Getting arrested in Japan

HPMOR

Holy shit this is horrible. It really shows the true cost of having a disciplined public society. People love to hate on SF, and the homelessness. But I think it’s a society that prioritizes individual freedom which allows for both this outcome and the entrepreneurial environment we see.

metalcrow

This sounds bad enough that it makes me wonder what the punishment for breaking the rules in jail is. If you can't sleep in a certain direction, what are they going to do if you refuse to obey? Or even can't obey because you don't speak Japanese?

ktallett

There is nothing about Japan that suggests otherwise. One example being whether you agree with capital punishment or not, their method of never giving you advance notice is torture, for both the prisoner and their family.

commandersaki

Something as small as getting into a heated argument in public, accidentally taking an item you didn’t pay for, overstaying a visa, or even grabbing someone else’s umbrella or bike thinking it was yours can escalate further than you could imagine and have you arrested before you’ve even had a chance to explain. Is this actually true or just fearmongering? I mean really, no chance to explain? Sounds as dumb as being forced into a psychiatric ward for wearing a pink shirt.

metacritic12

Seems like it's not pleasant, and the author says in theory it could be as low of a bar as getting into a heated argument; but the author never discloses his actual charge, which I think is critical context. If he stabbed someone and got this treatment, it would be very different than if he had a loud but normal argument you might see in any big box store in the US. That he doesn't go on to protest why he got locked up makes me think it was something more serious. Some time ago (can't easily find it anymore) there was a expose on UK prisons, which was interesting without even knowing what crime the prisoner was convicted of, but turns out it was abuse of a relative.

ProjectVader

For those interested, here is the YouTube channel of the author. She has several videos about her experience. I used to watch her channel, and after reading this article (although she never mentions her name), I clicked through a few more of her posts, and saw her photo and immediately recognized the name. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=175yRhSaNfU

wizzwizz4

The picture in section "THE CELL" does not match the description.

DarkmSparks

Whole new level of respect for the Yakuza, no wonder they end up running everything there.

dnnddidiej

Tl;dr: you are in effectively the hole (but stricter) for anything between 1 day and months, without charges. It is torture. As in actual torture. Fact check... anyone can confirm this treatment is standard in Japan?

zulux

Pro Tip: When visiting Japan, dress and comport yourself so you don't look like you should be thrown in jail, and it will happen a lot less often. As a Mexican friend puts it for Mexico: Dress as the police should believe you.

OutOfHere

Wear a body camera while in public, one that is always recording. It won't save you from absurd prescription drug charges though.

g-b-r

I mostly love Japan, but this is it, I can't risk something like this. The conviction rate was already terrifying, but this probably nails the coffin. And this in a country where the yakuza is a sanctioned part of the society?

aftbit

Absolutely horrifying. I've come to believe that criminal punishment is simply unethical. I wish someone would come up with a better option.

bouncycastle

another thing in Japan is that you can get arrested for self defence. Say if someone starts attacking you on the street, and eg. you punch back causing an injury, when you could have simply ran away and escaped, then you can get arrested and held for 23 days as a suspect. So say if someone shoves you on a subway in Tokyo, do not ever shove back or do anything worse. Move away, get witnesses / evidence if you can, then report. (I've also witnessed an attacker try to exploit this rule, where they would intentionally injure themselves during the conflict and then claim that the defendant did it, so be aware of that) Oh, and other things that can get you arrested: - Not promptly returning someone's lost property such as a wallet. There was a case here in the newspapers recently. - A review about a business that damaged their reputation, even if it was true (but you don't have 100% evidence). eg. "I got food poisoning from here". Be very careful what you post and say online as defamation laws are very different. oh, and maybe not arrested, but get in trouble for: if you place your household rubbish into not your designated collection point, even though the point is the closest to your home. (Also don't get me started on the topic of sorting trash...)

AngryData

This guy has a way rosier view of the US justice system than either I or anybody I know who has been arrested or sent to jail has.

momentmaker

This sounds like a monk-styled meditation retreat where one just get fed and can just keep doing meditation all day alone. Sounds a heaven for someone who is ready for it but hell for those whose thoughts run amok.

nnm

Seems like the system is heavily stacked against detainees, regardless of whether they are actually innocent or guilty.

nayuki

I enjoyed learning from this video years ago, which introduces the topic of how you are treated when arrested in Japan: * Paolo fromTOKYO - "Why Japan Arrests Foreigners" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r1ZLGqL1FMo (14m23s) [2019-08-16]

tokkkie

stealing or overstaying visa is crime everywhere. why surprised about arrest? other countries ignore this? from japan.