Koban (交番) are the small and famous police boxes in Japan. The word koban can also refer to a small police unit. There are over 6,000 police boxes scattered throughout Japan.
In these small urban posts, few police officers work, who act preventively, advising and helping the local community. Koban are very useful and you can turn to them if:
- Lost or found any item of value
- Was robbed or threatened
- tried to molest you
- Borrowing money...
- use a phone
- When having an accident
- Find maps and directions
That's right, if you have been robbed or lost your wallet, you can ask a koban for help, they will analyze your case and even lend you money to return home.
Police stations are often located near stations, banks, and entertainment areas. They are built in strategic locations to prevent criminal activity, as well as to provide community support. Most of the time, the koban are used to ask for information, find street addresses, and report a loss.
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Curiosidades sobre os koban
A koban can be found in almost every neighborhood, with more than 1200 police stations in Tokyo alone. Unfortunately, not all are open 24 hours a day, but in a large number of koban, you may be able to find at least one officer. Another curiosity is that most police stations in Japan have unique architectures and are designed to blend in with the neighborhood or city.
In rural areas instead of the koban, there are the chuzaisho (駐在所) which are residences that have the same purpose, but only one officer and their family live there.
Each koban is usually composed of a group of 4 police officers - There are 3 officials under the command of a sergeant working in 3 shifts of 8 hours under the control of the area. Most of the time, it is young and elderly people who make up a police station.
Police stations usually have a red light or a pair of red lights above the doors, as well as a five-pointed golden star. Officers also often have this five-pointed golden star on their shoulder in their uniform.
Communicating in a Koban
If you don't want to go to a police station, you can contact them through the numbers 110 (for emergencies) and 9110 (non-emergencies). Below we will leave some phrases and information that will help you if you need to communicate in a koban:
最寄りの交番はどこにありますか？
Moyori no kōban wa doko ni arimasu ka?
Where is the nearest police station?
秋葉原の行き方を教えてください。
Akihabara no ikikata o oshiete kudasai.
Please give me directions on how to get to Akihabara.
パスポートを落としてしまいました。
Pasupōto wo otoshite shimaimashita.
I left my passport somewhere.
鞄を盗まれました。
Kaban wo nusumaremashita.
My bag was stolen.
痴漢に会いました。
Chikan ni aimashita.
I found a pervert.
電話を貸してください。
Denwa wo kashite kudasai.
Can I use the phone, please? (lend me).
