A former deputy chief of Tokyo Gov. Shintaro Ishihara's task force on public safety is questioning some of the projects the metropolitan government has been promoting.

Hiroshi Kubo, who released a book titled "Chian wa Hontouni Akkashiteirunoka?" ("Is Public Safety Really Deteriorating?") in June, said such steps could make people excessively wary, encourage prejudice against foreigners and benefit those in authority like police.

Some analysts say these concerns are entirely reasonable and have urged authorities to work harder to get rid of factors threatening public order, including the widening income disparity, instead of simply telling people to brace themselves for possible crimes.