Japan police anti‑scam efforts

Japanese police have continued to expand fraud‑prevention activities across the country. In late July 2026, Shizuoka Prefectural Police staged a training drill with employees of Shizuoka Gas, simulating a “fake police” phone scam and teaching participants how to recognise and report the tactic. The exercise also highlighted a recent incident in which a Saitama city councilor was targeted by the same type of call, underscoring the relevance of the threat to both corporate staff and public officials.

The following day, the National Police Agency issued a broader public alert in the wake of the 2024 Kumamoto earthquake, warning that scammers were exploiting the disaster by reposting old damage photos, fabricating rescue requests, and distributing QR‑code links to fraudulent donation sites. Police urged residents to verify sources, use official channels, and report suspicious communications, emphasizing that misinformation can impede rescue and relief efforts.

Together, these actions illustrate a coordinated strategy in which Japanese authorities move from targeted training for specific sectors to nationwide warnings that address opportunistic fraud tied to emergencies and natural disasters.