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Beautiful Japan
meets
No 4 Region
Ken Davies
, Wales Region
On a cold windy night in September; out of the Arrivals gate
of Cardiff Airport trundled a huge pink suitcase, being
pushed by an exhausted lady. The lovely lady carrying out
this battle was Police Inspector Saori Kimura from the
National Police Academy of the Japan Police Force.
S
aori had contacted me
several months
previous to advise that she would be
visiting Wales for a week to attend the
17th Annual Conference of the European Society
of Criminology at Cardiff University. During the
Conference Saori was also listed to offer a
Presentation on Anti-Terrorism in Japan. The first
problem however for Saori was the 65mph cold
winds that were blowing across South Wales upon
her arrival – for which she had arrived from a very
hot country, totally unprepared as regards warm
waterproof clothing. So, as soon as we arrived
at the hotel in the city centre, she was off like a
rocket to purchase something suitable.
And so, early on the Tuesday morning I arrived at
the hotel to collect Saori in preparation for a visit
to the Cardiff Bay Police Station which had been
previously arranged with the kind assistance
of the South Wales Chief Constable, Peter
Vaughan, QPM. Despite a fourteen hour flight the
previous day, Saori was ready and waiting, full
of enthusiasm for to her visit. On arrival we were
met by Detective Sergeant Kelly Hill who acted
as a most enthusiastic guide for the morning.
During the visit, Saori met with Superintendent
Steve Murray and Chief Inspector Jackie Johnson
who greatly assisted in outlining the various
departmental structures and responsibilities.
Following an earlier request to me, Saori was
then provided the opportunity for a very informal
meeting with female officers to discuss what
turned out to be wide differences in both cultural
attitudes and professional
opportunities for females within
the Police Service. Being by far
the oldest person present I did
in fact remain in the conference
room and was able to offer anecdotal memories
as to how female officers were treated prior to
the early 1980’s – being assigned to school
crossing patrols, missing persons and making the
tea for the men. During the conversations, Saori
mentioned that the topic for her Presentation
at the forthcoming Crime Convention was to be
regarding Terrorism in Japan. Almost immediately
she was introduced to Chief Inspector Mark
Hoborough, who was able,
following his security work at
the UEFA event in Cardiff, to
offer some guidelines for the
Presentation ahead. Saori
eventually left the police
station extremely impressed
with not only everything she
had seen as regards the
operational state of the facility,
but the genuine warmth and
friendliness that she had felt
from everyone she met during
the visit. She did also admit
to me that such openness
and relaxed conversation
would be difficult for a female
police officer in Japan, due to the more reserved
cultural attitude. In addition of course, she was
introduced to traditional Welsh Bara Brith cake
and Welsh cakes during the refreshments. The
one thing that quickly became evident was the
way in which Saori would always move quickly
forward to open doors for me and also walk very
slightly one step behind me, both of which she
advised are the custom for ladies in Japan. She
did say however that she has definitely said a big
‘No’ to that custom as regards to her husband,
who is also a police officer. So that custom was
also quickly put to rest whilst in my company.
During an afternoon sightseeing in the City
Centre I introduced Saori to the Welsh Love
Spoon shop, explaining that they were presented
to ladies by the man as a token of his romantic
feelings. Further around the shop we came
upon a small slate item with the term ‘Cwtch’
engraved upon it. Now the word ‘cwtch’ is a
famous Welsh term for a very special cuddle
between close friends. I was ever so tempted to
provide a practical demonstration of this special
skill, but felt that it might be taking my duties as
the Region international liaison a step to far.
Later that evening we met with a number of
Branch members at the Y Mochyn Du pub/
restaurant in the city, where we enjoyed much
laughter between those present and many gifts
were exchanged, including a ferocious evil Dilwyn
Dragon. Despite the opportunity to sample
various Welsh dishes, Saori felt safer with a
simple Italian based meal.
During the rest of the week Saori attended the
Conference at the University, where the several
hundred participants attending were treated to
an opening reception that included a top Welsh
Male Voice Choir. I understand that Saori gave a
successful Presentation to her particular plenary
group, albeit she admitted to being very nervous
during the opening stages due to what she
considered to be her limited grasp of English. She
also took the opportunity to visit local tourist sites
such as Cardiff Castle and the Principality Rugby
Stadium
So ended a really enjoyable visit by a most
charming guest to Wales, who on times had
some real problems with understanding the very
close and easy style of affection that was evident
between IPA friends, both male and female,
several of whom were meeting for the first time at
the restaurant.
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POLICE WORLD
Vol 63 No. 1, 2018
Article