You are required to show your card to police when they suspect there is a crime. You can refuse by asking if there is a reason to believe there was a crime and if this is a "professional inquiry"
If yes, they must provide the reason. [1] At that point, you may have to show them your card depending on the circumstances. They may leave you alone, however.
My experience: I was once taking photos in a dark alley for some cyberpunk type shots around 9 p.m. I was approached by two officers who asked, "What are you doing here?" Kind of a trick question, because then they said, "Oh, you speak Japanese. Do you have your resident's card?"
I complied here because of the optics. After complying to show my card, my bag and me were fully searched which I was not okay with. After that I experience, I became well acquainted with my rights because, at that time, I did know them well.
As a gaijin in Japan, you have exactly the rights the police officer wishes to afford you and no more.
Police have almost unlimited power in Japan, and gaijin have no rights at all. Japanese citizens have some, but in general will not exercise them due to their cultural upbringing.
If yes, they must provide the reason. [1] At that point, you may have to show them your card depending on the circumstances. They may leave you alone, however.
My experience: I was once taking photos in a dark alley for some cyberpunk type shots around 9 p.m. I was approached by two officers who asked, "What are you doing here?" Kind of a trick question, because then they said, "Oh, you speak Japanese. Do you have your resident's card?"
I complied here because of the optics. After complying to show my card, my bag and me were fully searched which I was not okay with. After that I experience, I became well acquainted with my rights because, at that time, I did know them well.
1 - https://www.japantimes.co.jp/community/2014/04/02/issues/rig...
[1]'s source / reference: http://www.debito.org/shokumushitsumon.html