THIS DECENTRALIZED SYSTEM WHICH WAS INTRODUCED AFTER WORLD WAR II RESEMBLES THE ONE FOUND IN GREAT BRITAIN AND THE UNITED STATES. CHANGES IN THE FOLLOWING AREAS WERE PERCEIVED: THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE POLICE WAS RESTRICTED TO MAINTAINING LAW AND ORDER, SOLVING CRIME, AND PROTECTING LIFE AND PROPERTY; A DEMOCRATIC METHOD OF ADMINISTRATION AND CONTROL WAS IMPLEMENTED ON BOTH NATIONAL AND LOCAL LEVELS; ALL CITIES, TOWNS, AND VILLAGES WITH MORE THAN 5,000 INHABITANTS RECEIVED AN AUTONOMOUS POLICE FORCE. THE MAIN CHARACTERISTICS OF A NEW POLICE LAW DESIGNED TO SOLVE SOME OF THE ORGANIZATIONAL PROBLEMS ARE OUTLINED. THE FUNCTIONS OF THE NATIONAL PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION AND THE NATIONAL POLICE AGENCY, AS WELL AS THE ORGANIZATION OF THE TOKYO POLICE AND ITS PREFECTURES, ARE DISCUSSED. --IN GERMAN.