Japan Feels Safe
People often say that Japan is a safe country. After living and traveling in different countries, I have noticed one thing. In Japan, people usually do not pay much attention to what is happening around them. They do not worry about who is walking behind them, who is coming toward them, or who is standing nearby.
When I travel overseas, I completely change my mindset. When I walk through a busy city, or ride a bus or subway, I always watch the people around me. On public transportation, I even decide where to stand after looking at the people nearby.
My Experiences with Pickpockets
I have come across pickpockets twice while traveling abroad.
The first time happened in Egypt. I was walking down a street when a man coming toward me lightly bumped into me. I wondered why he did that. A few moments later, I realized that my mobile phone was gone. I had kept it in my shirt pocket.
The second time happened on the subway in Italy.
As I tried to get on the train, the man in front of me stepped inside and suddenly stopped. He blocked my way. At that moment, another man behind me reached for the back pocket of my jeans. I noticed him immediately. I pushed the man in front of me and got onto the train. Just before the doors closed, the man in front stepped back onto the platform. They were clearly working together.
Crowded Trains in Tokyo
Tokyo is famous for its crowded commuter trains. Many people live in the suburbs because the railway network reaches far outside the city center. Every morning, they travel into central Tokyo for work. The trains become incredibly crowded. People stand shoulder to shoulder, and sometimes they cannot even move.
Even in these conditions, however, I rarely hear about pickpockets. I am sure they exist from time to time, but they are not a serious social problem.
The Back Pocket
Here is one scene that shows how safe Japan is.
Look at the back pockets of Japanese men. Most Japanese men carry a wallet. Inside are cash, credit cards, a driver’s license, and other important items. Some people even carry several 10,000-yen bills and multiple credit cards.
Many men keep their wallet in their right back pocket. The reason is simple. It is easy to take out, and most people are right-handed. When they pay at a store, they naturally reach into their right back pocket with their right hand.
Some men even carry a long wallet that sticks out of their back pocket. Some people may think this is part of fashion, but you can often see young men walking around like this.
A Different View from Overseas
To many people overseas, this may look like a message that says,
“Please take my wallet.”
Whenever I return to Japan from another country and see this, I cannot help feeling a little worried.
Of course, nothing usually happens. That is exactly why I think this is one of the small scenes that shows how safe Japan really is.
A Surprise in the UK
I had another interesting experience when I lived in the UK. One day, I went to a department store to buy a pair of trousers. I found a design that I liked, but something surprised me.
There were no back pockets.
I remember thinking, “Where am I supposed to keep my wallet?”
Later, after talking with my British coworkers, I understood why. Most of them carried their wallet in a front pocket. Simply they did not need back pockets.
Different Ways of Thinking
I imagine the reason is simple. People want to avoid pickpockets. Another possible reason is cost. If people do not need back pockets, clothing companies can save money by leaving them out. That seems like a practical way of thinking.
Japan is different. Even if something is not always necessary, Japanese people often keep it if it might become useful someday. Why do we think this way?
I wonder if it comes from the environment we live in. Japan faces many natural disasters, such as earthquakes, typhoons, tsunamis, and heavy rain. Because of this, Japanese people have developed the habit of preparing for the unexpected. We often keep things just in case we may need them later.
A Small Detail That Says a Lot
This has been a very small and rather unusual topic. Still, I think it offers an interesting way to understand the different cultures and ways of thinking in Japan and overseas.
The next time you walk through the streets of Japan, take a look at the back pockets of Japanese men. Then, I hope you will remember this story.
Originally published on Jul 17 2026
