Published: December 5, 2025
This report is intended to supplement the U.S. Department of State Japan Travel Advisory and Japan International Travel Information Page.
Embassy & Consulate Contact Information
U.S. Embassy Tokyo:
1-10-5 Akasaka, Minato-Ku, Tokyo 107-8420.
Tel: +81-3-3224-5000. Hours: 0830 – 1730, Mon-Fri.
U.S. Consulate General Osaka-Kobe:
2-11-5 Nishitenma, Kita-ku, Osaka 530-8543.
Tel: +81-06-6315-5900.
U.S. Consulate General Sapporo:
3 Kita 1-jo Nishi 28-chome, Chuo-ku, Sapporo 064-0821.
Tel: +81-11-641-1115.
U.S. Consulate Fukuoka:
2 Chome-5-26 Ohori, Chuo Ward, Fukuoka, 810-0052.
Tel: +81-092-751-9331.
U.S. Consulate Nagoya:
1 Chome-47-1 Nagono, Nakamura Ward, Nagoya, Aichi 450-0001.
Tel: +81-52-581-4501.
U.S. Consulate General Naha:
2-1-1 Toyama, Urasoe City, Okinawa.
Tel: +81-098-876-4211.
OSAC Country Chapter(s)
There is an active chapter in Tokyo and a country chapter expected in Osaka in 2026.
Contact OSAC’s Asia Team with any questions.
Japan Travel Advisory
The current U.S. Department of State Travel Advisory at the date of this report’s publication assesses that travelers should exercise normal precautions in Japan.
Crime
The U.S. Department of State has assessed Tokyo, Osaka/Kobe, Sapporo, Fukuoka, Nagoya, Naha/Okinawa as being a LOW-threat location for crime directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests.
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Crime “C” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Japan.
The crime emergency line in Japan is 110.
Crime: General Threat
The crime rate in Japan is generally well below the U.S. national average. Crimes targeting foreigners are seldom, and most crime involves personal disputes, theft, or vandalism. In crowded areas, including shopping areas, trains, and airports, pickpocketing can occur. Drink spiking also occurs, after which victims can be robbed. Sexual assaults are not often reported, but they do occur, and victims may be randomly targeted. Victim's assistance resources or shelters are difficult for foreigners to access. Police reports must be filed before leaving Japan, as Japanese police will not accept reports filed from overseas.
Hate-related violent crimes rarely occur, though some U.S. citizens have reported being the target of discrimination because of their race or nationality.
Lone-assailant attacks also occur in Japan, the most notable of which involved the assassination of former prime minister Shinzo Abe in July 2022. More recent lone wolf attacks include the attempted assassination of then-PM Fumio Kishida in April 2023 and an October 2024 attack on the Liberal Democratic Party’s headquarters and the Prime Minister’s Office, known in Japan as the Kantei.
In 2025, a lone assailant stabbed a uniformed police officer before being arrested approximately one block from the U.S. Embassy.
Review OSAC’s report, Lone-Assailant Trends in Japan.
Crime: Areas of Concern
Pickpocketing and other petty crimes can but seldom occur in Japan. Illicit narcotics trade and prostitution occur throughout many of Japan’s after-hours bar districts, but these activities are largely discreet in nature. Japanese society considers these “victimless crimes,” however foreigners caught with illegal narcotics are banned from ever entering Japan again if they are not formally prosecuted.
Exercise caution in all entertainment and nightlife districts throughout Japan, especially Roppongi, Kabuki-cho, Shibuya, and Ikebukuro. In entertainment and nightlife areas in Tokyo—including Roppongi, Kabuki-cho, Shibuya, and Ikebukuro—physical and sexual assaults; drug overdoses; theft of purses, wallets, cash and credit cards at bars or clubs; and drugs being slipped into drinks have occurred.
Drink spiking at bars and entertainment venues, especially in areas such as Roppongi and Kabuki-cho, near Shinjuku, has led to robbery, physical and sexual assaults, and credit card fraud. Some victims regain consciousness in the bar or club; other victims may awaken on the street or other unfamiliar locations. U.S. citizens have reported being threatened with gun or knife violence in such venues so that they will pay exorbitant bar tabs or withdraw money. U.S. citizens have also reported being beaten when they have refused to pay or hand over money. There have been reports of U.S. citizens being forcibly taken to ATMs and robbed or made to withdraw funds after being unable to pay exorbitant bar tabs. Roppongi, Kabuki-cho, and other entertainment and nightlife districts have also been the scenes of violence between criminal syndicates.
Review OSAC’s reports, All That You Should Leave Behind, Hotels: The Inns and Outs, Considerations for Hotel Security, Taking Credit, and Our Two Cents: Petty Crime Basics and How to Minimize the Risk.
Kidnapping Threat
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Kidnapping “K” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Japan.
Kidnappings, especially those targeting foreigners, are nearly non-existent in Japan.
Review OSAC’s reports, Kidnapping: The Basics and Active Shooter and Kidnapping Response Tips.
Terrorism
The U.S. Department of State has assessed Tokyo, Osaka/Kobe, Sapporo, Fukuoka, Nagoya, Naha/Okinawa as being a LOW-threat location for terrorism directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests.
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Terrorism “T” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Japan.
There are no widely prevalent indigenous terrorist organizations in Japan, which is not a known base of support or sympathy for terrorists. It is nearly impossible to acquire firearms and/or explosives in Japan, as both are strictly regulated and available only to government entities.
While Japan has not experienced any incidents related to international terrorism in the last decade, travelers should maintain a high level of vigilance and practice good situational awareness abroad.
Political Violence and Civil Unrest
The U.S. Department of State has assessed Tokyo, Osaka/Kobe, Sapporo, Fukuoka, Nagoya, Naha/Okinawa as being a LOW-threat location for political violence directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests.
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Civil Unrest “U” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Japan. Civil unrest can develop quickly without prior notice, often interrupting logistics and services. Avoid demonstration activity, as even those planned to remain peaceful have the potential to turn violent.
Elections/Political Stability
Japan is one of Asia’s oldest democracies and fully employs the institutions and norms of representative democracy: free and fair elections, rule of law, full civil rights, and freedom of the press.
General elections were held in Japan in October 2025; Sanae Takaichi won, becoming Japan’s first female prime minister.
Protests & Demonstrations
Violent demonstrations and acts of civil unrest are very rare in Japan. Most protests are peaceful and require a government application and an official permit. The U.S Mission in Japan, spanning the Embassy in Tokyo and five other constituent posts in Naha, Nagoya, Osaka-Kobe, Fukuoka, and Sapporo, frequently experience small-scale demonstrations, usually in response to historical grievances and/or current U.S. policies. However, these demonstrations usually occur without incident and prompt close monitoring by Japan’s law enforcement and security services. The police closely monitor demonstrations and inform the Regional Security Office at the U.S. Embassy about planned protests and whether they expect disruptions.
Review OSAC’s report, Surviving a Protest.
Anti-U.S./Anti-Western Sentiment
More than 25,000 U.S. military personnel are stationed on the island of Okinawa, in the far south of Japan with close to 70,000 U.S. service members stationed nationwide. Anti-U.S. sentiment is commonly expressed within base-hosting communities if/when a servicemember may be involved in an alleged crime involving a Japanese national – especially if there is death, bodily injury, and/or property damage.
Law Enforcement
Japan’s police system is composed of the National Police Agency (NPA) which directs all law enforcement and security operations across Japan’s 47 prefectures. Each prefecture maintains its own standing police force, of which the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department is the largest with over 50,000 officers. The NPA is responsible for the administration of police services. Prefectural Police Departments maintain a regional responsibility, conducting investigations and first response to emergencies. The City Police provide police services at a more local level.
The National Public Safety Commission, a cabinet-level entity, oversees the NPA, and prefectural public safety commissions have responsibility for local police forces. Civilian authorities maintain effective control over the security forces. The government took credible steps to identify and punish officials who committed human rights abuses.
Police Response
Police are generally professional, well-trained, and provide travelers with assistance. Those in need of emergency services should be able to describe their address and location in Japanese or find someone who can do so, since few police officers speak English.
Some victims have reported that police procedures appear to be less sensitive and less responsive to victims’ concerns than similar procedures in the U.S., particularly in cases of domestic violence, sexual assault, and in instances when the victim and the perpetrator are foreigners. Investigations of sexual assault often occur without a female police officer present, and the police typically inquire about the victim’s sexual history and previous relationships.
Transportation Security
Road Safety
Driving in Japan can be complicated and expensive. Highway tolls can be very high. City traffic is often very congested. In mountainous areas, roads often close during the winter, and cars should have tire chains. Roads in Japan are much narrower than in the United States. Those who cannot read Japanese will have difficulty understanding road signs.
Traffic moves on the left in Japan and vehicles are right-side drive. Visitors, especially those from countries where traffic moves on the right, should take care when walking or driving throughout Japan. Road conditions and road safety standards generally meet or exceed U.S standards, except in the most remote areas or islands. Roads are well-maintained, with extensive lighting. Bicycles have the right of way and are prolific throughout Japan. Traffic enforcement includes the extensive use of cameras. Turning on red lights is not legal. All passengers are required to fasten their seat belts.
Japan has a zero-tolerance policy regarding driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs, with the blood-alcohol-level standard for driving set at 0.03; penalties can be severe and drivers stopped for driving under the influence of intoxicants will have their licenses confiscated. Once under arrest, a subject can expect to remain in police custody for up to 23 days while the police investigate. There may also be additional fines or jail time imposed during sentencing. If you are found guilty of driving under the influence, speeding, or blatantly careless driving resulting in injury, you are subject to up to 15 years in prison.
Japanese law provides that all drivers in Japan are liable in the event of an accident and assesses fault in an accident on all parties. Japanese compulsory insurance (JCI) is mandatory for all automobile owners and drivers in Japan. Most short-term visitors choose not to drive in Japan. The NPA oversees the administration and enforcement of traffic laws in Japan.
Review OSAC’s reports, Road Safety Abroad, Driving Overseas: Best Practices, and Evasive Driving Techniques; and read the U.S. Department of State’s webpage on driving and road safety abroad.
Public Transportation Safety
Public transportation throughout Japan is excellent in terms of efficiency and safety. The railway system is composed of a combination of subways, local trains, and high-speed inter-city trains.
Crimes victimizing women (Japanese and foreigners alike) on crowded subway trains have been highlighted in the media, but authorities have taken steps to mitigate these kinds of incidents. Men groping female passengers or taking lewd photos of women, specifically targeting those wearing skirts or dresses, are the most common types of such crime. In some instances, when a woman calls out someone committing a lewd act against her, jostling or a physical fight may ensue. Because of the prevalence of these female-focused crimes, Japanese authorities have designated certain cars as “women only” during crowded rush hours.
Aviation Concerns
Japan is rated Category 1 in FAA's International Aviation Safety Assessment Program (IASA).
Review OSAC’s Report, Security in Transit: Airplanes, Public Transport, and Overnights; and consider the European Union Air Safety List.
Maritime Security
The security of Japan’s maritime borders is a top priority for the country’s government. The roles of the Japan Coast Guard and the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force are paramount in these security operations as Japan navigates an international landscape in the East China Sea complicated by an emboldened China.
The 2019 National Defense Program Guidelines (NDPG) touch upon maritime security. The Guidelines explain that, because Japan is an island nation, it heavily depends on energy and food imports and maritime security is essential to its peace and prosperity. The Guidelines also discuss gray zone situations as a significant security threat, especially at sea. Typical examples are the regular intrusions of Chinese Coast Guard ships into the territorial waters of the Senkaku Islands and the possible landing on the Senkaku Islands by Chinese maritime militia forces disguised as fishermen or civilian protestors.
Travelers with Special Considerations
For specific traveler concerns in Japan, review the local laws and circumstances on the Department of State’s Country Information Page.
Rule of Law, Arbitrary Detention, Official Harassment, Corruption, & Transparency
The law provides criminal penalties for corruption by officials, and the government generally implements the law effectively. There were isolated reports of government corruption.
There are very strict privacy laws governing the release of personal information of Japanese citizens.
Review OSAC’s reports, Special Report: Worldwide Hostage and Detention Threats and Special Report: Wrongful Detention Country Placemats.
Health Concerns
The medical emergency line in Japan is 119. While medical care in Japan is good, English-speaking physicians and medical facilities that cater to U.S. expectations are expensive and not widespread. Ambulance services are widely available but receiving hospitals may decline to accept inbound patients unless they can provide proof of funds to pay for services.
Verify the validity of your medical insurance and confirm coverage in Japan before traveling. Japanese medical providers typically will not accept foreign medical insurance. Japan has a national health insurance system available only to those foreigners with long-term visas for Japan. National health insurance does not pay for medical evacuation (medevac). Medical caregivers in Japan may require payment in full at the time of treatment or concrete proof of ability to pay before they will treat a foreigner who is not a member of the national health insurance plan.
U.S.-style and standard psychological and psychiatric care can be difficult to locate outside major urban centers in Japan and generally is not available outside of Japan’s major cities. Extended psychiatric care can be very difficult to obtain.
Find contact information for available medical services and available air ambulance services on the U.S. Embassy website. The U.S. Department of State strongly recommends purchasing international health insurance before traveling internationally. Review the U.S. Department of State’s webpage on health insurance overseas.
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Health “H” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Japan. Review the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) country-specific Travel Health Notices for current health issues that impact traveler health, like disease outbreaks, special events or gatherings, and natural disasters.
See OSAC’s Guide to U.S. Government-Assisted Evacuations; review OSAC’s reports, The Healthy Way, Shaken: The Don’ts of Alcohol Abroad, Health 101: How to Prepare for Travel, and Fire Safety Abroad; and visit the U.S. Department of State’s webpage on Your Health Abroad for more information.
Vaccinations
Strongly consider all routine vaccines prior to all travel. Hepatitis A, hepatitis B, Japanese Encephalitis, and tick-borne encephalitis vaccinations are also recommended.
Review the CDC Travelers’ Health site for country-specific vaccine recommendations.
Issues Traveling with Medications
Some medications available in the U.S. are illegal in Japan. Pseudoephedrine, an ingredient in over-the-counter medication in the U.S., is illegal in Japan. Similarly, prescription medications containing amphetamine or other stimulants, such as Adderall and Ritalin, are also illegal in Japan.
Travelers can bring up to one month’s supply of allowable prescription medicine into Japan. Travelers should bring a copy of their doctor’s prescription as well as a letter stating the purpose of the drug. Travelers who must carry more than one month’s supply (except prohibited drugs and controlled drugs), or who must carry syringes, pumps, or a CPAP machine, must obtain an import certificate (Yakkan Shoumei) in advance, and show the document with the prescription medicines to a Japanese Customs official. When inquiring to the Kanto-Shinetsu Regional Bureau, do not forget to provide a fax number or email address. For more information about bringing medicines into Japan, consult the Bringing Over-the-Counter Medicine and Prescriptions into Japan page of the U.S. Embassy website. For information on how to obtain a Yakkan Shoumei certificate, visit Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare.
If traveling with prescription medication, check with the government of Japan’s Ministry of Health website to ensure the medication is legal in Japan; possession, use, or importation of a prescription drug that is illegal in Japan may result in arrest and criminal prosecution. Always carry your prescription medication in original packaging with your doctor’s prescription. U.S. prescriptions are not honored in Japan, so if you need ongoing prescription medicine, you should arrive with a sufficient supply for your stay in Japan or enough until you are able to see a local care provider.
Review OSAC’s report, Traveling with Medication.
Water Quality
Japan’s water quality is high.
Review OSAC’s report, I’m Drinking What in My Water?
Natural Disasters
In 2025, Japan has seen a large increase in bear attacks in the Hokkaido region. Thirteen people have been killed in attacks and over 100 have been injured, with the majority occurring in the areas around Sapporo City, Hokkaido Prefecture, Akita Prefecture, other parts of northern Japan. Travelers are advised to remain diligent and aware of surroundings when traveling through the area and to report any bear sightings to local authorities.
Japan frequently experiences natural disasters and extreme weather events, including earthquakes, typhoons, tsunamis, and landslides. However, its capabilities in the areas of disaster response are world-renowned. Japan regularly experiences earthquakes and tremors due to its location in an active seismic region known as the “Ring of Fire.” Japan has made great advances in building, railway, and road construction that minimizes collateral damage in metropolitan areas. Nevertheless, coastal cities remain susceptible to tsunamis, which stem from earthquake epicenters in the ocean, and can arrive on shore within minutes. These tidal waves can cause widespread destruction of property and can lead to loss of life.
Japan’s typhoon season typically lasts from July to October. Such weather can cause violent winds and heavy flooding, and adversely affect commercial aviation, rail service, and other public transportation.
See the Embassy’s webpage for recommendations and steps you can take to prepare for an emergency. The Japan Tourism Organization’s Safety Tips app and NHK World app provide Japanese government emergency “J-Alerts” to your cell phone in English through push notifications. “J-Alerts” can provide early warning emergency alerts on earthquakes predicted in a specific area, sometimes seconds before an earthquake hits.
The Government of Japan continues to closely monitor the conditions at and around the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant. Comply with all travel restrictions and cautions for areas surrounding the plant. For more information, contact the Japan Nuclear Regulation Authority.
Review OSAC’s reports, Earthquake Preparedness Toolkit and Landslides: What Are They and How to Prepare.
Cybersecurity
Cybercrime is an increasing concern throughout Japan. Always take care in protecting sensitive or proprietary information (including personally identifiable information). Use discretion when connecting to networks in internet cafés, hotel business centers, or Wi-Fi “hotspots,” such as those found at coffee shops.
Ransomware and distributed denial-of-service cyberattacks are occurring against foreign and Japanese public and private sector entities with greater frequency. Japan has placed economic security as a national strategic priority, enacting new legislation to ensure Japanese intellectual property rights, supply chain resiliency, and comprehensive export controls. Moreover, the NPA’s newly formed Cyber Affairs Unit reflects a sense of urgency by the Government of Japan to tackle both state and non-state malicious cyber actors.
Review OSAC’s reports, Cybersecurity Basics, Best Practices for Maximizing Security on Public Wi-Fi, Traveling Abroad with Mobile Devices, and Guide for Overseas Satellite Phone Usage.
Counterintelligence Issues
The Cabinet Intelligence and Research Office, known as Naicho, is the Japanese intelligence agency that gathers and analyzes national security information. The agency is said to serve a similar function and position as the United States’ Central Intelligence Agency.
Import/Export Restrictions
Japan has strict laws regarding the use and possession of dangerous weapons. Carrying a knife with a locking blade, or a folding blade that is longer than 5.5 cm (a little more than two inches), is illegal in Japan. U.S. citizens and U.S. military personnel have been arrested and detained for more than 10 days for carrying pocketknives that are legal in the United States but illegal in Japan. The possession of lock-picking tools is illegal in Japan.
Authorities have detained U.S. citizens at international airport ports-of-entry when finding loose ammunition – including a single bullet – in their luggage. Contact the Japanese Embassy or nearest Japanese consulate in the United States, or visit the Japanese Customs website for specific information regarding import restrictions and customs requirements.
There are no restrictions on importing satellite phones. However, service providers must obtain a permit from the government and users must subscribe to a licensed service provider.
A country-specific listing of items/goods prohibited from being exported to the country or that are otherwise restricted is available from the U.S. International Trade Agency website.
Additional resources and reports can be found in the OSAC Traveler Toolkit.
