Translation guide
In Japan, railway police is not a single force. The main bodies are the prefectural railway police units and the Railway Police Force (Tetsudō Keisatsutai) of the National Police Agency. For everyday situations, you usually interact with station staff or local police.
The police officers assigned to railway stations and trains, part of the prefectural police.
The most common term for railway police in Japan. Refers to the railway police units within each prefectural police force.
鉄道警察に落とし物を届けました。
I handed in a lost item to the railway police.
Specifically the railway police unit or squad. Often used in official contexts.
駅に鉄道警察隊の派出所があります。
There is a railway police box at the station.
The specialized national unit under the National Police Agency that deals with serious railway crimes and coordination.
The national Railway Police Force, distinct from prefectural units. Rarely encountered by the public.
国家公安委員会の鉄道警察隊が広域捜査を担当します。
The National Public Safety Commission's Railway Police Force handles wide-area investigations.
When you need help at a station, you often talk to station staff or security guards, not police.
For lost items, directions, or minor troubles, approach station staff (ekiin) first. They can contact police if needed.
すみません、駅員さん、落とし物をしたんですが。
Excuse me, station attendant, I lost something.
Security guards often patrol stations. They are not police but can help with safety issues.
駅の警備員に声をかけられました。
I was approached by a station security guard.
How to refer to the police when you need to call them or report a crime at a station.
Use the general word for police. You can ask station staff to call them.
すみません、警察を呼んでください。
Excuse me, please call the police.
To dial 110, the police emergency number. You can say this to ask someone to call.
緊急の場合は110番してください。
In an emergency, please dial 110.
If you lose something on a train or station, go to the station office (駅事務室) or lost and found (忘れ物承り所). They will contact railway police if necessary. You rarely need to speak to police directly for lost items.
忘れ物承り所はどこですか？
Where is the lost and found?
Japanese railway police officers usually do not carry firearms visibly. They may look like regular police in uniform. Do not expect a heavily armed presence like in some countries.