Japan is so safe that most people who have never been to Japan have no idea of the real security that the country offers, perhaps they don't even imagine that such safety is possible, having gotten used to living in a dangerous country like Brazil.
I know it's wrong to compare countries like Brazil and Japan, as they both have different cultures, different governments, different geographies, but it is good for us to understand the real difference between a first world country and a third world country.
To help you understand definitively the real and gigantic difference between Japan and Brazil, we will present some data and statistics involving safety, crimes, robberies, deaths, and accidents for you to understand that Japan is much safer regardless of its suicide rate or the rare natural disasters that are generalized by the media.
Table of Content
Homicides in Japan vs Brazil
Brazil
In 2023, Brazil recorded approximately 39,500 homicides, resulting in a rate of 18.45 homicides per 100,000 inhabitants. Of these homicides, a high percentage is committed with the use of firearms, reflecting the prevalence of armed violence in the country (Americas Quarterly).
Japan
In Japan, in 2023, 912 homicides were recorded, with a rate of 0.73 per 100,000 inhabitants. Only 7 of these homicides were committed with firearms, highlighting the effectiveness of the strict gun control laws in the country.
Comparison
- Homicide RateBrazil has approximately 2447% more homicides per 100,000 inhabitants than Japan.
- Homicides by FirearmBrazil has a firearm homicide rate 230,000% higher than that of Japan.
Thefts and Burglary in Japan vs Brazil
Brazil
With a rate of 1,046.74 robberies per 100,000 inhabitants, Brazil records about 2,238,440 robberies annually, considering a population of 214 million inhabitants.
Japan
In 2023, Japan had approximately 1,361 cases of robbery, resulting in a rate of 1.8 per 100,000 inhabitants. This data does not include thefts that may exceed 100,000 cases, as there are frequent bicycle thefts, which are fortunately abandoned and recovered at the country's train stations.
Comparison
- StealingBrazil has a robbery rate 58152% higher than that of Japan.
Car Accidents and Deaths in Traffic
Brazil
Brazil reports about 30,000 traffic deaths annually, with a rate of approximately 14 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants (Worldmetrics).
Japan
In 2023, Japan recorded 2,839 traffic deaths, resulting in a rate of 2.14 per 100,000 inhabitants (Your Doorway to Japan).
Comparison
- Traffic DeathsBrazil has a traffic mortality rate approximately 6.54 times higher than that of Japan.
Rapes in Japan x Brazil
Brazil
In 2022, Brazil recorded 74,930 cases of rape, with a rate of about 35 cases per 100,000 inhabitants (Human Rights Watch) (MercoPress).
Japan
Japan recorded about 1,456 cases of rape in 2022, resulting in a rate of approximately 1.16 per 100,000 inhabitants (Nippon.com | Your Doorway to Japan).
Comparison
- RapeBrazil has approximately 2917% more cases of rape per 100,000 inhabitants than Japan.
- It is worth noting that in Brazil only 8% of rape cases are reported. We do not have this percentage in relation to Japan, but due to its strictness, it may be much higher.
Suicides in Japan vs. Brazil
Brazil
In 2021, the suicide rate in Brazil was approximately 12 per 100,000 inhabitants, with a total estimated number of 25,000 suicides (World Health Organization (WHO)).
Japan
In 2023, Japan recorded a suicide rate of 17.5 per 100,000 inhabitants, totaling 21,818 suicides (Japan Equestrian Bronze).
Comparison
- SuicidesJapan has a suicide rate approximately 46% higher than that of Brazil.
Drug Use in Japan vs. Brazil
Brazil
Brazil faces significant challenges with drug use. The cocaine consumption rate is approximately 1,750 per 100,000 inhabitants, reflecting the high prevalence of drug use (NCDAS).
Japan
Japan recorded about 18,100 cases of drug-related crimes in 2023, with a rate of approximately 14 cases per 100,000 inhabitants (UNODC).
Comparison
- Drug UseBrazil has a significantly higher drug use rate than Japan, with a cocaine use prevalence of 1,750 per 100,000 inhabitants compared to 14 per 100,000 inhabitants in Japan.
Deaths by Medical Error
Brazil
It is estimated that around 55,000 annual deaths in Brazil are attributed to medical errors. These errors include diagnostic failures, medication mistakes, surgical complications, and other types of failures in medical care (Revista Pesquisa Fapesp) (The Hub).
Japan
In Japan, it is estimated that between 5,000 to 10,000 annual deaths may be attributed to medical errors. Although the statistics are lower compared to Brazil, medical errors still represent a significant problem in the Japanese healthcare system (Nippon.com | Your Doorway to Japan) (The Hub).
Comparison
- Deaths by Medical ErrorBrazil has a significantly higher rate of deaths from medical errors compared to Japan, with about 55,000 annual deaths compared to 5,000 to 10,000 deaths in Japan.
Deaths from Natural Disasters
Brazil
Brazil has a low incidence of deaths from natural disasters due to its geographic location. However, events such as floods, landslides, and severe storms cause deaths annually. Between 2000 and 2023, approximately 2,500 deaths due to natural disasters were recorded in Brazil (The Brazilian Report).
Japan
Japan, due to its geographical location, is frequently hit by earthquakes, tsunamis, and typhoons. Between 2000 and 2023, Japan recorded approximately 20,000 deaths caused by natural disasters. Notable events include the earthquake and tsunami of 2011, which caused around 15,894 deaths, demonstrating the country's vulnerability to these disasters (ReliefWeb).
Comparison
- Natural DisastersAlthough Japan records a significantly higher number of deaths from natural disasters compared to Brazil, these disasters are generally rare and occur over decades. The frequency of catastrophic events such as earthquakes and tsunamis in Japan is lower, but when they occur, they result in a high number of deaths due to their magnitude and impact.
Work Accident Deaths
Brazil
In 2023, Brazil recorded a rate of 7.4 deaths per 100,000 workers in workplace accidents. These accidents frequently occur in sectors such as construction, transportation, and agriculture, reflecting the need for improvements in workplace safety conditions in these sectors (Work Injury Source).
Japan
In Japan, the occupational mortality rate is significantly lower. In 2019, the rate was 1.4 deaths per 100,000 workers. Higher risk sectors include construction and manufacturing, where safety measures are strictly enforced to minimize risks (ILOSTAT).
Comparison
- Mortality RateBrazil has an occupational fatality rate approximately 5.3 times higher than that of Japan (7.4 vs. 1.4 per 100,000 workers).
Wrapping Up
The differences in crime rates and other statistics between Brazil and Japan are striking. Brazil presents significantly higher numbers in homicides, robberies, traffic accidents, and drug use, while Japan faces a greater challenge in terms of suicides. These data highlight the need for security and public health policies adapted to the realities of each country, aiming to reduce crime and improve the quality of life of their citizens.