The Kamakura Police Station in Kanagawa Prefecture has deployed officers in plainclothes to conduct night-shift patrols and criminal investigations [1].
This initiative aims to increase public safety and a sense of vigilance by allowing officers to blend into the urban environment while remaining available to respond quickly to reports of suspicious persons or crimes [1].
The program began in April 2026 [1]. Under this system, officers begin their plainclothes duty shifts at 4:15 p.m. [1] and remain on duty until the following morning [1]. By operating without uniforms, the police intend to monitor city streets more discreetly to better identify criminal activity.
During a recent report by the program "Good! Morning," announcer Momo Tahara approached two individuals to verify if they were law enforcement [1]. "I heard there were police officers here, so I came; are you two the officers?" Tahara said [1]. One of the officers confirmed their identity, saying, "Yes. We are from Kamakura Police" [1].
Local residents expressed surprise at the presence of undercover officers in their neighborhood. One resident in their 50s, upon learning of the officer's status, said, "Actually, they are plainclothes police officers. I didn't know that" [1].
These officers carry identification and armbands to verify their authority when necessary, ensuring they can transition from blending in to active intervention once a suspect is identified, or a citizen requires immediate assistance [1]. The strategy focuses on the Kamakura jurisdiction, utilizing the anonymity of civilian clothing to gain a tactical advantage in surveillance and rapid response [1].
“"Yes. We are from Kamakura Police"”
The shift toward plainclothes night patrols represents a tactical move by Kanagawa police to prioritize surveillance and discretion over the visible deterrence provided by uniforms. By integrating officers into the nighttime social fabric of Kamakura, the department seeks to reduce the 'warning effect' that uniformed patrols have on criminals, potentially increasing the rate of successful interventions and the speed of response to citizen reports.
