Lecture from the Kofu Police for first-year students 2025

Jan 30, 2025
2 min read

Updated: Feb 5, 2025

Hey everyone! Today was a special day—we had a police officer come to our school to give a lecture to all the first-year students. It was packed with useful tips and reminders about staying safe and following the rules in Japan.

Here’s what stood out to me:

Lock It Up! Did you know burglaries are on the rise in Japan? The officer stressed how important it is to lock your house and bicycle properly. I guess it’s better to be safe than sorry!
Don’t Be That Person Doing things that annoy others—like slashing someone’s bike tires or stealing money—isn’t just mean; it’s actually a crime. Let’s all try to be good neighbors!
Found Something? Turn It In! If you ever find a lost item, make sure to hand it over to the police. It’s the right thing to do, and who knows? You might make someone’s day!
Watch Out for Shady Jobs The police also warned us about “dark part-time jobs” (illegal or sketchy work). If an offer sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Stay safe out there!
Your Residence Card Is Your Lifeline Always, and I mean always, carry your residence card with you. And don’t forget to renew it every six months! It’s a hassle, but it’s super important.
Accidents Happen If you’re ever in an accident—whether you caused it or not—call your teacher and the police right away. Don’t panic, but don’t ignore it either.
Think Before You Snap When taking photos in public, avoid capturing anything that could identify someone’s private property. Respect people’s privacy!
Keep It Down at Night Noise complaints are a big deal here, especially at night. So, let’s keep the party vibes indoors and the volume low after dark.
Bicycle Rules 101
Riding a bike in Japan comes with rules:

No doubling up (one person at a time!).
No texting while riding, don't carry a phone in your hand while riding.
No holding an umbrella while cycling (you can get a bike umbrella holder instead).
No riding side by side with friends.

Overall, it was a super informative session, and I feel like we learned a lot. Japan is an amazing place to live, but it’s important to follow the rules and stay mindful of others. Let’s all do our part to keep it safe and friendly! 😊