Sapporo subway stations sport a new sign. I first saw them on Nov. 28 on all stations I used (Sapporo, Odori, Kotoni and Hassamu Minami).

The Japanese part is pronounced



'Kanshi kamera sadouchuu'



which means exactly the same as the second line of the English translation.



What caught my eye was the first English line



'Warning!'



This is not a part of the Japanese message.



For me, signs like these have two purposes:

1. To tell law abiding residents 'Here you are safe. We keep an eye open for your security'

2. To give a warning to criminals better not to try to be bad, because they will be caught.



Is it that only foreigners (and only the English reading ones) need to be cautioned extra with that stern 'Warning'?

Japanese are served purpose 1, while foreigners need to be reminded of reason 2?



I am sure that the designer of that sign did not act out of malice. I think it is more a slip of pen. But this slip allows a deep look into the psyche of those who ordered the sign - officials of Sapporo city.