Kanagawa Pref. Police academy eases rules as Japan's low birth rate pressures recruitment

In July, the Kanagawa Prefectural Police force made significant changes to its police academy, aiming to address the challenges of recruitment arising from Japan's declining birth rate and shrinking workforce. The police force has been grappling with a declining number of applicants, with only 2,460 people applying for the 2012 recruitment exam compared to 6,351 in the previous year. The competition ratio has dropped to 2.2 times, indicating a dire need for increased recruitment efforts.

The changes at the police academy in Yokohama's Sakae Ward reflect a broader effort to attract more applicants. Both men and women can now choose any hairstyle deemed neat and appropriate for a police officer, effectively allowing for styles such as two-block cuts and longer hair. Previously, overnight stays and visits outside the academy were limited to parents, relatives, or fellow recruits.

Furthermore, the new rules permit trainees to keep and manage their smartphones during training and sleeping hours, a significant shift from the previous requirement to hand over phones to instructors during these times.

These rule changes are part of a broader strategy to reduce the risk of resignations among police recruits. In a 2024 survey conducted by Japan's National Police Agency involving 477 police academy trainees, around 40% cited concerns or anxieties when taking the recruitment exam, including comments like "The police academy seems strict."

These rule modifications are expected to foster a more enjoyable and less stringent environment at the police academy. One recent police recruit, Toa Kimura, who joined the Kanagawa Prefectural Police academy in February, expressed a positive outlook on the changes, stating that "It is more enjoyable than I expected, rather than strict."

She also acknowledged the increased importance of self-discipline in light of the more relaxed rules. However, some senior officials within the Prefectural Police force have raised concerns about the deregulation, emphasizing that discipline remains a core value in the police profession. Despite this, they recognize the necessity of adapting recruitment practices to societal changes, acknowledging the intense competition for a shrinking pool of young people in the police force.