... It seems odd to me that you should get stopped so often though. Does it have something to do with your appearance or behavior (beyond simply being white)?
The entire time I lived in Yokohama, I only ever got stopped by the police like that, to ask about my bike papers, once.
Well, the first day I was wearing short pants and a simply designed Paul Smith grey shirt.
The second day (oh yeah, I forgot to mention that they pulled up to me the next day while I was on my bike...gave me a look over and realized that it was me again...then they drove off)...I was wearing long brownish pants with a plain navy blue shirt.
My hair sits flat on my head and one day I was freshly shaven and the next day I had a 5pm shadow.
I used to think the same thing...that police only stopped people that looked odd. But, these days, it has happened several times this summer alone. It is getting unbelievable. My Japanese friend suggests that they are just seeking out easy points for promotions, especially if they are rookies.
As a result, I have decided to go the more Ghandian route and carry WANTED pictures of the individual who killed a Nova teacher a few years ago. Then I can hand them a copy and ask them to help me catch a murder in exchange for me helping them catch bike thieves.
Yeah, it is really sad that the Police are bothering me to the point that I feel like it would be better for me just to stay indoors on my days off. It isn't just around where I live, but everywhere in the country. They are now passing new laws which leave foreigners under the jurisdiction of the justice department. This also means that Police will be checking our resident cards more frequently and failure to carry them at all times will result in a $2000 fine and if it isn't updated frequently (within 14 days of any minor change in work status or residence) will result in an equally large fine. All of this in the name of catching illegal residents. Apparently, they say it will make it easier on all residents...though, they have yet to detail how it would make it easier on us. It just will, they say.
Hi Rick...this is Teri, Brian and Jody...we decided the only reason you got pulled over is because it is you...if it was any one of us we wouldn't be pulled over on our "bikes" Miss visiting you! Hopefully we can make it back soon or a trip to Hong Kong!!
Comments 6
... It seems odd to me that you should get stopped so often though. Does it have something to do with your appearance or behavior (beyond simply being white)?
The entire time I lived in Yokohama, I only ever got stopped by the police like that, to ask about my bike papers, once.
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The second day (oh yeah, I forgot to mention that they pulled up to me the next day while I was on my bike...gave me a look over and realized that it was me again...then they drove off)...I was wearing long brownish pants with a plain navy blue shirt.
My hair sits flat on my head and one day I was freshly shaven and the next day I had a 5pm shadow.
I used to think the same thing...that police only stopped people that looked odd. But, these days, it has happened several times this summer alone. It is getting unbelievable. My Japanese friend suggests that they are just seeking out easy points for promotions, especially if they are rookies.
As a result, I have decided to go the more Ghandian route and carry WANTED pictures of the individual who killed a Nova teacher a few years ago. Then I can hand them a copy and ask them to help me catch a murder in exchange for me helping them catch bike thieves.
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Teri, Jody and Brian!
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