The Tokyo Metropolitan Police this week began a campaign to raise public awareness of "chikan" (groping) on trains.
An event to kick off the campaign, which runs through June 17, was held at Ikebukuro and Shinjuku stations on Tuesday, with participants including police and college students, Fuji TV reported. The students handed out packets of tissues and leaflets to commuters, urging them to help eradicate "chikan."
In 2015, the number of documented molestation cases reported in Tokyo was approximately 1,400, police said. In addition to the anti-groping campaign, which includes posters put up at stations, police are strongly advising victims on trains or platforms to immediately seek help from other passengers if such an incident occurs.
© Japan Today
21 Comments
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borscht
Besides tissues, leaflets, and posters I think they need a cuddly mascot. They have six days to "eradicate" groping. They need to bring out the big guns.
Nice1Genius
If the public is already 100% aware of an issue, how is it possible to raise public awareness of that issue?
since1981
I guess they can start by looking within. How can people trust the police when its the police-chikans)we read so often about?
nath
They can start by eliminating the so-accepted fact that "kanchoing" is funny. I teach at an elementary school and have so for several years and have been kanchoed many times. It is not funny. In western countries children are taught to keep their hands to themselves but in somehow in Japan it is considered funny to jab your fingers into the anus of someone sometimes striking slightly too low and jabbing the testicles of a man. Very painful. Teachers never take it serious when it is reported. So with that in mind - chikan will not be solved and will continue for many years to come. It's time Japan gets in line with the western world.
Alex Einz
maybe its good to exclude police, since many of their members do exactly that...
nath
To anyone who does not know that handing out free tissues in Japan as a way of getting a promotional message across on the covering, this report would read as a way of encouraging the groper to clean up his mess. Some bastard left a nasty deposit on my skirt once and I only found out after an office co worker told me when I got to work. Gross!
MsDelicious
Mary, I know of a high school 3rd year boy who had the same thing happen to him. Disgusting.
rocketpanda
Wasn't there an article this week about an off duty police office they got caught filming up some high school girls' dresses?
Wouldn't it be a nice punishment to crash the fingers of the gropers. I think most people are aware that it is illegal, but I guess getting people to report these chikans when they see it or it happens is good. My missus had it happen many times when she was a high schooler, she said it was more prevalent then.
nath
"stamp out groping" - are they going to stomp on gropers' hands?
sillygirl
With stalking judges and up-skirt photo taking police who can victims trust?
clueless
About time too!!
I'm a 51 year old guy and sick to death of getting groped on the train every day.
These women should know better!
Serrano
Good grief, is there still groping on trains? What the heck is wrong with some Japanese men?
TheGodfather
Will the police catch the pervert using DNA analysis?
Will the other passengers use their smartphones to take a photo of the pervert?
It's a crime, and you will be arrested!!
sensei258
Of course I don't condone "chikaning", and I think their punishment should be severe, but all this hype reminds me to keep my hands where everyone can see them to avoid the possibility of being falsely accused. Remember, if it happens to you, run!
Kingston Obike
Atimes, when the train may be really filled up, a guy may accidentally sidel a lady by her chest and she may exagerate and call it molestation, I've seen this happen before.
Citizen2012
Let's print posters on the train station to raise awareness of this.
TheGodfather
"in Japan it is considered funny to jab your fingers into the anus of someone"
But where do the kids get initiated into this learned behaviour? Is it at HOME or at SCHOOL?
Is it from the PARENTS or the TEACHERS?
TheGodfather
"I've seen teachers kanchoing students at school..."
So you are saying that in Japanese schools the teachers put their fingers into the anus of the children. And you are also saying that this is common practice and is not going to change any time soon.
Japan you have a problem!!
Supersmashed
Living in Kobe, I havent seen any groping occur with my own eyes, but I am sure it happens. I often take the last train back from downtown on Friday and Saturday nights when there are plenty of drunk people coming home but havent seen anything too crazy happen. I do hope that this country can do better though at preventing things like this happening as frequently as they do.
Aly Rustom
I would say that most people are aware of the problem thanks very much.
LOL exactly!
Nice one mate!