Police harassment over expired commuter pass?

I live in Tokyo. I work near Ikebukuro and live about an hour walk away. I often don’t take the train because of this, so I’ve not bothered to update my commuter pass since it’s expired and I can’t be asked to cram into a crowded train.

Since last week I keep getting stopped by this police officer who asks me a lot of questions. I showed my residence card to him and he let me go but almost every time I’m walking home at night I get stopped by him. Recently he asked to see my commuter pass and wouldn’t get out of my face until I showed it so I caved but then he questioned me for about an hour about why it’s expired and what am I really doing before letting me go. This keeps happening. Some days it’s five minutes. Some days it’s a half hour or longer, and I’m so frustrated. I just want to go home. I think this is harassment isn’t it? Who can I contact to complain? I tried going into the local police box to complain but they held me for two hours turned my bag inside out and said I shouldn’t go outside after 8pm because it’s suspicious. It’s such bullshit.

Edit:

Thanks everyone for the advice. Really appreciate all the help. Only been in Japan a couple of months now and I’m not sure what is normal and what isn’t. Lately I’ve been so anxious walking home but this helps a lot. Leaving now hopefully I don’t get stopped again.

Edit. I just got stopped by the cop again. I tried to fulm hum but he grabbed the phone out of my hand and smashed it under his boot. Then he hit me and said I was scum and rode off on his bicycle.

I cried all the way home and am now typing this on my computer. I don’t know what to do. The cops last words still ring in my ears.

“DON’T BELIEVE WHAT YOU READ ON THE INTERNET”

Goddamn you are a bunch of gullible fucks. No wonder this place is a joke.

20 comments
  1. Complaints about individual police should be made to the prefectural police headquarters. In addition, pursuant to Article 79 of the Police Law (complaints, etc.), complaints may be submitted in writing to the relevant prefectural public safety commission.

    In your case, you would go to the [Metropolitan Police Department in Kasumigaseki](https://goo.gl/maps/5wFRuKn2uWSsM3vn8). Written complaint can go to the [Tokyo Metropolitan Public Safety Commission](https://www.kouaniinkai.metro.tokyo.jp/) located [just up the street](https://goo.gl/maps/WNZgJNhux8qAjNps6) from the metro police.

  2. Sorry that you are experiencing this. It is really bizarre. Is it the same cop every time? Uniformed cop or plainclothes?

    You’d expect that he’d remember you if it is the same cop every time.

  3. Wait… Is using an expired commuter pass illegal in some way?? I’ve been using an “expired” Suica pass for years and just loading money onto the card as I need to.

  4. That cop is harassing you for some reason. You should probably make a complaint about it. Maybe consult with a lawyer or an immigrant’s right group first but that harassment should be reported.

  5. Weird considering the fact that they normally work as a duo, not as a single person. The fact that there is nobody to check on his work ethic is scary.

  6. just walking? No bicycle? I didnt know they could stop you just from walking. You might need the help of a Japanese speaker to clear things out, at least so he can remember you and stop this madness

  7. One of my friends just started talking to the police while walking and apparently it worked. Just like “一緒に歩きましょう”.

    Seems like the officers just thought it was more trouble than it’s worth to question someone like that lol.

  8. Not sure about your company situation, but it might be worthwhile to tell your boss. I imagine your boss might have a vested interest in his/her employee not getting harassed by the police. I imagine if this dipshit realizes that he might actually get in trouble, then he’ll back off.

  9. ACAB. But ya, do report the guy for harassment. I had a friend stopped in a similar fashion and he eventually got sick of it and complained. He hasn’t been stopped since.

  10. Never heard of anything quite like this. Unless you’re a suspect and he’s checking your alibi he has zero reason to check your teiki. You are free to walk around anytime, for any reason. Why don’t you invite him to your workplace? But seriously, I’d get his name and badge number. Don’t alter your behavior in any way.

  11. I admire your self-restraint…

    May be you are walking / breathing suspiciously… or suspiciously wrong “color of shirt”…

  12. Op u 5? `This place`s a joke` – says the guy who created a fake acc to mess around on Reddit…

  13. So you go through the hassle of creating and then deleting Reddit account and making this big post to prove….that you are so smart by “tricking” people here? Not sure you should be sitting in judgement of others here.

    ​

    Edit: And then someone, possibly OP, messages me from a new account about some “red pill” bullshit and how easy it is to create accounts, some people really need better hobbies….

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