Police nab 77 in 3 prefectures during one-week crackdown on train groping, molesting

Safety Japan at it again. Astonishing! Or maybe not.

looks like some fine/compensation money will be pumped into the Japan-cash-machine.

Do Japanese women have 'woman power'? Are they all shy? Do they actually take self-defence classes?...Because it seems guys will always have their way with the women there.

Name and shame these asshats, particularly the ones who are repeat offenders.

Wow.. Most of them are below 40s.. GEEZ

Finally

Groping in this country is ridiculous, why can,t the women knee them in the balls or something, say something outloud to embaress them...

They can't make a scene because women in general, and particularly Japanese women, are conditioned to not raise a stink when something happens. And if they did report it or make a fuss, there would be plenty of people who would accuse them of being liars (see: almost every JT article about someone caught and publicly shamed for groping).

Additionally, it's easy to say, "Yeah, if that happened I would totally hit the guy in the face!" but it's another thing entirely to do it when you're faced with that situation.

Wow.. That's a lot of groping in one week!

If they catch 77 I guess the normal figures would be 10 times that. I thought it was more an isolated problem.. but it seems to be a common practice in the trains! What is the problem with these people? What kind of education they had?

Monkeyz said: They can't make a scene because women in general, and particularly Japanese women, are conditioned to not raise a stink when something happens.

This is patently incorrect. Most women are naturally docile and shy. Women who are the opposite are rare, and where they are not, its them that have been conditioned to raise a stink.

They don't report it or make a fuss because they either don't want to attract attention or they just want it to end asap. Same everywhere. Filing a report ensures an investigation, questioning, and it never ends. Same everywhere.

Further, mistakes do happen and women often do not properly investigate what is happening to them, again because of not wanting to attract attention. Many women "thought" they were getting groped and fumed whole train rides only to find out it was just a bag in their butt crack. All they had to do was turn around, find out and ask to move the bag. Sometimes they don't figure out it was a bag and drag an innocent guy to the cops. And sometimes they wait until the train ride is over and just grab a guy behind them, any guy, with no idea who it was who actually groped them, who might be a long armed guy standing behind the nearest guy. It happens.

In no way do I support gropers, but many women also don't take preventative measures on top of doing nothing when it happens. In this climate there is no sense supporting violence or naming and shaming. Install cameras and provide women only cars. I am leery about conditioning women to be proactive whiners because that seems to bleed into other aspects of life. Perhaps we should condition Japanese men to watch out for and protect the women? Yeah, I like that idea much better.

Ummm, possibly, just possibly, there is a major problem within the society. So, 77 in a week in 3 prefectures? And, they are just the ones that got nabbed. I've seen losers darting behind school girls on stairs with their keitais aimed up the girl's bums at least half a dozen times in the last year and I only use trains twice a week. And now, every pervert knows the cops have finished their sweep and it will be business as usual.

I knew one girl that told me that her and her friends would brag about how many times they got groped on trains and purposely hiked up their skirts before getting on the train..

" Also, over half (48) were company employees."

Not THIS is something to be absolutely ashamed about. Instead of punishing JR employees by making them weed the areas around station or clean platforms, they should be making them undergo sensitivity training, not to mention throwing them in the clink for previous offenses if they are caught again.

I'm glad to see the J-cops finally start cracking down on this, but knowing Japan it will end by the end of the weekend, as some sort of 'anti-groping week'; much like the 'safety driving month' they have in which they pursue violations and crimes adamantly, then turn a blind eye when the month is over. They need to keep this up.

At the same time, my only fear about this is that in pushing to catch offenders, they won't take the time to see if it's truly a case of groping, or a false claim, and just take the guys into the station and lock them up. In cases where they have previous records, they need to be locked up for sure, but I hope they are seriously checking into the claims before pronouncing the people guilty (and I'm not defending them in the least, I'm just pointing out that when people have a quota to make, they might be willing to overlook some details).

And now, every pervert knows the cops have finished their sweep and it will be business as usual.

Exactly. I guess the more experienced perverts lay low during "chikan week", knowing they'll be able to molest relatively hassle free once the police have focused their attention onto something else.

It is true that no matter how much you might say "I would smash someone in the face if they did that to me" when it actually happens to you it`s a different story.

It happened to me when I was 9 months pregnant last winter. I dont think the guy realised I was pregnant - I was pretty small and I had a coat on and a bag on my knee so it was kind of hard to see the bump. But when he started touching me I was SO terrified because of the baby. I knew in that state I couldnt defend myself if I smashed him and he got violent with me.

I know the vast majority of victims are not pregnant (one would hope!) but my point is I got a taste of what it was like to feel "helpless" and it was not nice at all. If there are women walking around who do feel like that even in their normal state then it is no wonder they do nothing. It was a VERY scary experience.

I actually think mistwizard has a good point there - yes, I think women should be raised more assertively and to respect their bodies and themselves more, BUT why not go to the root of the problem and deal with the lowlifes that are doing it in the first place. It is all about power and asserting some control in a life that otherwise has none (in my opinion).

By the way, the guy did it to me on a pretty empty train with a few people sitting in plain view and EVERYONE saw what was happening and did nothing. When I stood up to move away and I picked up my bag, my coat fell open and everyone saw how pregnant I was there were a few ashamed faces, but not from the guy who actually did it. Lowlife.

papasmurfinjapan said: Exactly. I guess the more experienced perverts lay low during "chikan week", knowing they'll be able to molest relatively hassle free once the police have focused their attention onto something else.

People were saying no one would be caught when this was announced. Not many are stepping forward to eat crow and humble pie, are they? It might actually be that the police have half an idea of what they are doing, ne?

SmithinJapan, company employees are not necessarily JR employees. They are just not the unemployed nor the company owners, and they are not public servants.

MistWizard--I agree that men should be conditioned to watch out for and protect the women. I thought that that was supposed to be a natural instinct; I don't know what happened that many men in the world don't feel that way any more.

Did they catch any policemen this time ?

Wonder what they called their campaign...maybe "Can't Touch This"??? (Hammer Time)

Smith, you read the article wrong. The 48 were not JR employees. They were company employees meaning "kaishain" or people who are full-time workers.

What would happen if a foreigner stood up to one of the gropers? Would people get angry at the foreigner for causing a scene, or silently applaud him or her in their heart?

Also, I wonder if it was surveyed at all how many of them were single? Probably not, but I bet many (at least half) are married or have a partner (of sorts).

MistWizard - It might actually be that the police have half an idea of what they are doing, ne?

But it is ridiculous that they only do it for a week once every couple of years, ne?

amannin1 - What would happen if a foreigner stood up to one of the gropers?

That depends on how you stood up to him and if any Japanese witnessed it. If you were to give him the smack down he deserved without a witness you would be locked up without question. As I stated in my other post, I have caught quite a few up-skirt photographers, but I could do nothing about it. The only thing I have done is walked up to them and told them I saw them do it, but they will either deny it flatly or just run away. It's not your country, so it is not worth getting involved. Just shrug it off as more Japanese pathetiquette.

Anyone know how many policeman were caught in the campaign? A few months ago, there seemed to one or two incidents a week with the nations' finest...

Look at the statistics of those caught once again. Over half of them were JR employees. A bit of a company based sub-culture, don't you think?

Moderator: The story does not say they were JR employees. It says company employees.

Good job boys!!! Now make sure that you lock them up for a while and get a good shrink for them.

Where does it state in the article that over half were JR-employess.

I read Company-Employee but NO companies named.

As has been pointed out TWICE, they were NOT JR employees.

I agree that men should be conditioned to watch out for and protect the women. I thought that that was supposed to be a natural instinct; I don't know what happened that many men in the world don't feel that way any more.

One only has to look at the trend in Hollywood movies and their impact on society to know what happened to the traditional values you speak of. In most modern Hollywood movies over the last decade or so, the women are portrayed as the Heroes and the men are just competent sidekicks. Perhaps men no longer feel a need to protect their female counterparts. Personally I think it's over-the-top stupidity but it gets people into the theaters.

That depends on how you stood up to him and if any Japanese witnessed it. If you were to give him the smack down he deserved without a witness you would be locked up without question. As I stated in my other post, I have caught quite a few up-skirt photographers, but I could do nothing about it. The only thing I have done is walked up to them and told them I saw them do it, but they will either deny it flatly or just run away. It's not your country, so it is not worth getting involved. Just shrug it off as more Japanese pathetiquette.

@Disillusioned That is the most pathetic thing I've ever heard of... You actually watched these crimes being committed and didn't try to apprehend the suspect? Foreigner or not, if you live in a society, you have a moral responsibility to try and help it's citizens as you are temporarily apart of it. I used to live on the Saikyo line when it was first built. I apprehended a groper on my way to work but in that instance, I was more angry at the woman for allowing it to happen than the groper. The train was not full as it was still a new line. The suspect got on the train, sat unusually close to a young woman across from me and opened a newspaper covering his lap and hers. When I saw discomfort in her facial expressions, I had all the evidence I needed and leapt into action. He tried to run, but me being an ex-Olympic speed track and field sprinter from my University years, he had no chance. I caught up with him, grabbed by the collar and dragged him to the nearest train authorities for which they thanked me. Case closed; back on the train, late for work but the boss understood. No condemnation for being a foreigner in sight. Would suggest to you would be heroes out there that you DO NOT under any circumstances punch or kick the suspect as that would be against the law.

The best part of this article in mai opinion was the mention that there were "no assaults in trains on the Saikyo line which has security cameras installed." How wonderful! the security cameras should be installed on all JR lines and advertised as a new safety and security feature, with stickers and with public service announcements. Mai gifu read the article when i showed it to him and his 1st question to me was 'but how would you feel if you knew that there were cameras staring down your top?' 'Men do that already.. and cameras look cuter than some of those men'was mai answer.. but honestly.. peeping looks from a camera that will keep the chikan from groping me? That is a very acceptable trade i think!

DarkKnightNine - That is the most pathetic thing I've ever heard of... You actually watched these crimes being committed and didn't try to apprehend the suspect?

It is not my country and I don't give a fat rat's what goes on here as long as it doesn't effect me or my family. However, venting my disgust in these threads and getting insecure twits like yourself to bark at my posts just solidifies my resolve. Thank you for that.

Hey Police, crack down on this kind of stuff everyday.

Disillusioned said: But it is ridiculous that they only do it for a week once every couple of years, ne?

I have to agree. Once ever is a serious waste of my tax money. I think the police have better things to do with their time and my money frankly.

SilverStar said: I agree that men should be conditioned to watch out for and protect the women. I thought that that was supposed to be a natural instinct; I don't know what happened that many men in the world don't feel that way any more.

The natural instinct is to protect your own women, not the women of others or women who pay you no mind. In fact, in Japan its hard enough just to get a "thank you" for protecting or helping a woman. Its definitely put a damper on my motivation to help a woman out. If women need to be conditioned its to be grateful darn it.

What this article does not say is that there are also many WOMEN gropers/chikan in trains. I have seen them in action myself, and I know fo Japanese young men who have been groped by women. This article is rather one-sided, because it only focuses on the men gropers. maybe the J police just turn a blind eye to the women, or maybe the women are better at doing it without getting caught?

"detained 77 men"

No women?

how many of those were cops?

What does company employees mean?

Should read like "less than half of them are unemployed".

Don't get involved in a "situation". As a foreigner, you will be the one arrested regardless. Happened to my mate just recently. Keep clear. Let one of the natives do it.

Most people that see this wouldn't do much. On the other hand I'm a punchy mofo that would love to grope perveted otaku with my fist. I think women should do more to make a difference in their culture. Letting these acts go un heard makes the concious think they are acceptable.

I don't believe we should equate touching someone sexually, with looking up at females on the escalator and snapping a shot. One is very harmful, the other is pretty harmless.

Nab the molesters on the train, now!

On the other hand, if a girl shows her panties on the stairs, that's her problem. Public displays of private areas is the fault of the person doing the displaying. If it were one of us males, society would be up in arms about us displaying ourselves. But if it's h.s. girls, then it's our fault again. If they don't want people to look and snap, don't show it in public. (Of course it's different in the cases where those guys put cameras in their shoes (I still can't understand how they did that).)

they should arrested the women too, who shows very provocative acts...if not for this show-off girls...there would be no incident like this...

bcbrownboy, if the panties are on display and you look, well, that's your business. But no one makes you take a photo. There's a certain presumption that your panties will be private, and if there is a situation in which they are made public, it must be assumed that it is without the wearer's knowledge. When you LOOK, that's not a big deal. When you take a picture, that's the violation. This isn't art hanging on a wall at a gallery. It would still be creepy if you went to a beach and started taking photos of bikini bottoms without permission. If you don't understand that, I really can't help you.

For the record, I've seen a million short skirts in Japan and have yet to see the undies of anyone. Most miniskirts that I see these days have those bloomers they sell in sock shops either sewn into them or worn underneath them. Or girls wear leggings. I didn't even catch a glimpse of panty when a schoolgirl's skirt just barely brushed the top of the seat of her bicycle as she sat on it. It was that short. And I still saw nothing (I was marveling, because my own knee-length skirt was causing problems on my bicycle).

I am with Monkeyz.

My Wife always said I could look at the moenu but don't touch or take memoribilia home.

AS for taqking pics atg the beach, this bis what I find fun about the guys ranting about teen girls in bikini photo-shoot. Go to any beach and you see similar poses and way more details.

But a Groper, panty-thief is very different from a rapist.

Reminds me of one story, my grandmother watched one guy sniffing her panties while they were hung out to dry. Now she was not a small lady at that time(aged 65). She had a good laugh about it as there were younger(sexier) women living in the same apartment.

And also agree while Japan has many short skirts(and YES many school skirts shorten theirs after classes, ie roll up arond belt.) it is hard to get a glimpse(if you are so inclined).

This problem will continue to exist until a) more people start speaking up when it happens b) the police start doing randoms checks

A one-week crackdown is useless. A few dozen men get fined and then it's groping business as usual...

The 1-week crackdown was done by tghe MPD(Metropolitan police force) they are different from the Railway police that is doing the job usually.

But having travelled the trains myself, sometimes it is very hard to avoid certain contacts due to the close proximities. I am always careful trying to keep my hands high, but being mistaken for a groper is a possibility always due to the "Can in the Sardine" nature of Tokyo travel.

Remember many a times when I came home in summer and wife pointed out lipstick marks on my shirts.

And yes, I have seen groping incidents or the effects, girsl getting of the train with thier skirs hitched up in back.

Nothing you can do. Who was it and even if you did see it happen you can't confront the guy till the lady sez something. Many ladies don't want to say anything or lay a charge(too much hassles) and if you confront the guy you are the assailant.

Not worth it.

You can confront people without assailing them, can't you? Disillusioned, you could just shout "I saw that. You upskirt chickan!" (Even if you don't know Japanese, that should freak the guys out and make then think twice before doing it again.)

77 cops thts what i called high sercurity.

This is patently incorrect. Most women are naturally docile and shy. Women who are the opposite are rare, and where they are not, its them that have been conditioned to raise a stink.

Naturally? I don't think that word means what you think it means. Either that, or you have a myopic view of women and/or sociology. Monkeyz was right: it's total conditioning that encourages a woman not to "make a stink" when she's being molested.

Way to go! That's incredible!

Only in Japan do you hear or read the word "groper." Some Japanese persons got some twisted hobby. Wonder how many of company men tell their male co-workers how many times they have grope a woman or a man when they go drinking after work? These people need to find a different hobby like fishing.

An interesting aside to all this is that when NHK's 9pm news ran advice on how to avoid being groped a few weeks ago, one of the pieces of advice was - believe it or not - to be seen reading a foreign newspaper. The logic is that perverts will think the woman is either a foreigner - and thus more likely to react - or that she is a strong-minded Japanese woman who will do the same.

Rather a sad commentary on the state of Japanese society in regard to violence against women.