As everyone knows, Japan is no longer a haven of safety. No statistic supports this sad development better than the fact that more than 440,000 bicycles are stolen every year, so don't get angry when a policeman stops you on the street to check your registration. He's only doing his job.
This week on NHK's neighborhood problem-solving show "Nanmon Kaiketsu (Solving Difficult Problems)" (NHK-G, Thursday, 9:15 p.m.) residents of Tokyo's Katsushika Ward who live near Kanamachi Station discuss solutions to the bicycle theft issue. Kanamachi has one of the highest theft rates in the city. Many residents have had more than one bicycle stolen. Part of the problem is that people think there's nothing that can be done, and usually they don't report the theft. The residents discuss preventive measures as well as cooperation with the police.
Waiting on line for something popular is a Japanese tradition that's explored on this week's episode of the popular cartoon "Crayon Shin-chan" (TV Asahi; Friday, 7:30 p.m.).