Japan police to roll out body-worn cameras nationwide in 2027 after trials

Japanese authorities announced on Friday that the national rollout of body-worn cameras for police officers will commence in the upcoming fiscal year. This decision follows successful trials conducted in various prefectures, with the National Police Agency allocating approximately 170 million yen (around US$1 million) to cover the costs associated with deploying roughly 2,000 cameras.

The trials, which began in September of last year, took place in 13 police departments across the country. The operations covered a range of areas, including community affairs, traffic enforcement, and crowd control. In Tokyo, Osaka, and Fukuoka prefectures, the trials specifically focused on community affairs and were conducted until November.

The effectiveness of the cameras was demonstrated in several cases. For instance, footage captured during a dispute mediation by a Fukuoka police officer who was later assaulted by a man was used as evidence. Similarly, in a drug-related case, video recordings confirmed that a suspect had not been forcibly taken into custody for questioning.

Additionally, traffic enforcement footage was utilized to verify whether proper procedures were followed, with some drivers expressing positive feedback on the cameras recording their interactions with police.

During the trials, a few individuals resisted being filmed, but when consent could not be obtained after explanations, officers handed the situation over to another officer not equipped with a camera. Police recognized the potential benefits of the technology, citing its ability to provide an objective and accurate record of incidents, including the individuals involved and their actions.