crime

Man arrested after jumping onto tracks over trouble on train

37 Comments

A 35-year-old man was arrested for disrupting railway operations on the Keihin Tohoku line on Thursday night, after he jumped onto train tracks following trouble with another passenger on the train, police said Friday.

According to police, the incident occurred at around 10:20 p.m. at JR Kawaguchi Station in Saitama Prefecture. The man, identified as Satoshi Otsuka, reportedly got into a confrontation with a female co-passenger after he spilled a canned drink on the woman inside the train, Fuji TV reported. Shortly after the two started an argument, Otsuka fled the train at the station, jumped onto the train tracks and climbed over the safety fence.

He was arrested at the scene on charges of violating the Railway Operation Act.

According to representatives of the railway company, train operations were temporarily suspended as a result of the incident.

Otsuka was quoted by police as saying he panicked because he thought he would be mistaken for a groper.

Police said the woman told them she had not been groped and that she and Otsuka had argued over his drink being spilled on her clothes.

The case comes after a recent series of incidents in which men, accused of being gropers, have jumped onto train tracks in an attempt to flee the scene. Earlier this week, a man accused of groping a woman aboard a train was hit and killed by a train at Aobadai Station in Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture, after he jumped onto tracks, attempting to get away.

According to police, since March, there have been at least eight cases in the Kanto region in which accused gropers jumped onto the tracks to escape.

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37 Comments
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In your case I would suggest you ride a bike, or motorbike to work rather than taking the train.

I'm well ahead of you on that - I commute by bike. I only catch the train when I have to go to meetings or somewhere to far to reasonably bike.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

I would suggest that when someone accuses you of something, pull out your phone and ask them if they would like you to phone for the cops to come to the next station.

Fair enough. Personally though, I'm still going to run. But for other people I actually just spent a whack of time translating five points on what you should do if falsely accused, but this stupid site gave me the weird error about not originating from the expected location or something. So here is my summation of those five points (not going to translate it again):

1) Clearly and loudly state that you didn't grope anyone or touch the woman

2) Record everything. It's legal to secretly record the events in Japan, though if you're fidgeting with you're phone it may make cause you problems later from looking guilty, so don't be afraid to openly record everything as it happens.

3) Do not leave the location in which you are accused. Station attendants may try to get you to go to the station offices, however they will start to question you hard once you are inside, and if your lawyer shows up, they will not be allowed in. Instead, state that you are not running and are not hiding and you want to talk about it right then and there. It also makes it easier to confirm details if you are in the location. Do not leave until it has been confirmed that you are innocent.

4) Be seen. Try to stop any witnesses. It can also happen that when your lawyer is putting together your defense, people who previously said nothing at the location may state that they actually did see what happened, but were not able to say anything at the time.

5) Get the accuser to clearly state their claim. Do not go first. It is up to them as the accuser to state what happened. If you start off with 'I was standing by the door on the fourth car', they will frame their accusation to say the same thing. Also, they may make a claim along the lines of the groping happening from Tokyo station, but you got on the train after Tokyo station. Have them state their case, then afterwards you can point out any discrepancies or issues.

Link: https://www.step-law.jp/nice-legal/keijijiken/entry00064.html

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Because no will will remember where your hands were

That's why you call it out right then and there, and get bystanders to acknowledge it.

no one most likely will come forward for your defense.

If you don't keep your hands visible, no one can come to your defense and say they were. If you do keep your hands visible, someone may or may not come forward. Better to stack the deck in your favor in my opinion.

You are making a personal assumption and in my opinion a wrong one.

It's not my personal assumption, it's common knowledge among Japanese. Look how many men have been reported as running recently. And as for rates of conviction:

実際、起訴されれば無罪になる確率が0.02%であり、1審で有罪になると、新証拠が出されないと無罪になりにくい

In actuality, if charges are pressed, the probability of being found not guilty is 0.02%, and if you are initially found guilty, without new evidence it's difficult to be found not guilty [later].

Link: https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E7%97%B4%E6%BC%A2%E5%86%A4%E7%BD%AA

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Keeping your hands visible are meaningless on a crowded train

Why?

if you run and are caught the cops will think you are guilty so I would remain and face the questions and hopefully prove my innocence.

If you stay and are caught, the cops will also think you're guilty. And they'll follow it up with prosecution. And pretty much every time you'll be found guilty in the subsequent trial.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Why bother to keep your hand visible why go to the hassle if you are going to run.

You can't run while you're still on the train, unless you climb out a window or something.

I keep my hands visible because if I was on the train and someone suddenly accused me of being a groper, without moving, I'd say 'what are you talking about? Look at my hands, they are up here'. I'd also call on other passengers to note that. Then, if the train stopped at the next station, and she was still trying to accuse me, I'd run like made.

You just ridicule and attack my action

I haven't ridiculed you. As for your actions, if I recall correctly I said it's good on you if you're willing to spend three weeks in jail, and risk your freedom trying to prove your innocence in court. I wouldn't do it though.

just politely mention you state the opposite

I showed three links above where I have said the exact same thing in this thread. I've been very consistent all along.

I just say you are now proven to be hypocritical

Where? You haven't shown me to do anything hypocritical, much less proven it.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

Ok Stranger you get accused of groping on the train. The first thing you will do is run. That what your saying. That you would run. Ok I wouldn't, run but if you are always going to run , Why bother to keep your hand visible why go to the hassle if you are going to run. When I stated (Not this Item nor any above) keep your hand visible in the other article, you have not even comment yet, You just ridicule and attack my action go keeping my hand visible, that the only option is to run. So tell me if you always are going to run, way bother the keep your hand visible ? I was not being hole then thou, just politely mention you state the opposite but now I just say you are now proven to be hypocritical

1 ( +1 / -0 )

So tell me Stranger how is "I'd take my chances.

I think you're asking what I mean by "I'd take my chances". I mean I'd take my chances and run. Better to take the chance of being caught after the fact and found to be guilty, than to wait around for it to happen.

You were positive before that would not help before

I've repeatedly stated that I keep my hands in view on threads like these. I say it pretty much every time. Here are just a few examples:

https://japantoday.com/category/have-your-say/what-advice-would-you-give-to-a-man-who-believes-he-has-been-wrongly-accused-of-groping-by-a-woman-on-a-crowded-train-what-should-he-do-for-example-recently-some-accused-gropers-have-jumped-onto-t#comment-1458824

https://japantoday.com/category/crime/Accused-groper-hit-killed-by-train-after-jumping-onto-tracks#comment-1478334

https://japantoday.com/category/crime/japan-guilty-until-proven-innocent-documentary-shines-light-on-controversial-legal-system?comment-order=popular#comment-1397640

Look I understand that people like to be correct all the time

Sure, it would be nice to never be wrong. But it happens, and I'm ok with it when it does. What I don't like though is you being all holier-than-thou, while accusing me of things I haven't said. You should make sure that you have read correctly before making accusations.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

So tell me Stranger how is "I'd take my chances. Though I'm pretty careful to not be a victim in the first place by keeping my hands always visible ,different to me keeping my hand always visible. You were positive before that would not help before and running is your only option. Look I understand that people like to be correct all the time, I not having a go at you but is it strange that I am some how different to you. when I keep my hand visible to you keeping your hand visible. There is really no differences.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

you did state that this would be useless if accused of groping because the Japanese police will always take the womens word before the accused on the same subject.

I don't believe I actually did state that, but regardless it's essentially what I think, which is why if I were to be accused of groping, even with my hands visible, I'd run.

Now your saying you take your chances and not run . That is a total 180% turn around Stranger.

I didn't say that.

Last week a man jumped onto the tracks and killed due to the same circumstance. So I was correct in stated to not run and to defend the charge of groping.

I think anyone should do whatever they feel is correct. I've never said anyone should or shouldn't run. I've only said I would run, and that I understand why others run.

I must say that agreeing with me about not running stranger is the best thing one can do if innocent.

Hopefully that makes them feel better when they are presumed guilty and spend 23 days locked up, then go through years of trials, to hopefully be found innocent, but likely found guilty.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

Yes Stranger keep your hand always visible, but you did state that this would be useless if accused of groping because the Japanese police will always take the womens word before the accused on the same subject. That why this man ran because of this fact you stated. Now your saying you take your chances and not run . That is a total 180% turn around Stranger. You really went at me when I suggested to deny because I text always when on the train, Hence time is recorded of the texting so my hand were doing texting not groping. Last week a man jumped onto the tracks and killed due to the same circumstance. So I was correct in stated to not run and to defend the charge of groping. I must say that agreeing with me about not running stranger is the best thing one can do if innocent.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

If not mistaken stranger you were one who recommend to run also.

I still do.

Run - you may get caught and found guilty.

Don't run - you will be found guilty.

I'd take my chances. Though I'm pretty careful to not be a victim in the first place by keeping my hands always visible.

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

I remember a subject of groping about 6months ago and a lot of the comment state "if accused of groping it is best to run for it. If not mistaken stranger you were one who recommend to run also.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Is it fairly common for people to flee onto the tracks, or is this a recent phenomenon?

Hard to say - it could have already been happening, but the news only recently started deciding it was a story to run, or it could be that people are doing it more now.

Either way, it's a condemnation of the legal system, that people feel running is the only way to protect yourself if you are innocent.

-4 ( +0 / -4 )

Is it fairly common for people to flee onto the tracks, or is this a recent phenomenon? Because it seems that each week recently there's a new case of a suspected groper fleeing onto the tracks

0 ( +0 / -0 )

This kind of thing is going to get more and more common as women are encouraged to report groping.

While groping is a bad thing, there are still insane or mistaken women who might report men for groping even though they're innocent.

If you're a man accused of groping in Japan your life as you know it is finished - you'll be disappeared for 10-20 days and whether or not you are charged with the crime, your company will fire you.

It's not well known, but a large percentage of people who are accused of groping do NOT actually face charges, but they DO get detained in police stations for up to 20 days with virtually -no- rights and no ability to contact the outside world. It's a lot like the mysterious death squads of South America in the 80's and 90's.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

In any case, given that one person supposedly following this single individual lawyer's completely unsupported advice

This case just came up on TV, and my wife made the comment that due to Japanese laws, running is the only thing these guys can do (逃げるしかない). I was surprised, as she and I have never talked about this, so I asked her where she heard that. She said that she's seen it said on TV, as well as it's on the net.

So whether or not it came from a single lawyer (she didn't know that), it appears to be the understanding among Japanese people these days.

Sucks that the legal system is so distrusted that people can't rely on innocence as a defense.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

Now the man has been named and shamed for doing a dumb thing. Given the time the incident occurred, he may have been drunk.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

One hand on the loop, other hand on your elbow. Both hands in sight, and it looks like the famous "feminist" gesture, for a nice twist of irony.

Hmm, Now I wonder why British trains don't have hanging loops to hold...?

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

I hate a-holes who eat and drink on commuter trains!

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

i think the fine for delaying trains is enough punishment. in some cases families of suicide deaths who delay busy train lines have to pay half a million dollars.

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

I doubt it was a soda, more than likely it was a beer or a chu-hi

Oh? I've yet to see beer being consumed on the Tokyo trains, unless it's a long haul on the shinkansen...

Have yet to sample the delights of chu-hi... any good?

-4 ( +2 / -6 )

I doubt it was a soda, more than likely it was a beer or a chu-hi

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

I sincerely doubt any significant number of Japanese men have even heard of RocketNews24.

Modern journalism is reporting on other people's news, the article was first written in Japanese for Friday a magazine and livedoor. Many Japanese would have read it as it's now a thing to do.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Not the best choice regarding the situation. Wonder why he was worried he would be called a groper?

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

I sincerely doubt any significant number of Japanese men have even heard of RocketNews24.

I use rocketnews just because it's in English, well if you want Japanese one there are plenty.

Here's one them:

http://president.jp/articles/-/9332

5 ( +7 / -2 )

sakurasuki Today  04:35 pm JST

Given several cases of people jumping onto tracks while trying to escape during last few months, it seems lot of male commuters already familiar with lawyers' advise in situation being accused as groper.

I sincerely doubt any significant number of Japanese men have even heard of RocketNews24.

In any case, given that one person supposedly following this single individual lawyer's completely unsupported advice has been killed and one has been arrested for committing a crime in the course of his escape, perhaps people will be more responsible about mindlessly passing on his poorly-thought-out advice.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

Lawyer only can give advise given existing system, the things is not only one lawyer say this other lawyers say the same thing for this particular situation.

The real question is how come the system is built "guilty until proven innocent" in the 1st place.

6 ( +8 / -2 )

can't wait for the police to arrest the other idiots running onto the tracks. the lawyer who gave that advice should be disbarred for encouraging people to break the law.

3 ( +7 / -4 )

Pretty sad times than any argument with a woman on a train results in a man running for his life...

7 ( +10 / -3 )

Agree, idiot. Spilled drink, offer to pay for cleaning, etc.

6 ( +6 / -0 )

Idiot. He could have been killed. Be careful with your sodas on the train, at the very least.

6 ( +7 / -1 )

What an idiot.

8 ( +10 / -2 )

Otsuka was quoted by police as saying he panicked because he thought he would be mistaken for a groper.

Given several cases of people jumping onto tracks while trying to escape during last few months, it seems lot of male commuters already familiar with lawyers' advise in situation being accused as groper.

Unless there are some changes in handling this case, I'm not surprised if there are more cases where male commuter will try to escape in anyway the can. That's including jumping onto tracks.

Advise from lawyer:

"..* one Tokyo lawyer says the best thing to do if wrongly accused is, *run.."

http://en.rocketnews24.com/2013/05/14/guilty-and-never-proven-innocent-every-male-train-riders-nightmare-in-japan/

3 ( +6 / -3 )

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