Safety in Japan isn't automatic

One of the things many of us come to love about Japan is the sense of safety that comes with life here. Doors unlocked, bikes unattended, and bags left on cafe chairs are things I often do, and I think over time, that feeling can make you a little too comfortable. Some days, especially when I'm just stepping out briefly, I realize later that I never actually locked the door.

A recent incident in Nagaoka though was a reminder that even here, complacency can be risky. In the middle of the afternoon, a man broke into a house in a residential area and threatened a woman in her 70s with a knife. He stole around ¥40,000 in cash before fleeing, and while thankfully she wasn't physically injured, the psychological impact of something like that is hard to imagine. The incident happened near schools and other homes, not in some isolated or "dangerous" area.

Stories like this feel extra shocking (at least to me) when they happen, probably because they clash with the narrative many of us carry about Japan being uniformly safe. Compared to many countries, it absolutely is, but "comparatively safe" doesn't mean crime-free.

For me, this was a reminder to reset my habits, especially locking the door even during the day. Life in Japan offers an incredible level of everyday security, but it still pays to stay alert and not let familiarity dull common sense.

Are you like me and have gotten a bit complacent with general safety precautions during your years here?