Japan: crime and justice

Is crime rising in Japan?

The police recorded 523,109 Penal Code offences in January to August 2026, 3.8% more than in the same months of 2025, according to the National Police Agency's crime statistics for January–August 2026 (provisional). Theft accounted for 339,268 cases, up 0.8%.

The figures count offences known to the police, so they depend on reporting as well as on crime itself. They are provisional until February 2027. The agency's crime statistics page explains the terms used.

Official sources: NPA: crime statistics, January–August 2026 (PDF) · NPA: crime statistics page

How many murders are there in Japan?

The police recorded 670 murders in January to August 2026, nine more than in the same period of 2025, according to the National Police Agency's crime statistics for January–August 2026 (provisional). 560 people were arrested or referred for murder, and the clearance rate was 89.4%.

The figures count offences known to the police, not victims, and the clearance rate compares cases cleared in the period with cases recorded. The murder clearance rate was 93.6% a year earlier. The numbers are provisional until February 2027.

Official sources: NPA: crime statistics, January–August 2026 (PDF)

How common is fraud in Japan?

The police recorded 52,272 fraud cases in January to August 2026, 17.7% more than in the same months of 2025, according to the National Police Agency's crime statistics for January–August 2026 (provisional). The clearance rate for fraud was 22.0%, down 2.5 points.

Fraud makes up most of the "intellectual crime" category, which rose 18.3% overall to 56,145 cases. Police cleared 11,517 fraud cases and arrested or referred 6,342 people. The figures are provisional until February 2027.

Official sources: NPA: crime statistics, January–August 2026 (PDF)

Are burglaries increasing in Japan?

The police recorded 28,381 burglaries in January to August 2026, 9.9% fewer than in the same months of 2025, according to the National Police Agency's crime statistics for January–August 2026 (provisional). Break-ins at empty homes fell 10.8% to 7,045, and night-time break-ins while residents were asleep fell 30.1% to 2,336.

The clearance rate for burglary rose to 53.0% from 47.9%. The figures are provisional until February 2027.

Official sources: NPA: crime statistics, January–August 2026 (PDF)

What share of crimes are solved in Japan?

The clearance rate for all Penal Code offences was 37.9% in January to August 2026, unchanged from a year earlier, according to the National Police Agency's crime statistics for January–August 2026 (provisional). The police cleared 198,321 cases and arrested or referred 133,691 people.

Rates vary by offence: 89.4% for murder and 86.4% for robbery, but 32.9% for theft and 8.6% for vehicle and bicycle theft.

Official sources: NPA: crime statistics, January–August 2026 (PDF)

Is youth crime rising in Japan?

16,610 young people aged 14 to 19 were arrested or referred for Penal Code offences in January to August 2026, 11.6% more than a year earlier, according to the National Police Agency's crime statistics for January–August 2026 (provisional). Juveniles arrested for robbery rose from 294 to 396.

The police count young offenders separately as "juvenile offenders", meaning they were 14 to 19 both when the offence took place and when it was dealt with. The figures are provisional until February 2027.

Official sources: NPA: crime statistics, January–August 2026 (PDF)

How many murders are there in Japan?

0.2 per 100,000: that is the intentional homicide rate in Japan for 2023, according to the UN Office on Drugs and Crime. Its high point since 2005 was 2008, at 0.5 per 100,000; its low point was 2021, at 0.2 per 100,000. It is 8th highest of 9 in East Asia & Pacific, where the median is 0.9 per 100,000. Worldwide: 77th of 79.

What is the female homicide rate in Japan?

According to the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, the homicide rate for women in Japan was 0.2 per 100,000 in 2023. Its high point since 2005 was 2008, at 0.5 per 100,000; its low point was 2021, at 0.2 per 100,000. Across East Asia & Pacific the middle value was 0.7 per 100,000, and Japan placed 7th highest of 8. World rank, highest first: 75th of 78.

How many men are killed in Japan?

0.2 per 100,000: that is the homicide rate for men in Japan for 2023, according to the UN Office on Drugs and Crime. The peak was 0.5 per 100,000 in 2005 and the low 0.2 per 100,000 in 2022. It is 7th highest of 8 in East Asia & Pacific, where the median is 1.3 per 100,000. Of 78 countries with 2023 data, 76th highest.