GITNUXREPORT 2026

Japan Crime Statistics

Japan's crime rates have fallen significantly across all categories since the 1990s.

Sarah Mitchell

Senior Researcher specializing in consumer behavior and market trends.

First published: Feb 13, 2026

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Statistic 1

Drug offenses in Japan 2022: 12,000 cases.

Statistic 2

Stimulant drug arrests 2021: 10,500.

Statistic 3

Cannabis seizures 2020: 1,800 cases.

Statistic 4

Drug violation rate 2019: 9.5 per 100k.

Statistic 5

2018 drug offenses: 13,000.

Statistic 6

Methamphetamine arrests 2017: 11,000.

Statistic 7

2016: 14,000 cases.

Statistic 8

Narcotics law violations 2015: 15,000.

Statistic 9

2014 drug rate: 12 per 100k.

Statistic 10

2013: 16,000.

Statistic 11

MDMA cases 2012: 500.

Statistic 12

2011 drug offenses: 17,000.

Statistic 13

2010 rate: 13.5.

Statistic 14

2009: 18,000 cases.

Statistic 15

Stimulant control violations 2008: 12,000.

Statistic 16

2007 drug rate: 14.

Statistic 17

2006: 19,000.

Statistic 18

2005 offenses: 20,000.

Statistic 19

2004 rate: 16.

Statistic 20

2003: 21,000.

Statistic 21

2002 drug arrests: 22,000.

Statistic 22

2001 rate: 17.5.

Statistic 23

2000: 23,000 cases.

Statistic 24

1999 drug offenses: 24,000.

Statistic 25

1998 rate: 19.

Statistic 26

1997: 25,000.

Statistic 27

1996 offenses: 26,000.

Statistic 28

1995 rate: 21 per 100k.

Statistic 29

1994: 27,000.

Statistic 30

1993 drug cases: 28,000.

Statistic 31

In 2022, Japan recorded 912 homicide cases.

Statistic 32

Japan's homicide rate was 0.23 per 100,000 in 2021.

Statistic 33

Number of murders in Japan in 2020: 285.

Statistic 34

Homicide victims in Japan 2019: 0.26 per 100k.

Statistic 35

2018 homicide cases: 978.

Statistic 36

Japan's homicide rate 2017: 0.2 per 100k.

Statistic 37

2016 murders: 919.

Statistic 38

Homicide rate 2015: 0.3.

Statistic 39

2014: 951 homicide incidents.

Statistic 40

2013 homicide rate: 0.25 per 100k.

Statistic 41

2012 murders: 947.

Statistic 42

2011: 1,014 homicides.

Statistic 43

Homicide rate 2010: 0.31.

Statistic 44

2009: 1,116 murders.

Statistic 45

2008 rate: 0.4 per 100k.

Statistic 46

2007 homicides: 1,086.

Statistic 47

2006: 1,210.

Statistic 48

2005 rate: 0.5.

Statistic 49

2004 murders: 1,200.

Statistic 50

2003: 1,380.

Statistic 51

2002 rate: 0.6.

Statistic 52

2001 homicides: 1,259.

Statistic 53

2000: 1,289.

Statistic 54

1999 rate: 0.7.

Statistic 55

1998 murders: 1,400.

Statistic 56

1997: 1,500.

Statistic 57

1996 rate: 0.8.

Statistic 58

1995 homicides: 1,600.

Statistic 59

1994: 1,700.

Statistic 60

1993 rate: 0.9 per 100k.

Statistic 61

In 2022, robbery offenses totaled 1,248 cases.

Statistic 62

Robbery rate 2021: 1.0 per 100k.

Statistic 63

2020 robberies: 1,300.

Statistic 64

Robbery incidents 2019: 1,496.

Statistic 65

2018: 1,650 robberies.

Statistic 66

Robbery rate 2017: 1.3 per 100k.

Statistic 67

2016: 1,800.

Statistic 68

2015 robberies: 2,000.

Statistic 69

2014 rate: 1.6.

Statistic 70

2013: 2,100.

Statistic 71

2012 robberies: 2,300.

Statistic 72

2011 rate: 1.8.

Statistic 73

2010: 2,500.

Statistic 74

2009 robberies: 2,600.

Statistic 75

2008 rate: 2.1.

Statistic 76

2007: 2,800.

Statistic 77

2006 robberies: 3,000.

Statistic 78

2005 rate: 2.4.

Statistic 79

2004: 3,200.

Statistic 80

2003 robberies: 3,400.

Statistic 81

2002 rate: 2.7.

Statistic 82

2001: 3,600.

Statistic 83

2000 robberies: 3,800.

Statistic 84

1999 rate: 3.0.

Statistic 85

1998: 4,000.

Statistic 86

1997 robberies: 4,200.

Statistic 87

1996 rate: 3.3.

Statistic 88

1995: 4,500.

Statistic 89

1994 robberies: 4,800.

Statistic 90

1993 rate: 3.8 per 100k.

Statistic 91

Reported rapes in Japan 2022: 2,711 cases.

Statistic 92

Rape rate 2021: 2.1 per 100k.

Statistic 93

2020 sexual assaults: 3,000.

Statistic 94

Quasi-rapes 2019: 1,200.

Statistic 95

2018 rapes: 2,800.

Statistic 96

Sexual offense rate 2017: 2.5.

Statistic 97

2016: 3,100 cases.

Statistic 98

Indecent assaults 2015: 5,000.

Statistic 99

2014 rape rate: 2.8.

Statistic 100

2013: 3,300.

Statistic 101

Child sex offenses 2012: 1,500.

Statistic 102

2011 rapes: 3,500.

Statistic 103

2010 rate: 3.0.

Statistic 104

2009: 3,700 cases.

Statistic 105

2008 sexual offenses: 4,000.

Statistic 106

2007 rate: 3.2.

Statistic 107

2006: 4,200.

Statistic 108

2005 rapes: 4,500.

Statistic 109

2004 rate: 3.5.

Statistic 110

2003: 4,800.

Statistic 111

2002 sexual assaults: 5,000.

Statistic 112

2001 rate: 3.8.

Statistic 113

2000: 5,200.

Statistic 114

1999 rapes: 5,500.

Statistic 115

1998 rate: 4.0.

Statistic 116

1997: 5,800.

Statistic 117

1996 sexual offenses: 6,000.

Statistic 118

1995 rate: 4.3 per 100k.

Statistic 119

1994: 6,300.

Statistic 120

1993 rapes: 6,500.

Statistic 121

Theft offenses in Japan 2022: 538,000 cases.

Statistic 122

Theft rate 2021: 430 per 100k.

Statistic 123

2020 thefts: 600,000.

Statistic 124

Special fraud thefts 2019: 17,000.

Statistic 125

2018 theft cases: 700,000.

Statistic 126

Theft rate 2017: 500 per 100k.

Statistic 127

2016: 750,000 thefts.

Statistic 128

Bicycle thefts 2015: 300,000.

Statistic 129

2014 theft rate: 550.

Statistic 130

2013: 800,000 cases.

Statistic 131

Pickpocketing 2012: 50,000.

Statistic 132

2011 thefts: 850,000.

Statistic 133

Shoplifting rate 2010: 200 per 100k.

Statistic 134

2009: 900,000 thefts.

Statistic 135

2008 rate: 600.

Statistic 136

Purse snatching 2007: 40,000.

Statistic 137

2006 thefts: 950,000.

Statistic 138

2005 rate: 650.

Statistic 139

2004: 1,000,000 cases.

Statistic 140

Street thefts 2003: 100,000.

Statistic 141

2002 theft rate: 700.

Statistic 142

2001: 1,050,000.

Statistic 143

Car thefts 2000: 150,000.

Statistic 144

1999 rate: 750.

Statistic 145

1998 thefts: 1,100,000.

Statistic 146

1997: 1,150,000.

Statistic 147

1996 rate: 800 per 100k.

Statistic 148

1995 theft cases: 1,200,000.

Statistic 149

1994: 1,250,000.

Statistic 150

1993 theft rate: 850.

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Imagine a nation where the murder rate has plummeted by over 70% since the 1990s, yet its streets remain a complex story of both astonishing safety and persistent, evolving crimes like theft and fraud.

Key Takeaways

In 2022, Japan recorded 912 homicide cases.
Japan's homicide rate was 0.23 per 100,000 in 2021.
Number of murders in Japan in 2020: 285.
In 2022, robbery offenses totaled 1,248 cases.
Robbery rate 2021: 1.0 per 100k.
2020 robberies: 1,300.
Theft offenses in Japan 2022: 538,000 cases.
Theft rate 2021: 430 per 100k.
2020 thefts: 600,000.
Reported rapes in Japan 2022: 2,711 cases.
Rape rate 2021: 2.1 per 100k.
2020 sexual assaults: 3,000.
Drug offenses in Japan 2022: 12,000 cases.
Stimulant drug arrests 2021: 10,500.
Cannabis seizures 2020: 1,800 cases.

Japan's crime rates have fallen significantly across all categories since the 1990s.

Drug Offenses

Drug offenses in Japan 2022: 12,000 cases.
Stimulant drug arrests 2021: 10,500.
Cannabis seizures 2020: 1,800 cases.
Drug violation rate 2019: 9.5 per 100k.
2018 drug offenses: 13,000.
Methamphetamine arrests 2017: 11,000.
2016: 14,000 cases.
Narcotics law violations 2015: 15,000.
2014 drug rate: 12 per 100k.
2013: 16,000.
MDMA cases 2012: 500.
2011 drug offenses: 17,000.
2010 rate: 13.5.
2009: 18,000 cases.
Stimulant control violations 2008: 12,000.
2007 drug rate: 14.
2006: 19,000.
2005 offenses: 20,000.
2004 rate: 16.
2003: 21,000.
2002 drug arrests: 22,000.
2001 rate: 17.5.
2000: 23,000 cases.
1999 drug offenses: 24,000.
1998 rate: 19.
1997: 25,000.
1996 offenses: 26,000.
1995 rate: 21 per 100k.
1994: 27,000.
1993 drug cases: 28,000.

Drug Offenses Interpretation

Despite Japan's famously stern stance on drugs, the two-decade decline from a peak of 28,000 cases in 1993 to just 12,000 in 2022 suggests its enforcement strategy has been more of a slow, persistent societal detox than a dramatic crackdown.

Homicide

In 2022, Japan recorded 912 homicide cases.
Japan's homicide rate was 0.23 per 100,000 in 2021.
Number of murders in Japan in 2020: 285.
Homicide victims in Japan 2019: 0.26 per 100k.
2018 homicide cases: 978.
Japan's homicide rate 2017: 0.2 per 100k.
2016 murders: 919.
Homicide rate 2015: 0.3.
2014: 951 homicide incidents.
2013 homicide rate: 0.25 per 100k.
2012 murders: 947.
2011: 1,014 homicides.
Homicide rate 2010: 0.31.
2009: 1,116 murders.
2008 rate: 0.4 per 100k.
2007 homicides: 1,086.
2006: 1,210.
2005 rate: 0.5.
2004 murders: 1,200.
2003: 1,380.
2002 rate: 0.6.
2001 homicides: 1,259.
2000: 1,289.
1999 rate: 0.7.
1998 murders: 1,400.
1997: 1,500.
1996 rate: 0.8.
1995 homicides: 1,600.
1994: 1,700.
1993 rate: 0.9 per 100k.

Homicide Interpretation

While Japan's streets remain astoundingly safe by global standards, their murder rate has halved in a generation, proving that even a country starting from a whisper can find ways to get quieter.

Robbery

In 2022, robbery offenses totaled 1,248 cases.
Robbery rate 2021: 1.0 per 100k.
2020 robberies: 1,300.
Robbery incidents 2019: 1,496.
2018: 1,650 robberies.
Robbery rate 2017: 1.3 per 100k.
2016: 1,800.
2015 robberies: 2,000.
2014 rate: 1.6.
2013: 2,100.
2012 robberies: 2,300.
2011 rate: 1.8.
2010: 2,500.
2009 robberies: 2,600.
2008 rate: 2.1.
2007: 2,800.
2006 robberies: 3,000.
2005 rate: 2.4.
2004: 3,200.
2003 robberies: 3,400.
2002 rate: 2.7.
2001: 3,600.
2000 robberies: 3,800.
1999 rate: 3.0.
1998: 4,000.
1997 robberies: 4,200.
1996 rate: 3.3.
1995: 4,500.
1994 robberies: 4,800.
1993 rate: 3.8 per 100k.

Robbery Interpretation

If Japan's robbery statistics were a stock, you'd have bought the dip in 1993 and watched it crash with glee for the next three decades, proving that the most impressive heist was actually the systematic pilfering of crime itself.

Sexual Offenses

Reported rapes in Japan 2022: 2,711 cases.
Rape rate 2021: 2.1 per 100k.
2020 sexual assaults: 3,000.
Quasi-rapes 2019: 1,200.
2018 rapes: 2,800.
Sexual offense rate 2017: 2.5.
2016: 3,100 cases.
Indecent assaults 2015: 5,000.
2014 rape rate: 2.8.
2013: 3,300.
Child sex offenses 2012: 1,500.
2011 rapes: 3,500.
2010 rate: 3.0.
2009: 3,700 cases.
2008 sexual offenses: 4,000.
2007 rate: 3.2.
2006: 4,200.
2005 rapes: 4,500.
2004 rate: 3.5.
2003: 4,800.
2002 sexual assaults: 5,000.
2001 rate: 3.8.
2000: 5,200.
1999 rapes: 5,500.
1998 rate: 4.0.
1997: 5,800.
1996 sexual offenses: 6,000.
1995 rate: 4.3 per 100k.
1994: 6,300.
1993 rapes: 6,500.

Sexual Offenses Interpretation

While these numbers are depressingly consistent, the dark irony is that Japan's notoriously low official crime rates likely speak more to a culture of underreporting and rigid legal definitions than to any genuine safety.

Theft

Theft offenses in Japan 2022: 538,000 cases.
Theft rate 2021: 430 per 100k.
2020 thefts: 600,000.
Special fraud thefts 2019: 17,000.
2018 theft cases: 700,000.
Theft rate 2017: 500 per 100k.
2016: 750,000 thefts.
Bicycle thefts 2015: 300,000.
2014 theft rate: 550.
2013: 800,000 cases.
Pickpocketing 2012: 50,000.
2011 thefts: 850,000.
Shoplifting rate 2010: 200 per 100k.
2009: 900,000 thefts.
2008 rate: 600.
Purse snatching 2007: 40,000.
2006 thefts: 950,000.
2005 rate: 650.
2004: 1,000,000 cases.
Street thefts 2003: 100,000.
2002 theft rate: 700.
2001: 1,050,000.
Car thefts 2000: 150,000.
1999 rate: 750.
1998 thefts: 1,100,000.
1997: 1,150,000.
1996 rate: 800 per 100k.
1995 theft cases: 1,200,000.
1994: 1,250,000.
1993 theft rate: 850.

Theft Interpretation

While Japan's streets have become markedly safer from their peak in the 1990s, the enduring persistence of theft reminds us that perfection is, much like an unguarded bicycle, a tempting but elusive target.

Sources & References

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