Viewing the state of offenses committed against Japanese nationals overseas, as ascertained by diplomatic establishments abroad through their Japanese citizen protection work, there were 7,948 cases in 2001 (an increase of 8.3% from the previous year), involving 8,939 Japanese nationals (an increase of 7.1% from the previous year) (Source: Consular and Migration Affairs Department, Minister's Secretariat, Ministry of Foreign Affairs).
   Fig. 1-5-3-1 shows the percent distribution of offenses committed against Japanese nationals overseas in 2001, by type of offense. The majority of the offenses were larceny, with 6,115 cases accounting for 76.9% of the total number. This was followed by robbery with 1,089 cases (13.7%), and fraud with 510 cases (6.4%).
  By region, the largest number of offenses was committed in Europe (3,174 cases, 39.9%), followed by Asia (2,656 cases, 33.4%), and North America (1,085 cases, 13.7%), in that order. Viewing the 3 most common offenses in these 3 regions, the most common offense in Europe was larceny with 80.7% (2,560 cases), followed by robbery with 16.3% (517 cases), and fraud with 1.7% (55 cases), in that order. The most common offense in Asia was also larceny with 69.6% (1,848 cases), followed by fraud with 14.7% (390 cases), and robbery with 11.1% (294 cases). In North America, larceny accounted for 92.1% (999 cases), followed by robbery with 4.2% (46 cases), and fraud with 1.4% (15 cases), in that order.
  Meanwhile, fatalities due to crime perpetrated against Japanese nationals have hovered within the range of 10 or over but below 30 since fiscal 1992 (using the fiscal year until fiscal 1994 and the calendar year thereafter). In 2001, there were 12 such fatalities. On the other hand, the number of persons injured due to crimes such as bodily injury, assault, and robbery, etc. was 284 in 2001. This is 3.6 times the corresponding number of 78 persons in fiscal 1992, far exceeding the increase in Japanese travelers overseas.

Fig. 1-5-3-1 Percent distribution of offenses committed against Japanese nationals overseas by type of offense (2001)