Mick Rich 78 Posted September 8, 2012 Share Posted September 8, 2012 I live on the 3rd floor of a share house and this morning heard someone knocking on a housemate’s door along my corridor, which was nothing unusual so thought nothing more of it. Then there was a knock on my door so I opened it to find a policeman standing there. I was a little surprised (as I guess he was, faced by a semi-naked foreigner) because our main door is self-locking, so you can only get inside if you know the code or someone lets you in. Anyway, he showed me his ID and asked me to write down my details on one of a bunch of A4-sized cards he was holding. From what I could gather from my limited understanding of nihongo, he was going around the neighbourhood compiling a list of all the residents, as opposed to searching for something or someone, which was my first thought. It seemed legit, so I gave him my details, namely my name, dob, keitai-bango, employer's name and address and how long I'd lived at the house. Then he continued on down the corridor, asking for the details of the other (Japanese) housemates and no-one seemed to object, so I guess it was nothing unusual. However, this is the first time in 3 years that I’ve experienced this, so wondered if anyone else has encountered the same or similar?? Link to post Share on other sites
Metabo Oyaji 71 Posted September 8, 2012 Share Posted September 8, 2012 Nope. Sure it was a real policeman? Might not hurt to check with the local koban. Most likely nothing, but you never know. Link to post Share on other sites
snowdude 44 Posted September 8, 2012 Share Posted September 8, 2012 Yes police officer came to our house last year actually asking for the same. it is perfectly normal, and they ask everyone not just foreigners. It is so they know who is in the area and who belongs where, for safety more than anything. He was very friendly in fact and we even had a good long chat. Link to post Share on other sites
Chriselle 158 Posted September 8, 2012 Share Posted September 8, 2012 Yep....they make their rounds every once in while. No agenda I'm sure. Link to post Share on other sites
NoFakie 45 Posted September 8, 2012 Share Posted September 8, 2012 One turned up at our place the other day. Link to post Share on other sites
NoFakie 45 Posted September 8, 2012 Share Posted September 8, 2012 Sure it was a real policeman? Might not hurt to check with the local koban. I would definitely report anyone who wants to take down your particulars! Link to post Share on other sites
cal 6 Posted September 8, 2012 Share Posted September 8, 2012 Just once, had a policeman come round and do something like that. Link to post Share on other sites
Thundercat 60 Posted September 8, 2012 Share Posted September 8, 2012 You can politely (coz that's how we do things around here) deny their request to take down information. From what I understand, the police used to just get all of that information from the city hall until it was deemed unconsitutional under Japanese law. So now they go door to door, but you are not obliged to answer any of their questions... because it's unconstitutional... strange, ne. Link to post Share on other sites
best skier in hakuba 5 Posted September 9, 2012 Share Posted September 9, 2012 Have heard of it, but never had a policeman knock on my door. Link to post Share on other sites
Mick Rich 78 Posted September 9, 2012 Author Share Posted September 9, 2012 Thanks for the replies guys - sounds as though it's legit! Sure it was a real policeman? Might not hurt to check with the local koban. I would definitely report anyone who wants to take down your particulars! Had my friendly officer been a woman, I might have invited her in so she could have taken them down for herself! Link to post Share on other sites
brit-gob 9 Posted September 10, 2012 Share Posted September 10, 2012 I was a bit uneasy when a policeman came round to my place, I did the old couldn't speak Japanese well thing and he went away. Link to post Share on other sites
charlotte 0 Posted September 10, 2012 Share Posted September 10, 2012 I screen all my visitors. (Apart from the bats of course!) Link to post Share on other sites
Chriselle 158 Posted September 10, 2012 Share Posted September 10, 2012 This all reminds me of when I was living up in Hokkaido. Every other week a Jehovas Witness would come around. Usually I'm very polite and just say no thank you .......but not to this witness. She was GORGEOUS!! We had many a flirty conversation at my door. Then one day she asked if she could bring a friend along next time. I reluctantly said..sure. Well the next week she shows up with her friend and guess what......She was GORGEOUS, too!! .... Oh, the thoughts that went through my mind with these two hotties standing at my door... ...... :evilgrin: Link to post Share on other sites
hellyer 216 Posted September 10, 2012 Share Posted September 10, 2012 Pictures please And just how many Watchtower magazines do you have stacked up in your bedroom? Link to post Share on other sites
Chriselle 158 Posted September 10, 2012 Share Posted September 10, 2012 I'm sure Pie Eater will be along shortly with the pictures. Funny....as I recall and ironically.. we didn't talk religion that much so only the obligatory few Watchtowers.. Link to post Share on other sites
pie-eater 207 Posted September 10, 2012 Share Posted September 10, 2012 Link to post Share on other sites
pie-eater 207 Posted September 10, 2012 Share Posted September 10, 2012 Link to post Share on other sites
Chriselle 158 Posted September 10, 2012 Share Posted September 10, 2012 well done!! Link to post Share on other sites
muikabochi 208 Posted September 10, 2012 Share Posted September 10, 2012 It's over to ms Muikabochi when something like this happens! Link to post Share on other sites
Mick Rich 78 Posted September 10, 2012 Author Share Posted September 10, 2012 Don't fancy yours! Link to post Share on other sites
hellyer 216 Posted September 10, 2012 Share Posted September 10, 2012 This is how to discourage unwanted door knockers http://www.bbsradio.com/webbbs/images/main/pic13972.jpg Link to post Share on other sites
Mick Rich 78 Posted September 10, 2012 Author Share Posted September 10, 2012 What a load of bollocks! Link to post Share on other sites
Chriselle 158 Posted September 10, 2012 Share Posted September 10, 2012 Link to post Share on other sites
pie-eater 207 Posted September 10, 2012 Share Posted September 10, 2012 Loaded bollocks, indeed! Link to post Share on other sites
pie-eater 207 Posted September 10, 2012 Share Posted September 10, 2012 PS If you want to spoiler an image you need to put the img and /img in square brackets before and after the url of the image, within the spoiler tags Link to post Share on other sites
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