While I am no fan of the Japanese police in general, I think that the koban (police box) system is a good one. In Tokyo, there are usually koban not 5 minutes from my apartment in several directions. These little buildings in which officers keep watch are at hand if you have a question (often about directions), a problem, or need a place to run because some weirdo is following you (not as uncommon as you'd think, especially if you're a foreign female). I think having police monitoring particular sections of a neighborhood forms a bond between the residents and enhances the overall sense of security, and I think it's a good idea.
I'll miss knowing that these police boxes are close at hand if I'm in serious trouble.
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