Photo: @kng_0
crime

Illustrator shows different types of perverts encountered on Japanese trains

109 Comments
By Big Neko, grape Japan

An unfortunate reality in Japan is that recently groping and sexual harassment incidents on trains or train platforms are not an uncommon topic to see in news headlines. Just recently media discussion about handling such incidents was sparked again by footage of school girls chasing down a man who had touched them inappropriately on a train, and even certain train stations have gained a reputation for similar incidents.

Japanese illustrator Nago (@ikng_0 recently took to Twitter to describe the different types of chikan (gropers, molesters) that appear on trains (man or woman).

From left to right, the illustration above shows chikan who:

(Front row)

Incessantly pat your hair.

Sit super close to you despite the train being empty.

Push their privates up against you.

Inset their foot in between yours, with a suspicious whole in their shoe (which may conceal a hidden camera).

(Bottom row)

Pour liquids on you.

Place their hands over yours on the hand strap.

Nibble on your hair

And as a case of extraordinary perverts--a nude person in a horse mask!

In response to the Tweet, many commented sharing their own experiences with chikan on trains. Nago picked up a few of them an illustrated them, hoping to shine a light on what some people unfortunately have been going through. These include:

Putting a used condom in your bag.

Using one of your earphones as you use them.

Sticking a tongue in your ear.

Unhooking your bra.

Licking your cheek or neck.

Grabbing a hold of your arms.

Rubbing elbows on your chest.

Putting their crotch close to your face (while you are sitting down).

Unbuttoning your shirt.

Cutting your skirt.

Touching your chest or butt when getting off the train.

Showing you obscene videos or images on their phone.

As you can see, some of the accounted experiences are truly awful. Hopefully the illustration and discussion around it can shift some much needed focus onto what many have had to endure for too long, and more attention can go into preventing these incidents.

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109 Comments
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We ought to have a national pepper spray day when all these skeevy blokes get sprayed, then kicked in their tamas by the entire ridership.

14 ( +18 / -4 )

the eating hair one made me laugh. are there people like this out there for real?? dang makes me feel pretty normal....

4 ( +11 / -7 )

Putting a used condom in your bag.

Ewwww :(

In other news:

DNA analysis identifies suspects in record 3,146 cases in 2018

13 ( +17 / -4 )

the eating hair one made me laugh. are there people like this out there for real??

Yup, judging by the endless parade of perversions documented on JT over the years. My all time fav is the dude who went around collecting women's bicycle seats b/c he like the "scent of the woman."

10 ( +12 / -2 )

Oh, that elbow-touching-boob one is something I am on constant vigil for, as it happens all the damn time.

I can also add a few more!

Whispering lewd things in your ear, so only you can hear them Tucking the bottom of your skirt into your waistband Unbuttoning the back of your dress Putting their hand flat on the seat in between you, surreptitiously sliding it closer and closer, and then using their pinky to rub your leg

-Giving your hair a good loud sniff, and checking to see your reaction

Taking their briefcase and purposely putting it in between your legs. Yes, this happens. And yes, it is on purpose. Getting up juuuuuuust a bit closer than the condition of the train warrants...not quite touching you.... letting you know they are there...looking over your shoulder or sniffing your neck... pretending they aren't doing anything... and playing it off like you are imaginging things when you shove them away.

Just so the pervs reading this know, we women know what you are up to. And personally, I have reached the age where I don't mind making a huge fuss, and I won't be embarrassed or back down when you play innocent and pretend you weren't doing anything. You will be called out. And I will retaliate by "accidentally" stomping on your foot with my high heels.

26 ( +29 / -3 )

It isn’t just men. I once had a woman who was behind me, press one breast against my back and then the other - repeatedly until I was able to move to get off the train. It was creepy.

14 ( +21 / -7 )

As we all utilize and enjoy public transport in Japan, it should be the responsibility of every passenger to make sure we are all commuting safely, and respectfully -- this is in part already a norm i.e. bad manners to talk on the phone, put on make-up, etc. let's add chikan/passengers in distress to the list.

Let's stop making excuses. Women only cars are a testament to a lot of things wrong in Japan, and shouldn't have to exist.

13 ( +16 / -3 )

I’m not sure which is more creepy. The images in the photo or the fact that it is necessary.

8 ( +10 / -2 )

Why are the illustrations all of dudes?I've had many women try to grope me, only to be overwhelmed by what they found.

Being a fat guy or chick is usually a good deterrent. Stay safe everyone!

-4 ( +10 / -14 )

@girl_in_tokyo I feel sorry for what you and many other people (men included) have to go through. Feels like you cant take a normal trainride anymore. The nerve of some guys..really. Please use your highheels more.

9 ( +11 / -2 )

I'm a tall blond guy, and I've had drunk women multiple times trying to feel up between my legs (handy in one hand, the other pushing against my crotch) in the train.

-1 ( +9 / -10 )

When I was pregnant a completely normal looking business man got on the train, stood next to me, and repeatedly 'bumped' his suitcase against my...area while I was standing in the corner between the door and the seats. It was busy enough that I couldn't change places but it was obviously deliberate as he was standing in with his back to me and had to move his arm back time and again to do it. I'm usually fine to stick up for myself but I was like 7 months pregnant and who knows what's going to happen. It was the like 10 minute nonstop train on the tobu tojo line from narimasu to ikebukuro. Been like 5 years and I still get p*ssed thinking about it.

12 ( +15 / -3 )

Why aren't all the victims of these assaults making a HUGE noise? I'd be yelling some choice words.

These pervs are counting on women's (or in some cases the men's) silence.

9 ( +12 / -3 )

... oh, and in tight trains, normal people (men and women alike) will push in sideways, it at least try to avoid "bottom against private parts" type of interactions. Then you have the odd woman that after noticing the gaijin, will very obviously and purposely push with her bottom right against that part. I usually block those with a properly placed backpack in front of me, but in emergency cases a good elbow in her back will get her under control.

-4 ( +5 / -9 )

Who knew the real victims of groping were men (6 comments already and it's early). Not to mention how victimized we are from wrongful accusations. As always, it seems a sizeable percentage of our fellow gaijin fit right in here.

And two downvotes for the poor pregnant recounting her own story. You people are a piece of work.

2 ( +12 / -10 )

It’s interesting to read all these delusions of grandeur from men who think women try to grope them and push up against them. Dreams are free fellas!

-6 ( +9 / -15 )

It’s interesting to read all these delusions of grandeur from men who think women try to grope them and push up against them. Dreams are free fellas!

Just because you haven't experienced it doesn't mean it doesn't happen to others. It MIGHT mean you are not as attractive as other men appear to some women. Then again, I'm in the same boat - it has not happened to me either.

3 ( +10 / -7 )

@ CP

My letter was an attempt to explain NOT excuse, but unfortunately these two very different words are too often conflated. It's amusing to see all these grungy details in print while my sober, scientific explanation is deemed not fit to publish.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

It’s interesting to read all these delusions of grandeur from men who think women try to grope them and push up against them. Dreams are free fellas!

I don't see what's far-fetched about it. A minority group is lusted after (where they may be seen as exotic, etc.), and may be seen as taboo. If you think women aren't equally capable of crime, you must be sleeping whilst scrolling through the crime section on this site.

Of course, when we think of chikan, we think of the stereotypical creepy man-- but men can also be victims.

Any unwanted touching -no matter the sex, gender, age, etc.- is wrong.

12 ( +14 / -2 )

It seems the animator is a professional

7 ( +7 / -0 )

The best illustration would be seeing the pervert knocked out cold on the floor of the train...

9 ( +10 / -1 )

Just because you haven't experienced it doesn't mean it doesn't happen to others. It MIGHT mean you are not as attractive as other men appear to some women. 

This is an unhealthy way of thinking - believing that the people who are committing these crimes are choosing victims based on their attractiveness. They are not. They are assaulting people who appear vulnerable, isolated/trapped, and/or unlikely to complain or fight back. Absolutely nothing to do with looks or clothing, although people like to victim-blame and shame in this way.

8 ( +10 / -2 )

Just because you haven't experienced it doesn't mean it doesn't happen to others.

Don't think anyone disagrees with that tbh, just the way it's being conveyed/delivered perhaps; ppl may feel those 'me too' blokes (lol) on here are hijacking the thread, making it all about themselves etc.

Thinly veiled arrogance/ cheap boastfulness imo. No one's gonna make me believe that the JT male victims on this thread just wanted to 'share their experience/story'. Look at me! Look at me! lol

3 ( +6 / -3 )

fellas, in packed trains always keep your hands up high so you can’t be wrongfully accused. No one would ever believe you otherwise

6 ( +8 / -2 )

All I’m saying is they better not mess with my girls, or else. I taught them what to do. No mercy for this scum.

0 ( +4 / -4 )

@girl_in_tokyo

And I will retaliate by "accidentally" stomping on your foot with my high heels.

Wear spiked heels.

However, make sure you hit the right guy. Hitting the wrong one would be worse than someone harassing you.

6 ( +6 / -0 )

@Kenji Fujimori

It seems the animator is a professional

Professional illustrator I hope you mean.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

I actually enjoy the comment section more than the article itself.

9 ( +9 / -0 )

This is an unhealthy way of thinking - believing that the people who are committing these crimes are choosing victims based on their attractiveness. They are not. They are assaulting people who appear vulnerable, isolated/trapped, and/or unlikely to complain or fight back. Absolutely nothing to do with looks or clothing, although people like to victim-blame and shame in this way.

@Maria

Indeed, but I must respectfully disagree, with the last bit you said. There is no victim blaming in saying that you're more likely to be targeted if you hop on the train in a two-piece bikini, than in a construction worker's uniform-hard hat and all. It's a bit of both: everything you mentioned about vulnerability AND a bit of attraction.

Attraction comes in all shapes, colors, and sizes, despite what Instagram is trying to push into the face of society.

This is just common sense, and NO I am not saying people shouldn't be allowed to wear xyz because of the way it makes others feel about them.

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

There are an awful lot of sexually frustrated people in Japan. Even burkas wouldn't work. Separate carriages is the simple, albeit not perfect solution.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

jcapanToday 07:26 am JSTthe eating hair one made me laugh. are there people like this out there for real??

Yup, judging by the endless parade of perversions documented on JT over the years. My all time fav is the dude who went around collecting women's bicycle seats b/c he like the "scent of the woman."

It can happen to males too. A few years ago a nutcase was harassing little boys, asking them to give him their socks and taking them if the boy refused. The cops finally arrested this 'boy's sock-fetish' guy in his apartment. He had pairs of boy's socks on a Christmas tree like ornaments. Crazy!

RecklessToday 10:42 am JST@ebisen: I certainly believe you. There are multiples of gaijin hunting aggressive women in Tokyo. Fortunately I do not fit there desired profile being short and bald and all.

Looks do not matter. I don't fit that profile but a few years ago a woman came right behind me and rubbed her fanny on mine in a public place. Some are like that.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

... The point I tried making is that not only men are chikan in Japan, like these cartoons portray. Also that in a very crowded train, sometimes it's difficult to distinguish between simple accidents and inappropriate behaviour, but in the other hand that sometimes the intention is very clear.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Its not just the men Japanese women have been known to grope Western men, so I'm guessing its something that has happened to local guys as well.

-1 ( +4 / -5 )

You guys should remember that there are also some chijo(痴女) who are female gropers. Although they are rare, surely exist! Actually when I was a high school boy I sometimes got groped by chijos.

1 ( +6 / -5 )

So many stories here smell like bs to me. A lot of them can be explained by saying that the train is to crowded, or a missunderstanding. Eather way, why the hell don't this women ask for help? Scream or something? Jeez!

0 ( +4 / -4 )

Let's do the NRA solution and give all women very cute, pink colored, petite revolver with a case, so they can shoot. Oh wait, the victims don't complain at time, let alone take action. That's why all these fuss.

If you are being a victim, immediately take action, rather than tolerating and making the perverts feel you like it. Ladies, you don't need a guide to know how you are being abused. When you don't like it, speak up immediately.

-5 ( +2 / -7 )

Sad to see that some people hear think that sexual assault and harassment is a source of amusement.

-3 ( +5 / -8 )

KariHaruka - The best illustration would be seeing the pervert knocked out cold on the floor of the train...

Ive seen that happen. A young woman had been assaulted by a creep on the train and she was abusing him in the platform. He was denying it, of course. Next thing, she gave him a beautifully executed karate kick to the chest and dropped him like the bag of poop he is.

3 ( +6 / -3 )

Happening World wide.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

The elusive chijo, as rare and mystical as a unicorn.

Right, I've been putting myself out there for years, trying to find one. Still waiting.

1 ( +7 / -6 )

Strangerland Today 01:12 pm JST

The elusive chijo, as rare and mystical as a unicorn.

Right, I've been putting myself out there for years, trying to find one. Still waiting.

Because women are more selective than men. They surely exist.

-2 ( +4 / -6 )

Because women are more selective than men. They surely exist.

I keep hoping...

2 ( +6 / -4 )

@Strangerland: Hope and opportunity may come together for you if you take the last train home when everyone is drunk and frisky, and standards have plummeted.

With my luck, I'll get groped by a closeted ojisan.

5 ( +7 / -2 )

My apologies for starting a men too theme - I assume it is rare. I rode Tokyo’s trains for over 40 years, and it only happened once. I truly sympathize with women who must run the gauntlet in order to support themselves and their families. Unfortunately I don’t have a solution.

4 ( +7 / -3 )

Frst, express in the train to others an apparent wrongdoing. Let s be honest, bumping into boobs can happen, and I am super careful.

Then just threaten...usually the guy will immediately stop and not get thrilled. If he experiences that attitude several times, he may stop thinking his perv activity is worth.

If necessary, give a smack or elbow punch (before turn enough to identify enough the guy)

Don't tell me train is packed so much you can't move. If you breath normally, you can move.(and Japanese are thin enough on average)

If you want to punish them once on the platform, use stinky liquid that follows you the whole day.

I have taught that to my girls...

0 ( +3 / -3 )

Usually the gropers are aged above 40. Those generation people are tough people having experienced of all kinds of generation. So it will take another 50 years to decline this pathetic fantasy.

But it will still keep going, however, becomes rare situation because young Japanese generation is different.

-3 ( +3 / -6 )

I can't believe that someone puts a used Condom in side a ladies handbag, how ( expletive ) disgusting is that? send it to a lab get the DNA and then the cops have got it on record to see if there is a pattern or if he's done it before. once they pervs have been caught and been prosecuted I think they they should have a bill board at the end of the platform with there picture on it. that would send a message out to would be pervs that this sort of behaviour won't be tolerated.

6 ( +6 / -0 )

I can't believe that someone puts a used Condom in side a ladies handbag, how ( expletive ) disgusting is that?

Some guys are reaaaaaaally weird about their sperm. Like saving it, or wanting to put it in ladies handbags or whatever. Really strange.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

A little while ago, my wife and I were riding in a nearly-empty train car towards Tokyo. We we're both looking at our phones. My wife had her elbow resting on her knee, so that the back of her hand was sticking out. Some older dude, stood right in front of my wife, held onto the hand strap, and over-exaggerated his swinging motions in reaction to the train's movement. He was trying to "accidentaly" bump his crotch against my wife's hand. I realized it right away for two reasons. Firstly, he was swaying way more violently than the train was. Secondly, the train car was almost completely empty. So, he could have had his choice of seats, or stood anywhere else. It was too much of a coincidence. I just looked him right in the eye and said "What the hell are you doing?" He moved away without having successfully made contact.

12 ( +12 / -0 )

In common with some of the male posters above, I once was on the receiving end of what could be described as inappropriate contact on a train. A lady pushed up really closely behind me and moved her body against mine in an inappropriate way. To be honest though, I didn't object or try to move away. In fact, it brightened up the journey.

2 ( +9 / -7 )

I've definitely been in situations where I think someone was copping a feel but it could have been a weird accident so I just give them the benefit of the doubt. Most men are good and just want to mind their own business on the train like anyone else so unless I'm absolutely sure I wouldn't make a fuss. The guy trying to 'rub' me with his briefcase wasn't ambiguous at all. If I weren't heavily pregnant at the time I probably would have made a fuss. I felt too vulnerable at the time and to be honest... when it came down to it would the police really believe me over him? Probably not, I'm only a guest in this country. I just wanted to get away for the sake of myself in my baby. Not sure why that deserves downvotes but it is what it is I guess.

6 ( +8 / -2 )

All women should learn some form of self defence or fighting art if at all possible.

My wife and I both train in Taekwondo and Aikido. Aikido would be good for dealing with these pathetic chikan creeps in crowded trains I think.

-5 ( +4 / -9 )

making articles , illustrations will not really help solve these issues at all. Over and over again Japan keeps reporting about sexual harrasment and perverts in the tran, but they are not really willing to end this problem.

I think the all source of these is their extreme pornography. I am not saying totally ban it, but I think Japan needs to regulate what kind of pornography they are making. I think that triggers these perverts to do what these nasty things. They condemn it but at the same time advertisements about sexualizing highschool girls are available everywhere. It needs regualtion.

They have to be more strict during rush hours. If there is a women's carriage they have to strictly ask women to use it except if they are traveling with a man. Every morning the train gets extremely congested. You'll get pushed and cannot avoid to have body contacts with people (men and women). Some men's faces would end up getting too close to a woman's hair and she can make quick wrong assumptions. So to avoid these , prohibit women in using the men's carriage.

In Europe I saw double decked trains (even in subways) I think Japan should think about investing on these too.

There are so many ways to avoid these and solve these problems. But Japan is not really doing anything to fix this or they are doing it incorrectly.

-6 ( +3 / -9 )

Omachi is correct, men aren't the only ones doing those types of things. Years ago, I used to ride the train from HigashiKanagawa towards Omiya. I always sat on the end nearest the front. Several times, the same woman got on the train after me, hurried to the end where I was, and rested her butt cheeks against my elbow. She had to have known what she was doing, because the only thing between me and her was her skirt, and my upper arm what's planted firmly between her cheeks. I'll admit it didn't bother me because, I was too dumb then to realize how dangerous the situation was.

-5 ( +1 / -6 )

sensei258

My god mate, be careful. Your whole life could have been ruined by false accusations from her.

-2 ( +3 / -5 )

savethegaijin

When I was pregnant a completely normal looking business man got on the train, stood next to me, and repeatedly 'bumped' his suitcase against my...area while I was standing in the corner between the door and the seats. It was busy enough that I couldn't change places but it was obviously deliberate as he was standing in with his back to me and had to move his arm back time and again to do it. I'm usually fine to stick up for myself but I was like 7 months pregnant and who knows what's going to happen. It was the like 10 minute nonstop train on the tobu tojo line from narimasu to ikebukuro. Been like 5 years and I still get p*ssed thinking about it.

I don't mean to disagree with you or defend the salary man , but how crowded is the train? Is it really jampacked? Or not at all? Was there a women's carriage? If you are pregnant you know you can sit in the Usen seki right? I am just asking because I think we need more information , the reason being is sometimes during rush hour and when the trains gets really congested its really unavoidable to have body contacts etc.Last year  I witnessed a situation when one girl (20s) shouted 'Chikan' at one salary man while he was not really doing anything. I saw clearly and another lady next to me that the guy didnt intentionally touch the girl. She felt something indeed but she maybe misunderstood. Unfortunately they have to pull the guy out and was already judged by the people around as pervert even if they are not really sure if he is really guilty ot not. I realized how  dangerous it can really be. This is why in my opinion women should all just stay in women's only carriage. But if the train isnt really crowded and he did that to you, yes he is a pervert.

-5 ( +0 / -5 )

I've only witnessed a perv on a Yamanote line train once, trying to lift the skirt of a young lady... and just stared at him to try to make him stop - I was a tourist and wasn't about to start throwing my weight around. I'm not into confrontation, I'm not brave but found that making eye contact was sufficient to let him know that I could see what he was up to.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

A good link to the picture please?

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/D7vCAYfUIAE6lzV.jpg:large

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Omachi

My apologies for starting a men too theme - I assume it is rare. I rode Tokyo’s trains for over 40 years, and it only happened once. I truly sympathize with women who must run the gauntlet in order to support themselves and their families. Unfortunately I don’t have a solution.

That's the other sad reality. When men cry foul for sexual harrasment majority don't take it seriously.

1 ( +5 / -4 )

see above, I got a negative for posting a solution. Everyone acts mad and have opinions about seku-hara. But no one really wants to regulate or give up their porns hahaha

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

making articles , illustrations will not really help solve these issues at all. Over and over again Japan keeps reporting about sexual harrasment and perverts in the tran, but they are not really willing to end this problem.

The very fact that it's being talked about, when it previously wasn't, shows your assertion to be wrong. The more people talk about it, and get it out there that it's wrong, the less it will happen.

That's how things work in Japan.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Guys, don't tell women how to handle chikan. I've seen all kinds of suggestions here, from "yell" to "use Aikido". None of these are things any individual woman hasn't considered, and probably rejected for her own personal reasons.

When a woman confronts a man directly, she is taking a big chance. Men have killed women just for refusing to give them a phone number, and it is not at all uncommon for a woman to have experienced a scary moment when a guy got angry and she thought he might hurt her. We have to gauge each experience carefully, according to several factors.

For example, are there other people who might step in if he attacks me? Am I physically strong enough to fight back if something goes sideways? Does he seem like the type who would attack, or does he seem like the type who would back off? How willing am I to get into it with this particular man? How can I keep myself safe.

I'm scrappier than is probably good for me, and personally, I don't hesitate to point fingers and confront the guy if I think something is up. But you can't expect all women to be like me - some women have had really bad experiences which make them fearful, some women have a shy or timid personality so feel embarrassed, and other women are simply sizing up the situation and making the decision that feels best for them in that moment.

Don't assume you know what is best and don't give unsolicited advice - but above all, don't judge. We have very good reasons for our actions and frankly, I don't think any woman owes it to any man to justify her reaction.

6 ( +9 / -3 )

strangerland

The very fact that it's being talked about, when it previously wasn't, shows your assertion to be wrong. The more people talk about it, and get it out there that it's wrong, the less it will happen.

That's how things work in Japan.

How many years they've been talking about this? What are they waiting for? Are they just gonna keep talking about it? Are they really willing to end this?

They are condemning seku-hara, while there are hundreds of productions of Rape and groping themed adult videos . Girls who just turned 18 were dressed in highschool uniforms and allowed to be AV actresses. If they are willing to stop why don't they just simply start from there? Ban these absurd genres! Don't be too naive that these videos don't affect the perverts minds, they do! That's what pushes them to do this.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Good grief... they walk among us!

I've had many women try to grope me, only to be overwhelmed by what they found.

Wow, you must be a real stud muffin!

2 ( +2 / -0 )

This is an unhealthy way of thinking - believing that the people who are committing these crimes are choosing victims based on their attractiveness. They are not. They are assaulting people who appear vulnerable, isolated/trapped, and/or unlikely to complain or fight back. Absolutely nothing to do with looks or clothing, although people like to victim-blame and shame in this way.

Complete rubbish! Speaking personally, it’s all about the luxe, not vulnerability.

-5 ( +1 / -6 )

I was on a slightly crowded elevator once with my wife and a cute little honey came right up to me, turned around and began rubbing her backside up against me. I was trying to make myself small and moving back as far as I could go against the back wall of the elevator and she kept right on coming. After we got off, my wife asked me if I noticed how that woman was intentionally rubbing herself up against me. I was like, "She was?!"

-5 ( +2 / -7 )

How many years they've been talking about this? What are they waiting for? Are they just gonna keep talking about it? Are they really willing to end this?

Shifting the goalposts there. You started off claiming they’re doing nothing.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Different types? How many are there?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Strangerland

Shifting the goalposts there. You started off claiming they’re doing nothing.

Those are questions dude.  Since you are suggesting that these illustrations will trigger the Japanese society to talk about the issue, so I asked, How long will they keep on talking about this!? Because that's all they do , talk and complain about seku-hara but does no solid solution! Yes I do believe that they are not doing anything that is why I am asking for solutions because I think Japan is too linient on stopping perverts.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Different types? How many are there?

You don't want to know. Neither do I.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

How long will they keep on talking about this!? Because that's all they do , talk and complain about seku-hara but does no solid solution!

They aren’t a nation where everyone has to freak out in protest. Change comes from the people, and starts with talk, so they can come to a slow agreement of what the problem is and move to deal with it. Is it fast? No. But it’s japan.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Girl in Tokyo

Guys, don't tell women how to handle chikan. I've seen all kinds of suggestions here, from "yell" to "use Aikido". None of these are things any individual woman hasn't considered, and probably rejected for her own personal reasons.

I totally agree, that's why the government and the train companies should find a solution to end or at least avoid this. And honestly they are not giving so much effort on this.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Strangerland

Once again a foreigner proclaiming that japan is broken because they don’t do things the way the foreigner thinks they should, while clearly having no understanding of how things come about in Japan.

Well then don't expect for this issue to be fixed. And foreigners like you complaining about seku-hara is totally waste of time.

Take note, foreigners here have daughters who use the trains too. I think they also have the right to suggest on how their daughters not fall victims to these predators.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Well then don't expect for this issue to be fixed.

Because there is only one way to solve a problem and the Japanese are wrong. Got it.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

It can happen to males too. A few years ago a nutcase was harassing little boys, asking them to give him their socks and taking them if the boy refused. The cops finally arrested this 'boy's sock-fetish' guy in his apartment. He had pairs of boy's socks on a Christmas tree like ornaments. Crazy!

I remember that case but I wasn't talking about pedophiles. Of course, I'm familiar with boys or even teens who are targeted by men or women. My annoyance is with the fantasists, who back in the day started their tales on Penthouse with stories like the above: "And then her hand cupped my ..." For every 99 woman groped on a train, a lone dude is rubbed on by a mentally unstable woman, OK, maybe. It may be even lower than. And say a 100 guys were groped on a train, how many would be unhappy about it--judging by some of the commentary upstream. Apparently not as many as you'd think. So, a fractional problem that isn't even seen as untoward by the "victims" somehow takes precedence in a discussion about the actual victims of a serious social problem. Isn't that weird (and predictable for anyone who's been reading these threads over the years).

Men are basically profoundly ignorant about what women experience or how they feel about it, so they start telling their own trivial/farfetched tales, ignorant of the inverted power dynamics at work. Even if you don't welcome a woman's advances, are you as terrified as our pregnant commenter was, as a 12 year old girl was?

Complete rubbish! Speaking personally, it’s all about the luxe, not vulnerability.

Personally speaking--what does that mean exactly? And of course vulnerability is the principal factor:

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/articles/200901/marked-mayhem

2 ( +4 / -2 )

When a woman confronts a man directly, she is taking a big chance. Men have killed women just for refusing to give them a phone number, and it is not at all uncommon for a woman to have experienced a scary moment when a guy got angry and she thought he might hurt her. We have to gauge each experience carefully, according to several factors.

I sympathize as long as you aren't thinking this is a female-only problem. Any confrontation against a ... well let's just call them "bullies" ... has these risks. The bully did not pick you because you looked stronger than him. It's not even outside the question that some remnant fragment of childhood indoctrination (don't hit girls) may make you safer than a male with the same imbalance in factors like muscle size.

-6 ( +0 / -6 )

Illustrator shows different types of perverts encountered on Japanese trains

Hey, I resemble that remark! ;-]

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Articles like this one make me think that there really are some big cultural differences in the world.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

More train cars so they are much less full, and instal cameras for evidence. Forgot who said, but double decking the trains would be difficult since most trains use overhead catenary wires.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Kazuaki ShimazakiToday 06:40 pm JST

I sympathize as long as you aren't thinking this is a female-only problem. Any confrontation against a ... well let's just call them "bullies" ... has these risks. The bully did not pick you because you looked stronger than him. It's not even outside the question that some remnant fragment of childhood indoctrination (don't hit girls) may make you safer than a male with the same imbalance in factors like muscle size.

What part about "women have been murdered for not giving men their phone number" did you not understand?

4 ( +4 / -0 )

It’s not just sexual harassment.

I had a guy trying to expel detritus from his nasal passages right next to me on the train a week ago-disgusting!

Standards are slipping.....

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

As for solutions to the pervert problem, some men being the way they are and women being the way they are (for the most part), the simplest thing to do is to keep the sexes apart altogether by providing separate cars.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

Personally speaking--what does that mean exactly?

It means I would not molest a girl because she is vulnerable.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

What part about "women have been murdered for not giving men their phone number" did you not understand?

Do you wish to contend males have never been killed for trivial reasons?

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

Kazuaki Shimazaki: "I sympathize as long as you aren't thinking this is a female-only problem."

So you don't sympathize with women assaulted by men if they think that. Noted.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

I sympathize as long as you aren't thinking this is a female-only problem. Any confrontation against a ... well let's just call them "bullies" ... has these risks. The bully did not pick you because you looked stronger than him. It's not even outside the question that some remnant fragment of childhood indoctrination (don't hit girls) may make you safer than a male with the same imbalance in factors like muscle size.

You're shifting the discussion from sexual assault on public transportation, whose victims are overwhelmingly female, to a broader debate about bully culture as it affects everyone. Not to mention what smith points out, that your sympathy for a female victim of violent sexual assault would depends on whether she's enlightened enough to know that boys are often bullied too.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

It isn’t just men. I once had a woman who was behind me, press one breast against my back and then the other - repeatedly until I was able to move to get off the train. It was creepy.

Oh no, you poor thing. let me start a gofundme to help you with the suffering. I don't know what I would do if this happened.

Maybe turn around?

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

shogun36: "Oh no, you poor thing. let me start a gofundme to help you with the suffering. I don't know what I would do if this happened."

Look, I sure wouldn't put up a fuss if that happened to me, but that is beside the issue. If it was an unwelcome sexual advance it is assault. The double standards are part of the problem. Here is literally what you are saying:

A man rubbing his groin against a woman or groping her: assault

A woman doing the same: "boo hoo".

Imagine if you said "boohoo" to a woman voicing a similar complaint. Just sayin'

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

I traveled throughout Europe by train, and never witnessed, and never heard tale about, anything like what is described in the article. So, I wonder if this is a Japanese cultural thing. I do not think it is spread worldwide.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

1glennToday 05:28 pm JST

I traveled throughout Europe by train, and never witnessed, and never heard tale about, anything like what is described in the article. So, I wonder if this is a Japanese cultural thing. I do not think it is spread worldwide.

Do a google search in your native language, in English, and in any other language that you can speak, and you'll find results. It happens everywhere.

In my travels, I've personally encountered gropers on trains in India, USA (New York), and the UK (London). I've heard from friends that it happens in Rome quite often, as well as Mexico and India. I have also been groped in India, but it was not on a train. India is well known as being a danger for lone female travelers on public transport, whether they are Indian women or tourists.

Sexual assault on women is a worldwide problem.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Sorry, I miss typed. I meant to write that I have encountered gropers on trains in Japan, the USA, and the UK, and I was groped on the street in India. For that matter, I was groped on the street in Amsterdam as well.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

You're shifting the discussion from sexual assault on public transportation, whose victims are overwhelmingly female, to a broader debate about bully culture as it affects everyone. 

My sense is that GiT started this by moving to the entire field of confronting males in general. Besides, since the common refrain is that the "sexual predator", be it a chikan or rapist, is usually really after domination rather than sex. Which makes him basically a form of bully, don't you think?

I can accept that GiT might just be ignorant. But even if she is fighting a pit of blackness, why does her statement just assume that males never have to confront the dilemmas of confrontation?

Here's a hint to all. If you want sympathy, try and see if you can make it a problem your target demographic can share in, rather than something parochial to your own.

-4 ( +0 / -4 )

Here's a hint to all. If you want sympathy, try and see if you can make it a problem your target demographic can share in, rather than something parochial to your own.

Says the guy who just typed "I can accept that GiT might just be ignorant." Hashtag: art of persuasion. I doubt if she or anyone doubts that men have to occasionally deal with bullies. I just wonder how it's a relevant part of this discussion. And I fundamentally reject your idea that victims need to enlist my sympathies. When children are targeted by sexual predators do they first have to make their "problem understandable" to adult men before gaining our sympathy? Women are being assaulted by perverts on trains--why wouldn't our default position be to commiserate with them, and seek to eradicate this problem. It's not hard.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Goes to show you, when you have a large majority of people jam packed, anywhere and in any place, lacking a compass of morality and goodness within their heart and mind, you have some very sick, dangerous, and disturbing people who will do anything to anyone in a vulnerable position they feel they can get away with. Very dangerous and disturbing. You did not have that a long time ago. For children or adults. I wonder why.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

with a suspicious whole in their shoe

A whole WHAT in their shoe?

The mind boggles!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I'm not entirely surprised TBH, saddened but unsurprised, there is definitely a streak of perversity in modern Japanese culture. When I was in Vienna visiting the Belvedere, I wondered why all the statues had darkened boobs - I soon found out. The male Japanese tourists were taking turns groping the busts of the statues! no one else, just Japanese tourists. later that day I was waiting for a train in Vienna station, and was sat next to a young Japanese woman. There was a very drunk man sat behind us and his arms were all over the poor woman (possibly by mistake but I'm not sure. After about five minutes of this, I suggested to her that she move to an empty seat across from us, which she gratefully did with much bowing and thanking. It saddened me that she felt she had to endure this situation, and that she only acted when advised to do so by another male, it was almost as if she needed permission from a man to escape the situation.

It's very easy for westerners to call Japanese women out for not making more of a fuss, but they have not been brought up in the Japanese culture that moulds women to quietly accept what happens to them. What excuse the men have I don't exactly know - possibly none.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

It isn’t just men. I once had a woman who was behind me, press one breast against my back and then the other - repeatedly until I was able to move to get off the train. It was creepy.

Omachi, I presume that the real image of that woman must be very different from that before you turned around to see her.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Which train line have foreign men experienced women groping them? Times? Stations?

Asking for a friend...

2 ( +2 / -0 )

You guys should remember that there are also some chijo(痴女) who are female gropers. Although they are rare, surely exist!

> Which train lines have men experienced women groping them? Times? Stations?

Asking for a friend...

Good question. I would also like to know, but asking for myself.

I will document their actions, free of charge for the public. You are welcome.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Did the last one relly happened?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Stuck in Sardines Can full of perverts. What a horror movie

0 ( +0 / -0 )

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