaimobile.pref.fukuoka.lg.jp/
http://www.bousaimobile.pref.fukuoka.lg.jp/en/

◇Foreign-language radio information
Love FM （76.1MHz; in Western Fukukoka: 82.5MHz; in Kitakyushu: 82.7MHz）
http://lovefm.co.jp/

Fire
Shout "kaji da! (fire!)" when you detect a fire and alert your neighbors. If you are near a telephone, immediately dial 119 (refer to emergency on how to report a fire). If you don't have a fire extinguisher, use any tool to splash water to prevent the further spread of fire. For oil fires, do not use liquids. Instead, pour something powdery on the flames, or wet a bed sheet or towel to smother the fire. Smoke from a burning house may contain toxic substances, so cover your nose and mouth with a wet towel and stay as low to the ground as possible when evacuating. Fires may break out during or after an earthquake. Gas pipes may also break during an earthquake, so evacuate the area immediately if you smell gas.

Fire Extinguishers
The Fukuoka Citizens’ Disaster Prevention Center has fire extinguishers available for sale, and can provide information on other places to purchase one.

Typhoons
Typhoons are often accompanied by strong winds which can blow away bricks, branches, and signs. It is safer to remain indoors, so try to stay inside as much as possible. In addition, stay away from unprotected windows during a typhoon as they may shatter and fly into your house. If you have storm windows or shutters, close them in advance. As heavy rain may also accompany typhoons, be prepared for the possibility of flooding, especially if your home is in a low-lying area or near a river. Once the roads start to flood, avoid using the subway or entering underground shopping areas and basement floors.

Earthquakes
While Fukuoka is relatively free from earthquakes, there is still a possibility that another powerful earthquake such as the “Fukuoka Prefecture Western Offshore Earthquakes” (March 20, 2005) may occur in the future, and it is a good idea to take some basic precautions. Make mental notes of dangerous and safe places in your house, and possible escape routes for dangerous situations. Elementary schools, junior high schools and community centers are designated as community-based emergency evacuation centers. Make sure you know where the closest one to your home is, and evacuate there as needed.