The Police Box, or Koban, is a success, allowing for the community to interact with the police on a local level. Find out how it works.
Sayaka, Hiroki, and Manabu
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Script
I: Interviewer / P: Police officer / M: a Man
I: Good morning. This is Tokyo University news. I’m Sayaka and today I’ll introduce you to the Japanese police box, or Koban. First, let’s ask some questions to the police officer working there.
Good morning, officer. My name is Sayaka.
P: Good morning. My name is officer Sumida.
I: Will you explain what the Koban is?
P: Sure.
In a simple way, it is a small police station which is located in almost every town in Japan.
There always are several police officers there. We patrol around and defend citizens from every danger.
I: We have police boxes in England and some other countries, but there is usually no police officer in them.
P: That’s why we still use the word “Koban” as an English word. In a police box, there is only a telephone and we think it’s no use to protect citizens. Every time a citizen comes here and asks for help, we can soon go and help them. I think it’s the biggest difference between a police box and a Koban, and also, the biggest advantage.
I: That’s great!
How many Kobans are there in Japan?
P: There are about 6,000.
I: So many!
Okay, so let me know what you are most proud of as a Koban officer.
P: All right.
The Koban plays an important role to keep a high standard of public safety, which is rated very highly in other countries. As a result, in America, they set up Kobans. Indonesia and San Paulo, Brazil looked at Japan and set them up. In San Paulo, the number of crimes there was dramatically decreased thanks to the Kobans.
I: Wow, amazing!
Thank you for your time. Have a good day!
Now, what do local people think about Kobans? Here is another example.
Excuse me. Good morning, sir.
M: Good morning.
I: I’m Sayaka, a newscaster from Tokyo University Network.
I’d like to ask some questions about your Koban.
M: Sure.
I: Thank you. Do you think the Koban plays an important role to keep safety in society?
M: Am…
I’ve never thought about that before since we think it very ordinary that we have Kobans.
But I’m sure that makes us feel safe. I often see a police officer patrolling.
I: So you think it is good to have a Koban?
Do you have any stories with you and the Koban?
M: Last year, my 6-year-old boy got lost.
He went to the park with his friends, but he didn’t come back home though it was getting dark. My wife and I became worried and then the phone started ringing. It was from the police officer in the neighborhood Koban. He said “Your son is in Komaba Koban. Will you come and pick him up?”
When I got there, he and the officer were chatting in a friendly way. I was very relieved. He was very kind and helpful.
I: Good for you!
M: And when you go to a new place and you don’t know which way to go, you can go to the Koban. The police officers will show you the way. For me, it is very helpful. I have no sense of direction.
I: Oh, like breeds like!
Thank you for your time, sir.
Kobans seem to be very important for us and Japanese society.
This has been a broadcast of the Tokyo University Network.
Thank you for listening. See you!