The same goes for shopping bags from expensive department stores. Carry your own brown bag. It will not attract criminals. In your hotel, identify callers through the peephole. Call the front desk before admitting anyone you don't know.
Many travelers carry two wallets-one for thieves and one for real valuables.
Keep receipts from purchases. Japanese people know they should buy travelers checks but too often don't. They are unfamiliar with checks and thus uncomfortable with the language of checks. They can practice with a sheet of ten make-believe checks. Create a complete simulation of their dream trip overseas.