Overview

• Late August will mark the rollout of the wearable camera trial across 13 prefectures, covering regional policing, traffic enforcement and crowd control units.
• About 70 devices will be deployed, with chest-mounted cameras for patrol and traffic duties and both head- and chest-mounted units for security operations.
• Officers are required to film continuously even if individuals refuse, pausing only in limited-access areas such as private residences or backrooms, and signaling filming with red lights or ‘recording’ armbands.
• Footage will be automatically deleted after 90 days for regional activities, three months after approval for traffic stops and one week for security missions unless preserved for evidence or training purposes.
• Prefectural forces must publish trial results to public safety commissions and the National Police Agency will compile findings to inform a potential nationwide rollout in the 2027 budget.