Kōban

The term also refers to the smallest organizational unit in a modern Japanese Prefectural police department.

[6][7] Police officers stationed at kōban serve several roles:[8] The name kōban derives from the name of the earliest structure built in 1874, which were simple boxes meant for standing watch (立番, tachiban) in rotation (交替, kōtai), thus creating a compound word consisting of kō (交) and ban (番).

"Kōban" was further systematized and spread out nationwide, playing an important role in the Japanese police system over decades.

In one case in 2019, a lone officer stationed inside a kōban in Suita was attacked and his sidearm stolen.

JICA has helped to establish kōban-style community policing programs in several countries, including Indonesia, Brazil,[15] and Honduras.