If you’re non-Japanese and live in Japan for any longer than a few moments, the police at your local koban will recognize your existence. Sometimes they’ll visit for mutual introduction, which is a good thing as then you’re mutually introduced. I’ve had a few interactions with them (most recently, I smelled a gas leak at a vacant house near mine and called for a discrete inspection - it was near midnight - and a dozen emergency vehicles showed up in minutes with all their bells and sirens blazing). They thanked me as it turned out to be potentially disastrous.
The other day, an ear infection had left me disoriented, so I opted to drive to the ear, nose and throat clinic a kilometer down the street (the Japanese is a direct translation - “jibiiinnkouka” 「耳鼻咽喉科」）and, having neglected to seatbelt myself, was immediately stopped by a cop who called me by name. I explained my situation, and he said that, as he’d stopped me, he was required to ticket me, which he did, and I politely thanked him (verbally, at least) and continued on my way.
It was later that I noticed the “ticket” I’d received was not the green of the type I normally (and too frequently) receive - it was white. (Further research has unearthed a third type - red, which is issued for violations entailing criminal prosecution - fortunately, I’m not familiar with those; they’re known respectively as “kotsuihan aokippu and akakippu” 「交通違反青キップ赤キップ」). Closer inspection showed that it was a warning (“kokuchihyo” 「告知票」), not a ticket, and as such entailed no fine nor license penalty point loss. All three types are pictured below.
Lesson: Be nice to your local police. If this had happened in a place where they didn’t know me, I’d be a few thousand yen and one point poorer. - William