Tokyo 'koban' finally get female cops

Tokyo police began deploying female officers Wednesday at police boxes on a full-time basis.

Make our day: Policewomen man a "koban" police box Wednesday in Minato Ward, Tokyo, as the force began deploying female officers on a full-time basis. KYODO PHOTO

Twenty policewomen have been posted at 10 police boxes, or "koban," including near JR Ikebukuro Station and a marine park in Daiba, Minato Ward, department officials said.

The Tokyo police had avoided stationing female officers at koban except during the day out of concern over potential danger as many of the posts are in entertainment and other busy districts.

All other prefectural police departments already deploy female officers at koban.

The Tokyo police changed its policy in view of diversified needs at koban, including taking care of female crime victims and suspects.

The department has roughly 2,360 female officers, about 5 percent of the total. All female officers recruited from this point forward will be stationed in koban.