Question from a reader:
Today, when I went down from the 3rd floor to the 2nd floor of Round One, I spotted a suspiciously dressed man in his late 20s to early 30s. After glancing at the 1st floor, he looked at me twice. Later, when I went to return some tokens with my younger siblings, he headed towards the restroom
but stopped to fiddle with his phone. After reuniting with his friends, he hurriedly went down the escalator. Could he be someone conducting undercover surveillance? I’m also curious if I might be the target. I wonder if there is someone being investigated on the 1st floor, and I think I might be overthinking it, but what do you think?

An Anxious Encounter at Round One: Considering the Possibility of Undercover Surveillance

Recently, I heard an anxious episode from a friend. It was an incident at a playground called Round One. While going down from the 3rd floor to the 2nd floor, they noticed a suspiciously dressed man. He glanced at the 1st floor and then looked at my friend twice. After that, he headed towards the restroom and was fiddling with his phone. It’s understandable that anyone would feel anxious in such a situation, especially with the thought, “Could I be the target of something?” Now, let’s examine this situation from a legal perspective.

What is Undercover Surveillance?

First, when people hear the term undercover surveillance, many likely associate it with “police investigations” or “criminal investigations.” Undercover surveillance refers to investigations or monitoring conducted primarily by police or investigative agencies without the target’s awareness. This aims to gather evidence of crimes or track the behavior of specific individuals. While undercover surveillance itself is legal, there are strict laws governing its implementation. For example, under Japan’s Criminal Procedure Code, investigative agencies have certain restrictions regarding evidence collection. Investigations must be lawful and conducted within necessary limits. Arbitrarily monitoring ordinary citizens could infringe on privacy rights. Therefore, even when investigations are conducted, legal procedures must be followed.

The Background of the Doubt

The background of my friend’s anxiety stems from the conspicuous behavior of the individual in question. The fact that a suspiciously dressed man looked at them twice is a factor that would lead anyone to think, “Is something going on?” Additionally, the behavior of fiddling with his phone in the restroom, while it might be a mere coincidence, is still concerning. From a psychological perspective, we have an unconscious tendency to find meaning in others’ behaviors. “Was that person looking at me because I’m doing something suspicious? Or are they interested in me?” Such thoughts naturally circulate in our minds.

The Line Between Privacy and Surveillance

Next, let’s consider whether that man was genuinely conducting undercover surveillance. As mentioned earlier, undercover surveillance is conducted based on legal grounds. If that man were a police officer, there would have to be some legal basis for his actions. However, it is illegal for ordinary citizens to monitor others without permission. Such actions would infringe on individual privacy rights and are not easily permitted. This means that if the man were an undercover investigator, the likelihood of my friend being the target is very low.

Overthinking is Possible

I would also feel anxious if I were in such a situation. Like my friend, I might overthink things. However, upon reflection, in many cases, such worries are unnecessary. Especially in a public place like Round One, this is even more so. Perhaps that man was simply interested in something. For instance, he might have been curious about the medal game my friend was playing. There’s no need to interpret it negatively without reason.

Mindset and Crime Prevention Awareness

That said, it is inevitable for such doubts to arise. Feeling anxious internally is a part of self-defense. Being sensitive to the surrounding situation to protect oneself is important, in my opinion. This awareness is particularly crucial for younger generations. On the other hand, excessive doubt and anxiety can disrupt daily life. As my friend experienced, even minor incidents can lead to significant anxiety. Therefore, I believe it is essential to find a balance. Ideally, one should maintain a sense of self-protection while also being relaxed.

Conclusion

In conclusion, I have examined the incident at Round One from legal and psychological perspectives. While my friend’s anxiety is understandable, the possibility of undercover surveillance seems low. What is important is to be aware of the surrounding situation to protect oneself while not harboring unnecessary anxiety. Moving forward, I want to remain vigilant about such incidents in public places while striving to maintain mental balance. Creating an environment where I can feel safe is the best form of crime prevention awareness.