OFW Resource Hub

Kung nakatira ka sa Japan, maaaring napansin mo ang maliliit na police stations na makikita malapit sa train stations, shopping areas, at residential neighborhoods.

Ang tawag dito ay :

交番（こうばん / Kōban）

Ang koban ay isang neighborhood police box kung saan maaaring humingi ng tulong ang residents at visitors para sa lost items, directions, accidents, suspicious activity, at iba pang concerns.

Para sa mga Filipinos living in Japan, magandang malaman kung kailan at paano maaaring lumapit sa koban—especially during an emergency or kapag may importanteng bagay kang nawala.

1. What Is a Koban?

Ang koban ay maliit na local police facility na karaniwang matatagpuan sa busy or residential areas.

Police officers assigned to koban help with :

• Lost and found

• Directions

• Reporting crimes

• Minor accidents

• Neighborhood safety

• Missing persons

• Suspicious activity

• Emergency assistance

Think of it as a local point of contact between the police and the community.

2. Where Can You Find a Koban?

Koban are commonly located near :

• Train stations

• Shopping districts

• Busy intersections

• Residential neighborhoods

• Tourist areas

Look for signs saying :

交番（Kōban）

or:

POLICE

Google Maps can also help you find the nearest koban by searching :

交番

3. Koban vs. Police Station

A koban is different from a full police station.

Koban

交番（Kōban）

A small neighborhood police box handling everyday local concerns.

Police Station

警察署（Keisatsusho）

A larger police facility handling more extensive investigations, administrative procedures, and specialized services.

Depending on the issue, the koban officer may direct you to the appropriate police station.

4. Lost Something? Go to a Koban

One of the most common reasons people visit a koban is to report :

落とし物（Otoshimono） – Lost property

If you lose :

• Wallet

• Phone

• Bag

• Keys

• Residence Card

• Passport

• Bicycle

• Important documents

you can ask the police whether the item has been turned in.

5. What Information Should You Provide?

When reporting a lost item, prepare as much information as possible :

• What you lost

• Color

• Brand

• Size

• Contents

• Where you think you lost it

• Approximate time

• Your name

• Contact information

For example :

黒い財布をなくしました。

Kuroi saifu o nakushimashita.

I lost a black wallet.

The more specific the description, the easier it may be to identify your property.

6. What If You Find Someone Else's Property?

Kung makakita ka ng :

• Wallet

• Phone

• Cash

• Keys

• Bag

you can bring it to the nearest koban or police station.

Say :

落とし物を見つけました。

Otoshimono o mitsukemashita.

I found a lost item.

Tell the officer where and when you found it.

Avoid taking the item home and trying to find the owner yourself if turning it over to the police is practical.

7. If Your Residence Card Is Lost

Your :

在留カード（Zairyū Kādo） – Residence Card

is an important identification document.

If you lose it :

1. Report the loss to the police.

2. Ask for documentation showing that you made the report.

3. Contact or visit Immigration promptly regarding the replacement procedure.

Don't wait several weeks hoping the card will simply turn up.

8. If Your Passport Is Lost

If your Philippine passport is missing :

• Report it to the police.

• Obtain the relevant loss-report information or documentation.

• Contact the Philippine Embassy or appropriate Philippine Consulate.

• Follow the current procedure for replacement.

A police report may be required during the replacement process.

9. If Your Wallet Is Stolen

Kung sa tingin mo ay ninakaw ang wallet rather than simply lost :

Tell the officer clearly.

Useful phrase :

財布を盗まれました。

Saifu o nusumaremashita.

My wallet was stolen.

Also contact your :

• Bank

• Credit-card company

• Debit-card provider

and block affected cards as soon as possible.

10. Reporting a Bicycle Problem

Koban can also help if your bicycle :

• Was stolen

• Was involved in an accident

• Was found abandoned

• Needs to be identified through its registration

Bicycles in Japan commonly have :

防犯登録（Bōhan Tōroku） – Bicycle theft-prevention registration

If your bicycle is stolen, having your registration information can help.

11. Asking for Directions

Yes, you can also ask a koban officer for directions.

Koban officers often know the local area well.

You can ask :

〇〇はどこですか？

___ wa doko desu ka?

Where is ___?

Or :

〇〇までどう行けばいいですか？

___ made dō ikeba ii desu ka?

How do I get to ___?

Showing the location on your phone can make things easier.

12. Reporting a Traffic Accident

If you're involved in a traffic accident, the police should generally be notified even if the damage appears minor.

For emergencies, call :

110 – Police

If there are injuries requiring emergency medical assistance :

119 – Ambulance / Fire Department

Do not rely only on exchanging phone numbers with the other person.

An official accident record can also be important for insurance procedures.

13. Reporting Suspicious Activity

If you notice suspicious behavior or feel unsafe, you may contact the police.

Examples include :

• Someone repeatedly following you

• Suspicious activity around your home

• Someone trying to enter your apartment

• Theft

• Property damage

• Harassment or threats

For an immediate emergency or crime in progress, call 110 rather than spending time searching for a koban.

14. Koban Officers Patrol the Neighborhood

Police officers assigned to koban don't always remain inside the police box.

They may be :

• Patrolling on foot

• Riding bicycles

• Responding to calls

• Visiting local homes or businesses

• Managing traffic incidents

So if you arrive and no officer is immediately visible, follow any instructions or contact information posted at the koban.

15. Police May Visit Your Home

In some communities, police officers conduct neighborhood visits known as :

巡回連絡（Junkai Renraku）

An officer may visit residents to :

• Introduce themselves

• Learn who lives in the area

• Provide crime-prevention information

• Gather emergency-contact information

If someone claims to be a police officer and you're uncertain, it's reasonable to check their identification and contact the local police station if necessary.

Never hand over money, bank passwords, or PIN numbers simply because someone says they are from the police.

16. Do Koban Officers Speak English?

It depends.

Some officers may speak English or another foreign language, particularly in tourist areas, but you shouldn't assume multilingual support is always available.

If communication is difficult :

• Use a translation app.

• Show the Japanese address or information on your phone.

• Write down important details.

• Speak slowly using simple words.

Having key Japanese phrases ready can help.

17. What Should You Bring When Reporting Something?

If available, bring :

• Residence Card

• Passport

• Driver's license

• Photos of the missing item

• Bicycle registration details

• Bank or card information, if relevant

• Screenshots

• Receipts

• Other supporting documents

Don't worry if your ID itself is the item you lost—explain the situation to the officer.

18. Police Reports and Lost-Property Documents

Depending on your situation, you may need documentation showing that you reported :

• A lost item

• Theft

• An accident

Such documentation may later be useful for :

• Embassy procedures

• Immigration

• Insurance claims

• Bank procedures

• Replacement of identification documents

Tell the officer what document you need and why.

19. Koban Is Not for Every Government Problem

Koban officers can help with police-related matters, but they don't handle everything.

For example :

Immigration questions

Contact the Immigration Services Agency.

Tax questions

Contact your tax office or municipality.

Residence registration

Go to City Hall or Ward Office.

Employment disputes

Contact your employer, Hello Work, Labour Bureau, or appropriate labor authority.

Knowing which office handles the issue can save you a lot of time.

20. Koban Etiquette

When visiting :

• Wait your turn if someone is already being assisted.

• Speak calmly.

• Explain the facts clearly.

• Provide accurate information.

• Don't exaggerate or invent details.

• Follow the officer's instructions.

If you're upset after losing something or experiencing an incident, focus on providing the important facts first.

Useful Japanese Words

交番（Kōban） – Police box

警察（Keisatsu） – Police

警察署（Keisatsusho） – Police station

警察官（Keisatsukan） – Police officer

落とし物（Otoshimono） – Lost property

忘れ物（Wasuremono） – Forgotten item

盗難（Tōnan） – Theft

事故（Jiko） – Accident

道（Michi） – Road / way

在留カード（Zairyū Kādo） – Residence Card

防犯登録（Bōhan Tōroku） – Bicycle theft-prevention registration

Useful Japanese Phrases

交番はどこですか？

Kōban wa doko desu ka?

Where is the police box?

財布をなくしました。

Saifu o nakushimashita.

I lost my wallet.

携帯電話をなくしました。

Keitai denwa o nakushimashita.

I lost my mobile phone.

在留カードをなくしました。

Zairyū kādo o nakushimashita.

I lost my Residence Card.

財布を盗まれました。

Saifu o nusumaremashita.

My wallet was stolen.

落とし物を見つけました。

Otoshimono o mitsukemashita.

I found a lost item.

助けてください。

Tasukete kudasai.

Please help me.

Emergency Numbers

Remember these two important numbers :

110 – Police

Use for crimes, accidents requiring police response, or immediate danger.

119 – Ambulance / Fire Department

Use for medical emergencies and fires.

If there's immediate danger, don't waste time looking for the nearest koban—call the appropriate emergency number.

Koban Checklist

If you need help at a koban :

• Prepare a clear description of what happened.

• Note the location, date, and approximate time.

• Bring identification if available.

• Bring photos or supporting information.

• Explain whether an item was lost or stolen.

• Ask for necessary report information or documents.

• Save any reference numbers you're given.

• Contact your bank immediately if payment cards are missing.

• Contact Immigration if your Residence Card is lost.

• Contact your embassy or consulate if your passport is lost.

• Call 110 instead if there is immediate danger.

Tips for Filipinos in Japan

• Save the location of the koban nearest your home and workplace.

• Take photos of important cards and bicycle registration information, but store them securely.

• Keep your passport and Residence Card information somewhere safe in case the originals are lost.

• If Japanese communication is difficult, use a translation app and show written information.

• Keep police report information because you may need it when replacing documents.

• Don't be afraid to approach a koban when you genuinely need police assistance—helping local residents and visitors is an important part of its role.

The koban is one of the most useful local services to know when living in Japan.

Whether you've lost your wallet, found someone else's phone, need directions, had your bicycle stolen, or need to report an incident, the neighborhood police box can often be your first point of contact.

The key is to remember the difference between an everyday concern and an emergency. For routine police assistance, a koban can be very useful. For immediate danger or a crime in progress, call 110.

Sa PhilMoney, nais naming suportahan ang mga Pilipino sa Japan hindi lamang sa mabilis at ligtas na remittance, kundi pati na rin sa pagbibigay ng practical guides para mas maging safe, prepared, at confident sa everyday life sa Japan.

Note : This article is intended for general information only. Regulations and procedures in Japan and the Philippines may change. Please verify the latest information with the appropriate government agency or official institution before taking action.