Osaka Crime Rate Tops Japan: Map Shows Safest and Riskiest Areas

Osaka Prefecture has earned the unfortunate title of the least safe region in Japan. According to official police data, one crime occurs for every 109 residents.

Source: National Police Agency, 2024 Police White Paper

Rates of violent crime, theft, and sex-related crimes are particularly high in Osaka, ranking among the lowest nationwide. Among violent cases, money-motivated robberies and attacks predominate. Police acknowledge that not every case is solved and continue to ask residents to share tips on unsolved incidents.

Sexual crimes are also a matter of concern. The report states that the attackers were threatening the women with knives before the attack. Most victims are women in their teens or twenties, so awareness and caution are important.

Crime Trends in Osaka

Source: National Police Agency, 2024 Police White Paper

Osaka's crime rate has consistently been higher than the national average. The large population size and high number of welfare recipients contribute to the problem, as economic hardship often fuels criminal activity.

Crime began to increase in 1995 and peaked in 2002, reaching the highest level since World War II. The collapse of Japan's bubble economy, unstable jobs, and social disruption all played a role. After 2002, police introduced street cameras, patrols, and community safety programs, which helped reduce the numbers.

But since 2020, the economic fallout from COVID-19 has pushed crime back up.

City and Town Rankings in Osaka (2024)

Official data breaks down crime rates by municipality. The map below shows color-coded areas: white (safest, 1 crime per 451+ people), yellow-green (1 per 301-450), green (1 per 151-300), and red (highest risk, 1 per 0-150).

Toyono Town tops the list as the safest area with only one crime per 506 residents. On the other hand, Osaka city, Japan's third-largest city, recorded 40,011 crimes, meaning one in 69 people was affected. This places it last in the security ranking.

The data makes one thing clear: smaller cities tend to be safer, while larger urban centers face higher crime rates.

Toyono Town: Osaka’s Safest Spot

Toyono is a quiet town known for its historical sites and stone art. Local leaders hold workshops to gather residents' feedback and shape policies. Initiatives include ICT-based school programmes, support for teachers and parents, child care-friendly environments, and community spaces for all ages. Agriculture is promoted under the "Toyono bran,d" and entrepreneurs receive local support. Strong relationships between the government and residents help keep crime down.

Osaka City: The Most Unsafe Area

OsakCity is located in the center of the prefecture and has the largest population. The number of foreign residents is 6.8%, the highest among designated cities in Japan. The report mentioned cases of theft involving foreign nationals. The city also saw a delayed economic recovery after the bubble collapsed, with scams targeting over-welfare recipients and unemployed residents surfacing on social media.

If you're planning to live or visit Osaka, this ranking provides a clear guide to which areas are safe and which areas are more risky.