Silviase/jgov_v1.4_full_ann huggingface dataset:
# Special Feature II: Police Activities and Children, Women and the Elderly

## Section 1: Public Safety and Children, Women and the Elderly

Based on the results of surveys implemented by the Cabinet Office $ ^{*1} $ and the NPA $ ^{*2} $ , we analyzed the levels of citizens’ anxiety regarding public safety and the contributory factors.

## (1) Anxiety concerning Public Safety

The number of confirmed criminal cases has continuously decreased over the past ten years, indicating a statistical trend of improvement in the state of public safety. Meanwhile, with regard to changes in public safety over the past ten years, over 80% of overall respondents selected either “Has deteriorated” or “More deteriorated than improved”, indicating that citizens’ anxiety concerning public safety has yet to be dispelled.

Changes in public safety over the past 10 years

## (2) Factors contributing to Anxiety

## 1 ) Social Conditions

Many of the answers given with regard to the social conditions that may be a contributory factor in the perception that public safety has deteriorated included a reduced feeling of local community, the economic downturn, the glut of information, inadequate youth education and the decline in citizens' social morality.

Factors contributing to the perception that public safety has deteriorated

## 2 ) Types of Crime

As well as “Heinous crimes such as murder robbery, etc.”, “Violent crimes such as assault, injury, etc.” and “Crimes involving unlawful entry into homes for theft”, the types of crimes given as those that cause strong anxiety concerning public safety were crimes that mainly target children, women and the elderly, such as “Crimes involving children such as kidnapping, abduction, etc”, “Sex crimes such as rape, molestation, etc.” and “Crimes involving the theft of personal items (snatch theft, etc.)”.

Types of crimes that cause strong anxiety cocerning public safety

Source: NPA Awareness Survey

Note 1: Multiple answers accepted

2: The top six most frequently given answers are shown
2 Social Conditions surrounding Children, Women and the Elderly, and Public Safety Awareness

## (1) Social Conditions surrounding Children, and Public Safety Awareness

## 1 ) Social Conditions

In addition to the falling birth-rate and the trend toward nuclear families, the popularization of the Internet and mobile phones, including smartphones, has introduced a trend for friendships unrestricted by geographic conditions to be easily established through Social Networking Services (SNS), etc.

Trend in the population of persons under 15 years old

Rate of mobile phone possession among children (FY2012)

## 2 ) Public Safety Awareness

## i) Crimes that pose a threat

The percentage of persons living with preschool children (parents, etc.) giving “Crimes such as kidnap and abduction”, “Sex crimes such as rape, indecent assault, molestation, etc.” and “Crimes that occur mainly within the household such as child abuse, parental domestic violence, etc.” as the main crimes that pose a threat to children was higher than that of other respondents, while the percentage of persons living with junior high-school children giving “Crimes that exploit the Internet such as child pornography, violations of Juvenile Protection Ordinance, etc.” as the main crimes, due to the proliferation of mobile devices such as mobile phones and SNS, etc. was higher than that of other respondents.

Crimes that pose a significant threat to children

## ii) Requests for the police

Regarding actions that police should take to realize a society resistant to crimes targeting children, the number of persons living with children in general giving the answer “Reinforcement of patrols by patrol cars and uniformed police during school commute hours” was significantly high, while the percentage of persons living with junior high school children giving the answers “Measures to prevent children from coming into contact with illegal or harmful information via the Internet” and “Reinforcement of restrictions on matchmaking sites” was higher than that of other respondents.

Actions that the police should take to realize a society resistant to crimes targeting children

Source: Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications "Population Census"
## (2) Social Conditions surrounding Women, and Public Safety Awareness

## 1 ) Social Conditions

The social advancement of women between their late twenties and early sixties is progressing, with a significant increase in the employment rate of women in the 25–34 $ ^{yrs} $ age group. In addition, there is an increasing trend in the percentage in the total population of one-person households occupied by women and the amount of time women spend in solitary activities.

Trend in employment rate among women by age group (2002-2012)

Trend in the percentage in total population of one-person households occupied by women by age group (1995 – 2010)

Source: Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications "Population Census"

Trend in time spent by women in solitary activities (2001–2011)

Source: NPA Awareness Survey

## 2 ) Public Safety Awareness

## i) Crimes that women are anxious about falling victim to

Of the main crimes that women are anxious about falling victim to, a significantly high number of women in their 20s indicated “Sex crimes such as rape, molestation, etc.”, “Sexual crimes involving intrusion of privacy such as camera voyeurism, voyeurism, etc.” and “Stalking” in their responses.

Crimes that women are anxious about personally falling victim to

Source: Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications "Population Census"

## ii) Requests for the police

In relation to actions that the police should take to realize a society resistant to crimes targeting women, the highest response given by all age groups was “Approach to reducing places with bad visibility or dark places where crimes can easily occur”, while women in their twenties giving “Enhancement of consultation services for the concerns of female crime victims” in their response and women in their thirties giving “Increased installation of street security cameras” in their response was higher in comparison to other respondents, indicating a strong desire for improved anti-crime environment within the backdrop of higher employment rates and one-person households among women
Actions that the police should take to realize a society resistant to crimes targeting women

Source: Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications "Population Census"

## (3) Social Conditions surrounding the Elderly, and Public Safety Awareness

## 1 ) Social Conditions

While the elderly population is increasing, there is also an increasing trend in the number and percentage of the elderly living alone. In addition, with the increasing percentage of the elderly in the total population, there is a trend for financial savings to concentrate in elderly households.

Trend in elderly population (1950 – 2010)

Trend in the elderly living alone (1990 – 2010)

Savings distribution of heads of households by age group (2003, 2012)

| Under 30yrs | 30-39yrs | 40-49yrs | 50-59yrs | 60-69yrs | 70yrs or over
2003 | 0.6 (3.2) | 12.8 (18.8) | 25.0 (23.9) | 32.0 (22.9) | 22.5 (15.2) |
2012 | 7.1 (16.1) | 11.3 (18.1) | 18.3 (18.1) | 34.0 (25.1) | 31.6 (23.9) | 4.4 (12.9)

Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications "Household Income and Expenditure Survey" Note 1: Compiled from households with two or more persons 2: Figures in parenthesis represent the percentage of households owned by heads of households by age-group

## 2 ) Public Safety Awareness

## i) Crimes that the elderly are anxious about falling victim to

The most answers given with regards to the main crimes that the elderly are anxious about falling victim to were “Crimes such as remittance fraud and malicious business, etc.”, “Crimes that occur mainly within the household such as child abuse, abuse of the elderly, spousal violence, etc.”, “Crimes related to illegal drugs” and “Crimes involving unlawful entry into homes for Crimes that the elderly are anxious about personally falling victim to.

Source: NPA Awareness Survey

theft".

## ii) Requests for the police

In relation to actions that the police should take to realize a society resistant to crimes targeting the elderly, the most responses were given for “Development of police officers who will respond empathetically to consultations by the elderly”.

This was followed by “Provision of information concerning the status of crimes such as remittance fraud and malicious business, etc. and crime prevention”, which also received many responses, reflecting the increase in remittance fraud and malicious business targeting the assets of the elderly. In addition, many elderly persons living alone gave “Visits by uniformed police to the households in which elderly persons reside” in their responses.
Actions that the police should take to realize a society resistant to crimes targeting the elderly

Source: NPA Awareness Survey

## Section 2: Police Activities concerning Children

Regardless of continuing falls in birthrate, the percentage of confirmed criminal cases in which children were victims has shown a rising trend in recent years. Child abuse incidents and incidents attributable to bullying are increasing, and serious cases that have resulted in the deaths of children have occurred. In addition, along with the popularization of mobile phones and other mobile devices, welfare offenses caused by the use of community sites, etc. have become a serious issue.

In addition to taking preventive and enforcement measures against these crimes that leave deep scars on a child’s mind and body, police are committed to the creation of a society that does not produce delinquent juveniles and offering activities such as back-on-track support in order to realize sound youth development.

## 1 Child Abuse

## (1) Status

In 2012, there were 472 cleared child abuse cases with 486 arrests, an increase of 88 cases (22.9%) and 77 arrests (18.8%) over the previous year. In addition, the number of child victims of the cleared cases was 476, an increase of 78 (19.6%) over the previous year. All these figures are the highest since these statistics started in 1999, indicating that the status of child abuse is most serious.

Trend in status of arrests/police guidance for incidents attributable to bullying (2008-2012)

## (2) Countermeasures

Child abuse is a serious infringement of children’s rights and seriously affects the sound development of mind and body and the formation of character. The police are further reinforcing cooperation with related agencies and are taking active measures to enable the early detection of child abuse and the early protection of child victims.

## 2 Bullying

## (1) Status

In 2012, there were 260 incidents attributable to bullying, an increase of 147 cases (130.1%) over the previous year and the highest recorded number since 1987. In addition, the number of juveniles who were arrested or received police guidance was 511, an increase of 292 (133.3%) over the previous year, with junior high school children comprising approximately three quarters of the persons arrested or received police guidance.

Trend in number of cleared child abuse cases by manner of crime (2008-2012)
## (2) Countermeasures

With regard to bullying at school, serious incidents such as the suicide of a young boy due to bullying have occurred, representing alarming issues in terms of both juvenile protection and the prevention of delinquency. Through activities such as visitations to schools by school-supporters, the police are committed to the early identification of bullying and the promotion of appropriate responses through close cooperation with schools and other organizations. In addition, police are providing sensitive support for bullied youths, through the implementation of continuous counselling by juvenile guidance officers centering on juvenile support centers.

Case: Three male junior high school students (15yrs) had been assaulting a classmate prior to said classmate’s suicide. After accepting a complaint by the bereaved family in July 2012, these three were arrested and received police guidance under charges of assault, etc. (Shiga Prefecture)

## 3 Child Pornography

## (1) Status

In 2012, the number of cleared child pornography crime cases rose to 1,596, the highest ever recorded. About half the victims were confirmed to be lower aged children who possessed no means of resistance. In addition, due to increases in crimes that use file sharing software, 1,349 of these cleared cases (84.5%) were Internet related crimes, indicating that child pornography is still widespread on the Internet.

Trends in cleared child pornography cases (2008-2012)

## (2) Countermeasures

Child pornography is a record of the sexual exploitation and sexual abuse of children, and is a serious infringement of children’s rights. It is almost impossible to withdraw child pornography once it has been placed on the Internet. The pain of abused victims lasts long into the future. Consequently, in order to eradicate child pornography, the police are reinforcing enforcement against crimes that use file sharing software, undertaking enlightenment activities and promoting measures to prevent distribution and viewing in cooperation with related agencies and organizations.
## (2) Countermeasures

In view of the problems that were revealed upon examination of the murder case that occurred in Saikai, Nagasaki prefecture, in December 2011, police have systematically promoted prompt and appropriate responses from the perspective of the importance of preventing escalation of damage such as arresting perpetrators through the active application of laws and regulations, and protective measures for the victims and their families through registration to 110 emergency call systems, etc.

In addition, from February 2013, police have progressively introduced across the nation a process of support in decision making for the victims as a new approach. By using this process, police officers show victims diagrams of the possible actions that can be taken by police, with simple explanations and clarify the actions opted for by the victim. Police also intend to introduce a “Risk determination check-list” questionnaire about the victims and perpetrators, for the victims to answer, which will allow police to determine the risk of development into more serious cases such as murder, based on the answers given.

Procedural flow related to stalking and spousal violence cases

## 2 Camera Voyeurism

With regard to camera voyeurism, arrests are generally made under violation of prefectural anti-nuisance ordinances. Of the arrests made for violation of the Anti-Nuisance Ordinance in 2012, the number of cleared camera voyeurism cases was 2,408. The locations where camera voyeurism crimes are committed and the accessories used in

Number of cleared camera voyeurism cases by accessories used

these crimes are shown in the table below. There are now many camera voyeurism crimes that utilize smart phones and mobile phones.

In order to deter camera voyeurism crimes, police are reinforcing enlightenment and enforcement activities.

Number of cleared camera voyeurism cases by location
## Section 4: Police Activities concerning the Elderly

The percentage of confirmed crimes in which the elderly were victims has doubled over the past twenty years. In particular, there has been a significant increase in the percentage of elderly victims of specialized fraud and malicious business activities committed using crime infrastructure such as rental mobile phones and virtual offices. In addition, there is also an increasing trend in violent cases against the elderly involving abuse, etc.

Meanwhile, along with the increasing elderly population, the percentage of the elderly among persons arrested in relation to criminal cases has also increased.

In addition to enforcement that applies the various ordinances and enlightenment activities, the police are undertaking approaches in cooperation with related agencies and other organizations to prevent the elderly from becoming the victims of crime, as well as implementing various approaches aimed at reinforcing a sense of moral precepts among the elderly as well as local community ties.

## 1 Specialized Fraud targeting the Elderly

## (1) Status

Regarding the age composition of the overall victims of specialized fraud, over 50% are over 70 years of age. The figure is over 80% when looking at victims over 60 years of age and over 70% of those victims are women. Of the different types of fraud, in comparison to other age groups, specialized fraud such as the “Hey, it’s me” type remittance call fraud, fraud related to refunds, and fraud aimed at securities transactions specifically target the elderly.

Victim age/gender composition (%)
Under 59yrs	60s	70yrs or higher
Men	Women	Men	Women	Men	Women
All specialized fraud	7.7	11.2	6.7	20.2	13.9	40.2
Remittance fraud	7.2	11.9	5.9	21.0	12.1	41.9
"Hey, it's me" fraud	0.6	6.9	4.6	25.7	12.0	50.2
Billing fraud	20.4	34.1	6.3	7.5	8.3	23.4
Loan guarantee fraud	52.4	12.9	17.6	4.8	10.9	1.4
Refund fraud	0.5	4.7	6.2	25.0	16.6	46.9
Other specialized fraud types	9.1	9.4	8.8	18.0	18.8	35.9
Securities transactions	3.7	6.5	8.2	19.9	20.8	40.9
Liaison for acquaintance with someone of the opposite sex	55.8	25.6	11.6	0.0	7.0	0.0
Provision of guaranteed winner info for gambling	41.0	28.4	12.6	7.7	6.5	3.8
Other	14.5	10.9	12.7	10.9	12.7	38.2

Victim age and gender ratios for specialized fraud by tactics used (2012)
## (2) Countermeasures

In order to prevent the elderly from falling victim to specialized fraud, police are promoting direct anti-crime guidance activities and attention notices for the elderly and other vulnerable persons, through routine patrol contact and anti-crime talks by police officers and direct calls from outsourced private sector call centers, etc.

## Column: Anti-crime awareness of remittance fraud victims

The results of a question in the NPA Awareness Survey asking elderly victims of remittance fraud how they had formerly viewed the possibility of falling victim to this type of fraud themselves, showed that over 80% responded with either “No possibility” or “Practically none”.

Anti-crime awareness of remittance fraud victims How victims had formerly viewed the possibility of falling victim to remittance fraud themselves.

| Value (%)
No possibility | 63.9
Practically none | 18.1
A little | 12.0
Quite likely | 6.0

Source: NPA Awareness Survey

Note: Responses given by 133 elderly victims of remittance fraud

In addition, as much of the lost funds were drawn out or transferred using ATMs or the counters of financial institutions, it is extremely important for financial institution personnel, etc. to speak with the elderly. Police are promoting the implementation of methods involving speaking with the elderly and have provided financial institutions with checklists for this approach and are holding training sessions. In 2012, the amount in funds saved from specialized fraud as a result of actions such as financial institution personnel speaking with potential victims was approximately ¥9.5 billion.

Trends in confirmed cases of specialized fraud and number of cases prevented (2008-2012)

## 2 Malicious Business targeting the Elderly

Malicious business refers to organized and repetitive business transactions that include illegal or unfair means/methods in their business practice and target general consumers. Malicious business operators target the elderly or other vulnerable persons who are not versed in business transactions, with fraudulent business activities, and there have been numerous victims.

Trend in the ratio of consultations received by consumer affairs centers nationwide from elderly persons who had entered contracts and incurred damages following possibly fraudulent investment solicitation (2009-2012)

Trend in the ratio of consultation received by consumer affairs centers nationwide from elderly persons who had entered contracts and incurred damages following possibly fraudulent specified commercial transactions (2009-2012)
Column: Preventive measures against the criminal use of services exploited by malicious business, etc.

As well as exploiting bank accounts as the remittance destinations of misappropriated funds, it has been confirmed that persons who commit acts of malicious business, etc. exploit virtual offices (so-called hosting services, etc.) to gain the trust of their victims and other vulnerable persons.

As well as undertaking prompt and proactive provision of information to financial institutions in order to freeze bank accounts and providing information on the frozen account holding juridical entity to financial institutions, police are promoting preventive measures against criminal use by appealing to businesses to cancel contracts, arresting malicious business operators, and maintaining a continuous understanding and analytical stance against the exploitation status of services that encourage crime, etc.

## Column: Restrictions against Door-to-Door Purchasing

Along with the recent surge in precious metals prices, there has been a sudden increase in victims of unexpected home visits from businesses that use aggressive tactics to purchase precious metals, etc. In light of this, the “Act on Specified Commercial Transactions” was amended and new restrictions against “Door-to-Door Purchasing” such as restrictions against unfair solicitation, obligation to provide documentation and cooling-off periods, were introduced (in force as of February 2013).