Image 1 of 3
Image 2 of 3
Image 3 of 3
In 1968 a modification was made of the model 1958 insignias. These new insignias were slightly larger and thinner than the previous model.
In 1994 a new uniform together with new insignias were introduced and they are still in use.
The National Police Agency was established in 1954 and the present police system started. The police structure consists of the national police and the prefectural police.
Formerly, most police agencies functioned as guards for the imperial family. Now, there is a mix of centralization and decentralization in that police administration is the responsibility of prefectural governments.
The national level police organizations are the National Police Safety Commission (NPSC) and the National Police Agency (NPA). Since the NPSC makes basic policy and the NPA administers police affairs, the NPSC has control over the NPA.
As the central coordinating body for the entire police system, the National Police Agency determines general standards and policies; detailed direction of operations is left to the lower echelons.
The NPA maintains Regional Police Bureaus as its local agencies throughout the country. There are seven bureaus in the major cities, excluding Tokyo and the northern island of Hokkaido.
Police law stipulates that each prefectural government, which is a local entity, shall have its own Prefectural Police (PP).
