DURING THE LAST FEW YEARS (UP UNTIL 1974) CRIME RATES HAVE SHOWN A REMARKABLE STABILITY, AND EVEN DECLINING TENDENCIES. DATA ARE PRESENTED ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF TRAFFIC OFFENSES, CRIMES AGAINST PROPERTY, CRIMES OF VIOLENCE, DRUG CRIMES, AND ASPECTS OF JUVENILE DELINQUENCY. A SERIES OF INFLUENCING FACTORS IS DISCUSSED: ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT; RISING STANDARDS OF EDUCATION; STRICT CONTROL OF WEAPON POSSESSION (AS A CHECK ON VIOLENCE); THE FACT THAT JAPAN IS MADE UP OF ISLANDS (AS A CHECK ON DRUG IMPORTS); AND CLOSE COOPERATION BETWEEN POLICE AND THE PUBLIC. THE INFLUENCE OF MARKED HIERARCHIES WITHIN FAMILY AND SOCIETY AND OF THE VERTICAL SOCIAL STRUCTURES IN GENERAL ARE VERY APPARENT. SYSTEMS OF PRIMARY AND INFORMAL SOCIAL CONTROL ARE VIEWED AS STILL BEING VERY EFFICIENT IN JAPAN. --IN GERMAN. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)