Police Hunt Otaku

Funny, he seems to be dressed like an average American high school kid.

(ID #69184) Posted on 2008/01/10 01:54

reply to x33b's comment

ahahah, good point.
As far as I can tell, not a valid one, but I laughed all the same!

(ID #171164) Posted on 2008/04/16 09:03

reply to Tako's comment

I would have to agree with. Well, unless style changed in 4 years that I graduated from high school, but rarely anyone wears camouflage pants. I hope!

(ID #275940) Posted on 2008/08/24 03:55

reply to Boris's comment

So does that mean Storm Trooper can't carry his gun next time he goes out chilling?

(ID #69185) Posted on 2008/01/10 01:58

reply to umbrae's comment

umbrae,
The police officer didn't mention blasters so I guess its still OK ^^;

(ID #69187) Posted on 2008/01/10 02:02

reply to Danny Choo's comment

Perhaps from all the complaints that there was little police enforcent in general.  More of a force, "we are doing something" type thing.  Why bother Yakuza when you really don't want to be doing this in the first place.  It's not like Otaku are gonna give them trouble.

(ID #69188) Posted on 2008/01/10 02:11

reply to chojin's comment

Are they looking for pedo porn

(ID #69189) Posted on 2008/01/10 02:16

reply to wildarmsheero's comment

Ozumi-san is brave.

(ID #69190) Posted on 2008/01/10 02:20

reply to nebulus's comment

Often what seems to be the oddest things will motivate police to start checking.  chojin is probably right.  Wonder if it could have anything to do with Otaku being hunted by criminals?  Have you heard anything more about that Danny?  Is it still happening a lot or has their been a drop in that activity.

I guess in Japan people may not ask police questions if they get stopped.  Only contact I have had with the police in Japan is directions and like you, lost and found. 

(ID #69191) Posted on 2008/01/10 02:20

reply to Edward's comment

Wow! Is it legal for the police in Japan to do that kind of profiling? Wonder what would happen to a gaijin dressed the same way.

(ID #69192) Posted on 2008/01/10 02:20

reply to Steve Keys's comment

@Steve Keys: They sure can and do.  For us gaijin we better have our passport or gaijin card.  If one does not have it with them, it's BIG trouble... ^^;

(ID #69193) Posted on 2008/01/10 02:27

reply to Edward's comment

i know japan has some weird things that even make me scratch my head and this is one of them *scratches head*

i'm starting to wonder what's the general public or at least the police force's current perspective, opinion and take on the otaku. maybe otaku racism is still in the minds of the general public

(ID #69194) Posted on 2008/01/10 02:33

reply to Henry's comment

Wow, I am shocked and amazed that authorities *anywhere* in the world would profile and harass people who are being attacked rather than the aggressors, simply because they're easier to intimidate.
Shocked and amazed. Aren't you shocked and amazed? I know I'm shocked. AND amazed.

(ID #69195) Posted on 2008/01/10 02:34

reply to Vic Fieger's comment

god....pretty tough to be an standing otaku this days looks like we are not good looked in certain places...guess just have to keep a low profile

(ID #69197) Posted on 2008/01/10 03:29

reply to tsukishi69's comment

well im glad my best friends got a law degree, saves me from getting caught with weapons or anything else i might have trouble explaning

(ID #69198) Posted on 2008/01/10 03:35

reply to little-hollow's comment

Srsly, are Otakus that dangerous and alarming that authorities take such measures?

what can otakus do? attack people with their dakimakuras, PVC figures and Idol DVDs?

O.o

(ID #69199) Posted on 2008/01/10 03:39

reply to Henry's comment

Ah oui, sometimes I carry a weapon :3. Not a gun or anything, but when I'm walking around downtown (especially late at night), it's always good to have something. I've been jumped before (kinda funny though, i beat the guys up that jumped me ^_^;;;) but you know... better safe the sorry right?

(ID #69200) Posted on 2008/01/10 03:41

reply to laughingman's comment

I always have my CRKT M16 daily carry knife in a pocket. I carry a Kimber Lifeact in my backpack.  I also have a Surefire Defender flashlight with the 120Lum bulb in the car. I need to get a new pistol to make use of my CCW permit though. 

(ID #69201) Posted on 2008/01/10 04:09

reply to gregory_gdp's comment

Don't know about other countries... but here in Brazil, it's not really good to carry a weapon around.
Even if you do have a license.

Mainly because robbers here won't hesitate to take a shot at you if you have one. So you put your life more at risk if you carry a weapon.

And believe me... all the macho talk about how you need a weapon to protect yourself in case of robbery won't work in a real life situation, unless you have not only weapon training, but also police training.

Someone without those will only put his/her life and other lives at risk.

IMHO.

Anyways, nice one from Tantei File. 
But as long as policemen aren't abusing on this, they just might have reasons for that... who knows, maybe they have some criminal profile that just fits those characteristics.

After all, those don't necessarily describe otakus... right?

(ID #69202) Posted on 2008/01/10 04:27

reply to XSportSeeker's comment

That profiling is really something else.  Profiling isn't uncommon among police, but FRUITLESS profiling is.  This could be discrimination at its height, or they may have seen some issues kept private.  FWIW, I've heard more than one American police officer say they keep an eye on Star Wars fanatics because of the number of pedophiles who end up having tons of Star wars memorabilia.  Many obsessive people tend to latch on to something they can indulge in, so I'd imagine otaku pursuits are known in a similar way.  

HOWEVER, for the police to profile based on otaku stereotypes is to seriously mistake the correlation and the demographic.  I don't doubt that this is possible in Japan, but... the list sounds more like a description of gang attire that is easily confused with otaku attire.  (The "looks weak" in combination with any of the above would be a good sign of a weapon, since larger gang member sorts wouldn't necessarily be as inclined to carry them).  

Or it could be an effort to simply harass obvious otaku until they stay out of the area.  

As for carrying weapons, yes, I do.  I am licensed to carry a firearm, and do so every day.  My pocketknife doesn't count as much of a weapon, but ignorant people who apparently never need to cut anything find it threatening.  People being unarmed works OK until some one comes along to take advantage of their vulnerability (like any school shooting, or any case of a large person assaulting a smaller one).  God made men, Samuel Colt made them equal.  

(ID #69203) Posted on 2008/01/10 04:36

reply to Mac's comment

Those guys wearing blue jackets and blue caps look weird to me ! The Akiba/Shinjiku otakus should create a milice and check them out when they are spotted around !

(ID #69204) Posted on 2008/01/10 04:36

reply to Dedale's comment

XSportSeeker, 

It's true that without training a weapon can be a liability, but it really does not take much to achieve competence.  Mastering can take time, but learning the basics (more than enough to adequately defend yourself without harming others) is actually an easy process that takes not much time at all.  

Great police officers often have much firearm training, but most (perfectly capable, good) police officers have very little.  

(ID #69205) Posted on 2008/01/10 04:41

reply to Mac's comment

To Danny:

"..A good question was raised as to why people who look and dress like Yakuza (plenty of them in Shinjuku who definitely carry knives) don't get stopped by police and yet otaku (who are unlikely to be carrying a knife) have a high probability of being stopped..."

The reason for this is, that Japanese Police wouldn't DARE to stop a Yakuza member on the street, for a couple reasons.

1. They are too scared of the Yakuza.
Yakuza thugs are real tough, where as the police are like reject Safeway security guards.

2.The Police know EXACTLY what the Yakuza are doing at all times. They just dont care. Often the chief of police will be sitting down for drinks the the head of a local Yakuza family any given day.

3.The Yakuza actually keep the streets safe (!) Ever wonder why there is so little street crime in Japan? The Yakuza won't tolerate it. They are into big-time corporate style crime, and extortion.

More info available if anyone wants it.

(ID #69206) Posted on 2008/01/10 05:21

reply to Sean's comment

Sean,
Thanks for the info! More please!
How does one befriend Yakuza for example and how much does one have to pay them?

(ID #69207) Posted on 2008/01/10 05:34

reply to Danny Choo's comment

Ridiculous, but not surprising.

(ID #69209) Posted on 2008/01/10 05:59

reply to Neil Duckett's comment

Carrying a weapon? Well that depends on what you define as a weapon.

I always have my leatherman surge with me and it has an 8cm long locking blade. Not a weapon in my opinion but in the UK they define that as a weapon and you are not allowed to carry it on you :p.

Do they have the same kind of restrictions in Japan?

I also carry pepper spray and a collapsible baton with me when I go out. Usually the pepper spray is enough.
I was thinking about carrying a pistol as well but it is usually quite easy to spot and then you become the target.

Are you allowed to carry handguns in Japan?

(ID #69210) Posted on 2008/01/10 06:26

reply to Wolfblitz's comment

Hey Danny,

To befriend the Yakuza is free, to do business with them is another thing..

I have made quite a few Yakuza friends over the years (not close friends, mind..) in Osaka, Kyoto & Tokyo (Hachioji).

Someone like your self - a successful Gaijin  entrepreneurs may NEVER have to really deal with the Yakuza families. Its probably better that way, anyway.

My first Yakuza experience was in Kyoto back in 1999, when I went to stay with my girlfriend who still at university at the time. I was trying to get a job at some Gaijin bars but it was too hard without any kind of visa... Then I met some Israelis on the street who were selling jewelry and watches, mostly brought in from Thailand. I started to work for the Israelis, who would take advantage of their "white Gaijin" looks to sell WAY overpriced necklaces and rings to drunk businessmen. The prevailant Yakuza group in the area was the Yamaguchi-gumi, the biggest Yakuza family in Japan. I was told by my Israeli boss "If they come by your stall give them ANYTHING they want." One Yakuza in particular stoodd out to me , really, really friendly guy. He always did martial arts demonstrations in front of me, which was supposed to be (and was) very impressive. We owed 40% of all earnings to the Yamaguchi-gumi. In returned the police would NEVER bother us (even though what we were doing was illegal). If there was going to be a police raid, we would know a week in advance. That way we knew to not have our pass-ports on us, etc. Sometimes the Yakuza boys (the younger ones) would invite us for drinks and we would have a right laugh. Kansai people are fun to drink with anyway, but these guys lived life on the edge, so they really knew how to let loose!

I quit after a few months, as I got a better paid job teaching English to 7 year olds at a private school.

Generally I found the Yakuza to be really interested in foreigners, obsessed with American gangster films, Elvis, etc. They are some of the most honest Japanese people I've ever met. They just say whats on their mind (like we do in the West, and are always expecting Japanese people to do at some point..)

Nowadays, it seems like most of the Israeli street dealers are gone, sadly. Last time I was in Tokyo, I could only find one!

But to answer your question a little more, no matter what business you are in you will end up giving money to the Yakuza.

They own a large percentage, if not all of the proceeds from Pachinko (Billions of $$ a year), Pornography (I think most people here have part-taken in a lil' Japanese porn..) the Hostessing industry, the sex industry (100%), but also normal places like bars, restaurants and even whole department stores and whole train stations in down-town Tokyo !!!!

More info available if anyone is interested.

(ID #69211) Posted on 2008/01/10 06:31

reply to Sean's comment

Maybe they're actually searching for  otaku hunters to aid the "defenseless otaku."  Lol, tough luck...nice.

(ID #69212) Posted on 2008/01/10 06:32

reply to syrix's comment

Collapsible steel baton, pepper spray, high-powered flashlight and a folding blade. Standard issued, goes with me anywhere from shopping trips to eating out. Perhaps a little paranoid but anything that would give me a little bit of fighting chance when things turn ugly helps. Never been stopped by an officer though. Not like as if authorities here are any reliable anyway.

(ID #69213) Posted on 2008/01/10 06:36

reply to Hangmen13's comment

Wow, talk about biases...

i guess the police are afraid of the yakuza (whom, in my opinion, seems to be much bolder and better armed). but the otaku appears 'soft', so ( to keep in check growing cries from critics who label otakus as pedos?) the policemen go for 'em.

(ID #69214) Posted on 2008/01/10 06:42

reply to radical anime fan's comment

Thanks Sean... very interesting infos about yakuza ! ;)

(ID #69215) Posted on 2008/01/10 06:49

reply to Glass's comment

@Sean,

thanks for the info! :) that's really helpful.

(ID #69216) Posted on 2008/01/10 07:16

reply to 10116222's comment

i carry a switchblade.. from the army surplus store which is pretty good quality but.. yeah... the cops around sacramento ca usa dont pull me over because i dont dress emo or ghetto...

(ID #69217) Posted on 2008/01/10 07:30

reply to ケヴィン's comment

@sean

that was really interesting - would you consider putting more stories online somewhere? 

(ID #69218) Posted on 2008/01/10 07:38

reply to AndyboyH's comment

Andy - I'll be in Birmingham soon, could just tell you in person!

But seriously, I feel bad now after such a massive post which is supposed to be all about the Otaku Police Hunt!!

What else do people want to know about the Yakuza system? How they treat their women? How they dispose of bodies? How much money they usually carry around?

(ID #69221) Posted on 2008/01/10 08:06

reply to Sean's comment

hell, u can always use pen or pencil as a weapon if u stab it in the neck.
anything is a weapon in human hand

@sean
dispose of body? u got involved in that 1? ;). and nice to know yakuza are not an a-hole.
we got what we call "preman" here. a truly mere unorganized thugs, mainly sell drugs, or "asking" money to ppl(i dunno how to word this :) ), and they are an a-hole

(ID #69225) Posted on 2008/01/10 08:45

reply to hendrik's comment

Ozumi-san is pure win lol.
I might have missed something here, why the otaku hunt?

I dont dress like one, but I AM an otaku so if i do roam there i possibly could get in trouble with my knife. =/

(ID #69226) Posted on 2008/01/10 08:50

reply to ChiisaiRamen's comment

Coppers are stupid everywhere lmao. I loved the article.

(ID #69227) Posted on 2008/01/10 09:14

reply to davortech's comment

I'm sure the police are looking for the Droids.

(ID #69228) Posted on 2008/01/10 09:17

reply to Zer0's comment

I know now why the profiling works like that.

These same set of clothes mentioned in the OP are the same kinds that gangsters/delinquents/etc would be likely to wear.

(ID #69230) Posted on 2008/01/10 09:44

reply to orcinus's comment

But I know one thing for sure. Do not judge a book by its cover :D

(ID #69232) Posted on 2008/01/10 10:10

reply to Gundam Otaku's comment

tell u wat:
i'v always got a bbgun with me everywere i go!

(ID #69233) Posted on 2008/01/10 10:15

reply to shunny's comment

LOL, I can imagine the Japanese police seeying an otaku and a yakuza walking over street and then they think hmmmm.... lets take the most dangerous one! the otaku ofcourse!
lol, this is sooooooo corrupt i wouldnt be happy with this news if i were a Japanese citizen, if it happened here it'd be my first time i would walk in a demonstration.

(ID #69234) Posted on 2008/01/10 10:19

reply to メタルおたくmetalotaku's comment

This is an abuse of privacy, now police in Japan are stopping people by what they're wearing? That is something that would never happen or never has happen here as I recall. I wonder if they stop gaijins to ask the same questions and do the same thing. If I was stopped more than once by this in a week I would probably make a complaint at my embassy. I was only stopped like this in New York to enter the Empire State Building but nothing else.

(ID #69235) Posted on 2008/01/10 10:20

reply to CrazyAnimeTuga's comment

i always carryed with me a pepper spray not those weak civilian versions but the ones used by police especially when i was going out at night
but got rid of it because i could risk 5 years just for carrying it

(ID #69236) Posted on 2008/01/10 10:40

reply to achraf1989's comment

Sean,

I am really surprised to find that Yakuza is the main reason why street crimes rate remains low in Japan.

This raises the question to me: are there other factors that are contributing, as much as what has been contributed by Yakuza, to the low street crimes rate in Japan? 

I am really curious since I personally dislike Yakuza and their types (mafia in Italy and triad in China), hence I really find it hard to believe that Yakuza is actually the main reason of Japan's low street crimes rate.

I prefer to believe that it is due to the higher moral quality of the Japanese that street crimes rate remains low in Japan, but I am prepared to accept the otherwise, especially after reading this article about Japanese delivery driver raping his customers.. 
http://mdn.mainichi.jp/national/news/20080109p2a00m0na001000c.html

(ID #69237) Posted on 2008/01/10 10:43

reply to Benjamin Takeyo's comment

Sean,

I forgot to say thanks for the information ^_^

(ID #69238) Posted on 2008/01/10 10:44

reply to Benjamin Takeyo's comment

Would like to see the police go through that belongings of a Otaku , only to see a picture of the otaku holding a rifle (Real). Would love to see that.

(ID #69239) Posted on 2008/01/10 10:49

reply to Risedawn's comment

1-People wearing camouflage trousers or jacket 
2-People with chains or keys (hanging off trousers) 
3-Looks weak (!) 
4-People wearing a bandanna 
5-People wearing leather 

Hmmm looks like I would be ok, you could really only get me for #2, but if I were to visit Japan there is no need to carry around my house key or car key since they are 8,000+ miles away!

I think it is a major coincidence though- even if the majority stopped are otaku. Police will do that a lot here in the States- anyone who looks like they could cause trouble will, in general be questioned briefly. 

I'd understand if dressing like this is a "personal expression" as it is called here in the USA, however the reality of it all is that people who cause trouble dress like this, and if you dress like them too then you will be questioned. I have nothing against "personal expression" but common sense tells me to find another fashion style.

I will be prepared when I visit to Japan! I'll make sure to have me passport with me.

(ID #69240) Posted on 2008/01/10 11:10

reply to -XYZPDQ's comment

its like zetsubou sensei ep12. if you look so obviously guilty, you cant be guilty.

(ID #69241) Posted on 2008/01/10 11:12

reply to Setsuna-san's comment

one thing i always tell myself most of the time u can't trust the system to protect u all the time.cos they wuld only take action only after the crime has been comitted rather than preventing it when you have the chance to fight back.meaning to say fight off your attacker.

(ID #69244) Posted on 2008/01/10 11:38

reply to animefreak222's comment

@setsuna san
I remember that, hah good example XD

(ID #69245) Posted on 2008/01/10 11:46

reply to ChiisaiRamen's comment

I was thinking about this while walking and remembered that there are a form of otaku known as military otaku. Perhaps it might be unrelated, but some military enthusiasts might take to carrying around some sort of weapon.

Just my thoughts on this.

(ID #69248) Posted on 2008/01/10 12:34

reply to Sylon Beta's comment

4chan weapons board =P

(ID #69250) Posted on 2008/01/10 12:54

reply to Louis's comment

the guy in the pic sorta reminds me of a character in some old King Of Fighters game called Benny or Benny maru??? i cant remember but her more or less dressed in exactly the same way.

which makes me wonder...

if me & a buddy were to dress up as Goku & vegita including the blonde & dark spikey hair wigs - running around having mock fights with each other would we get pulled over for questioning also? ^^ man i cant wait to go to japan

(ID #69251) Posted on 2008/01/10 13:20

reply to Hayden's comment

If a Leatherman multi-tool is a weapon, then yes I have. There was this other instance where I carried around my grandfather's 16-inch bayonet to a military model/gear enthusiasts' meeting.

(ID #69252) Posted on 2008/01/10 13:23

reply to Karl's comment

Seems a bit overboard and I somehow feel that otaku still are not accepted in the Japanese society. Too much zeal coming from the police, also.
Sad, really sad.

Sean, thanks for the great little pieces of info.

Setsuna-san: This part made me laugh and be sad at the same time, on how human logic can be twisted to a point. Can't wait to watch season two.

Hayden: Benimaru? You sure? I don't see anything resembling the weird MALE (yup, that's a guy) character of KoF.
He wearing the bandana makes me more think of Benitora from Samurai Deeper Kyo, but hey...

(ID #69253) Posted on 2008/01/10 13:53

reply to D_Blade's comment

Oh what I'd give to see the look on the policemen's faces XD

I don't carry a weapon, nor do I dress in that fashion (mostly), then again, I don't see the police here doing random searches anyway.

(ID #69254) Posted on 2008/01/10 14:00

reply to Aya Kyunik's comment

Well,I don't know about Japan,but generally,it's not allowed to search others' belongings without a warrant,consent or arrest.

(ID #69256) Posted on 2008/01/10 15:05

reply to Grieverheart's comment

hoho hunting otaku, i don see the reason to stop otaku and doing some searching XD

(ID #69257) Posted on 2008/01/10 15:18

reply to Choo's comment

Why do the bother stopping MALE otaku...?

(ID #69260) Posted on 2008/01/10 15:53

reply to Sakari's comment

I think this has been going on for some time now. Apparently the police consider Otaku easy targets because they often carry craft knives or scissors to open the shrink wrap on their ero game purchases. I saw one being stopped by police in Akihabara last year. I carry a Leatherman micro tool everywhere, including in Japan, but I doubt if the police would stop a foreigner...

(ID #69261) Posted on 2008/01/10 15:54

reply to junq man's comment

I dont think there are many societies that DO understand the otaku culture. It seems we are outcasts everywhere, and of all places.. in Japan too. People dont like what they dont understand, foreigners, different religions, otakus... sigh. I think we need to tell the older generations to grow up. 

(ID #69265) Posted on 2008/01/10 17:45

reply to DRAGUN's comment

In a way, yes Otakus are still not widely accepted in open areas, especially in commerical and administrative areas like Shinjuku (people would think: "Why should they be here?").

And are you sure that they don't check on people suspiciously linked to Yakuza or Triads? I am pretty sure that I see a lot of people similar to that in Kabukichō (歌舞伎町) when I was there.

(ID #69266) Posted on 2008/01/10 17:53

reply to Quentin aka Q's comment

Surely it's at least a bit counterintuitive to pick out people that are weak, of all things? Then again, I've never really known authorities to think with any logic.

(ID #69267) Posted on 2008/01/10 17:58

reply to Deadly Lampshade's comment

police sucks all over the world. who decide to be a policeman often has some mental problem

(ID #69268) Posted on 2008/01/10 18:50

reply to Bakarazuka's comment

So I guess if I wear my leather jacket to Shinjuku I got some explaining to do...

(ID #69269) Posted on 2008/01/10 19:49

reply to Chris-クリス's comment

Sean: Thank a lot for this very interesting insight into the life of Yakuza :)

XSportSeeker: I think you are 100% right - police just "working the profile" given to them. They may not targeting otaku as a group but just someone who fits that description.
After all, why could not some sick person do something stupid while pertrnding to be otaku? Everyone knows otaku are harmless (more or less), right?

(ID #69270) Posted on 2008/01/10 20:28

reply to oxAndr's comment

I don't understand why the police have to do a routine inspection on people who wear those listed above...