[Present situation of crime in Japan].
Recently, it has been said that public safety has changed for the worse in Japan. After a peak in 1994, the total number of crimes gradually decreased, but it still remains at a higher level when compared to that in 1989. In addition to the persistent increase in the number of child abuse and drug abuse/dependence cases as well as stalking, indiscriminate crime by an unknown assailant is now increasing in Japan, particularly this year. The present criminal tendency seems to be based on the rapid change from an equal to unequal societal status, the ease of access to personal computers/the Internet, and the increase of crime committed by foreigners.
Ohshima
Tohru
T
Division of Forensic and Social Environmental Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kanazawa University.
D003415:Crime / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D007564:Japan