Feeling unsafe in Tokyo? Here’s where to get help

When it comes to violent crime, Japan is extraordinarily safe compared to most nations. According to data compiled by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Japan’s rate of intentional homicide in 2023 was around 0.2 per 100,000 people, one of the lowest in the world. Given their extreme rarity, violent crimes like homicide are generally not much of an everyday concern in Japan.

Incidents such as stalking and domestic violence, however, are a different story. In Tokyo alone, the Metropolitan Police Department documented a steady increase in reports on stalking and domestic violence between 2021 and 2025, rising from 1,102 to 1,751 for stalking reports and from 8,011 to 9,336 for domestic violence reports.

Nearly 81 percent of the stalking reports and 77 percent of the domestic violence reports in 2025 were filed by women, but regardless of gender, the increase in victims of abuse each year remains an issue.

‘Since 2023, consultations have doubled,’ says TELL Japan’s Lifeline Director Arnold Arao regarding calls relating to stalking and domestic abuse received by the Lifeline. In spite of the increase, Arao acknowledges the situation is even more disheartening than consultation figures would suggest. ‘[Those who contact TELL are] still a very small fraction of the people who are actually experiencing these kinds of situations.’

If you or someone you know is dealing with issues relating to stalking, harassment or domestic violence, read on for some of the resources Arao and his colleagues suggest looking into.

Foreign victims of harassment or abuse may be reluctant to go to the police for various reasons, from struggling with the language barrier to anxieties around differential treatment based on race or nationality. However, in cases where you’re actively being pursued or harassed, simply entering a neighbourhood police station, known as a koban, could act as a means of deterring your attacker and securing your safety.

‘Your physical safety is what comes first,’ says Electra Vaseileiadou, one of TELL’s Lifeline Training Coordinators. ‘Everything else can be negotiated afterwards.’ Koban are open 24/7 and located in every neighbourhood (pictured above).

If harassment is an ongoing issue, senior advisor and former Lifeline director Vickie Skorji further stresses the importance of contacting the police. ‘The more information the police have, the more they’re able to get to that step where you can [possibly] prosecute.’

Skorji explains that the police can register your number and keep your case on file so that they know who you are as soon as you contact them; you won’t have to explain your case each time you call, and they can trace your phone if necessary.

You can call the police at 110 – ask for English service to be transferred to an interpreter.

In cases of repeated stalking or domestic abuse, it may be necessary to seek out a safety shelter, though they’re not always easy to find on your own. ‘A lot of these places aren’t publishing what they do, how they do it or even where they are,’ explains Arao. ‘That’s safety, and that’s understandable.’

What’s more, options vary widely depending on your individual circumstances and even your location in the massive metropolis. As just one example, Shinagawa ward offers subsidised housing at ¥10,000 per night for up to 21 nights for victims seeking to escape abuse, but other districts may have their own resources.

Regardless of location, accommodation is typically organised through the police, so Japanese language skills in these instances are essential.

Japan’s beloved konbini are highly versatile locations where you can do everything from stocking your pantry to paying your bills and rent, but there’s even more to them than meets the eye. Tens of thousands of convenience stores all over the country serve as ‘safety stations’, offering a wide range of social services from assisting the elderly with navigating financial fraud to helping lost children find their parents.

So, how do you know which establishments are safety stations? Look for the adorable white elephant and his red cape (pictured above). Staff members at these locations are meant to help you when you’re in danger, and while they might not necessarily be trained to handle your specific issue, you can still have them call the police and potentially get assistance if you’re in an unsafe situation.

The Foreign Residents’ Advisory Center (FRAC) assists foreign residents with all manner of inquiries, from what to do in a traffic accident to questions about Japanese customs and culture – ask the centre for guidance on where to find safety resources if you need them.

Consultations with FRAC are free and usually over the phone, though in-person assistance at the centre’s branch in Shinjuku on the third floor of Bldg 1 of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building is also possible with advance reservation. Visit the FRAC website or call 0353 207 744 Monday to Friday 9.30am-12noon or 1pm-5pm for English assistance.

On the FRAC website you’ll also find a link to information on Tsunagari, a service provided by the Tokyo Metropolitan Foundation specifically for legal consultations. If you are a registered Tokyo resident who needs a lawyer for any reason, contact Tsunagari to make an appointment for a free, one-hour consultation – call 0362 581 227 Monday to Friday 10am-4pm for assistance (ask for English service to be transferred to an English-speaking staff member).

Time Out tip: It takes time for the office to book an interpreter, so try to schedule a consultation three to seven days in advance.

Hoterasu – officially called the Japan Legal Support Center – is a national organisation established by the government in 2006. The centre provides information free of charge on Japan’s laws and legal systems.

Hoterasu’s services aren’t for pressing charges, but rather for knowing what your legal options are if you’ve been a victim of harassment, stalking, abuse or other crimes. In the event you require a lawyer but can’t afford one, Hoterasu may provide an interest-free loan for lawyer fees.

Hoterasu’s Tokyo branches are located in Tachikawa, Hachioji and Shinjuku. Visit the Hoterasu website or call 0570 078 377 (multilingual) Monday to Friday 9am-5pm for more information.

Similar to Hoterasu, the Human Rights Bureau also offers consultation services to foreigners in Japan. The organisation can point you in the right direction to receive counselling on a wide range of services from rental discrimination to workplace harassment.

If you speak Japanese, the bureau has a dedicated phone line specifically for dealing with issues relating to domestic violence or sexual harassment (0570 070 810, women only), but if you require assistance in another language or are a male victim seeking support, the standard line at 0570 090 911 can offer multilingual assistance.

Time Out tip: The centre has limited English-speaking resources, so there’s a possibility no one will be able to assist you immediately when you call. Consider another option on this list for more expedient service.

TELL is a free, anonymous telephone and chat service that’s been helping Japan’s international community with its mental health since 1973. The organisation currently has over 160 volunteers nationwide trained to offer consultation on issues relating to mental health issues, domestic violence and more.

Beyond its counselling services, TELL can direct you to any of the resources on this list and then some. ‘Being able to have someone help you navigate community resources is really essential,’ says Arao, as most foreigners may not know where to look for help.

Visit TELL Japan’s website or call 0800 300 8355 toll free for support.

It’s important to emphasise that Tokyo is incredibly safe overall, but it doesn’t hurt to be cautious and have a plan in case your physical safety is ever at risk.

If you need police protection, temporary accommodation, a lawyer or even mental health support to process your experience, these services are available. ‘The resources are there,’ asserts Arao. ‘It’s just a matter of talking about them.’

That’s certainly what we aim to do.