THIS DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF JAPANESE POLICE ACTIVITY, THE FIRST TO HAVE BEEN ATTEMPTED IN EITHER ENGLISH OR JAPANESE - DRAWS ON SIX MONTHS OF FIRSTHAND OBSERVATION OF POLICE ACTIVITIES AT SEVERAL LOCATIONS IN JAPAN AND SEEKS TO CAPTURE THEIR DISTINCTIVE CHARACTERISTICS AND TO REFLECT THE MILIEU IN WHICH THEY OCCUR. AMONG THE TOPICS CONSIDERED ARE PATROL OPERATIONS, STREET ENCOUNTERS, MAINTENANCE OF DISCIPLINE AND RESPONSIBILITY, MEANS OF COPING WITH VIOLENCE, REGULATION OF VICTIMLESS CRIMES, THE ROLE OF DISCRETION IN DEALING WITH THE PUBLIC, AND ADMINISTRATIVE PRACTICES. THE STUDY INDICATES THAT GOOD POLICE WORK AND A DIFFERENT POLICE CULTURE HAVE AS MUCH TO DO WITH EXPLAINING JAPAN'S LAW CRIME RATE AS GENERAL SOCIAL VALUES. THIS BOOK ALSO USES THE TOOL OF COMPARISON TO SHED LIGHT ON WHY AMERICA HAS SO MUCH TROUBLE WITH BOTH CRIME AND POLICE.