December is the last month of the year and we Japanese are busy preparing for the New Year because New Year celebrations are the most anticipated event throughout Japan, much like Christmas in Western countries. Every Japanese person wants to wear new clothes for Hatsumode (the first visit to a shrine in the New Year) and have Osechi-ryori, a traditional Japanese meal, specially prepared for the New Year which often consists of lobsters, kazunoko (herring roe) and other foods.
Thieves also want to get money to prepare for their New Year so the number of robberies increases in December. Moreover December is a cold, dry and windy season in Japan, especially on the Pacific Ocean side, and the risk of fire multiplies dramatically.
As such, Japanese people have, for many years, been aware of the heightened risk of theft and fire damage, with many local neighbourhood associations voluntarily participating in anti-crime and fire-prevention activities. Japanese local governments and police support these activities by participating in them and providing financial assistance.
Neighbourhood associations organise groups that walk around their towns every night chanting ‘Hi no youjin!’ (Be careful with fire!) and beating wooden clappers, since fire is the most dangerous hazard in Japanese towns as many of our houses are made primarily of wood. At the same time, they also look out for suspicious characters and/or activities.
Thus it can be said that the very low rate of crime in Japan is, in part, maintained by the voluntary cooperation of our residents.
YOI OTOSHI WO! Have a great 2017!
Katsunori Kamibo
Director
