Japan police to expand wearable camera use nationwide in FY 2027

Japanese law enforcement plans to roll out body-worn cameras nationwide starting fiscal year 2027, following successful trials that demonstrated their effectiveness in providing evidence and ensuring proper investigative procedures, the National Police Agency announced on Friday. The agency has allocated approximately 170 million yen ($1 million) for the upcoming fiscal year to cover expenses related to the deployment of around 2,000 cameras.

Pilot programs began in September of last year in 13 prefectural police departments, focusing on community affairs, traffic enforcement, and crowd control operations. In Tokyo, Osaka, and Fukuoka prefectures, the trials for community affairs were extended until November. The recorded footage was utilized as evidence in a case of obstruction of official duties, where a Fukuoka Prefectural Police officer intervened to mediate a dispute and was subsequently struck by a man.

Another case involved a suspect in drug-related matters who claimed to have been forcibly taken into custody, but video footage disproved these allegations.

During the traffic enforcement trials conducted by the Niigata, Aichi, and Kochi prefectural police, supervisors referred to the footage on around 160 occasions to verify whether procedures for apprehending traffic offenders were adhered to. Some drivers who encountered the cameras while being stopped by police expressed positive opinions, stating that they believed the recordings of questioning were beneficial.

Crowd control trials in public venues such as event locations and railway stations are currently underway in nine prefectures, including Hokkaido and Hiroshima. In over ten instances during the trials of these three types of operations, individuals objected to being filmed. When officers were unable to obtain consent after explaining the purpose of the recording, they transferred the matter to another officer who was not wearing a camera, according to the agency.

Police had previously considered implementing body-worn cameras following cases that questioned the appropriateness of street questioning and traffic enforcement. The agency official emphasized that video footage offers an objective and accurate record of events, including the individuals involved and their actions, underscoring the practicality of the cameras.