At 10 am in broad daylight, I’m walking to the train station from my apartment in Osaka, about a 15-minute walk. A man in a suit, was walking in the opposite direction, intensely staring at me. Being accustomed to such experiences as a foreigner in Japan, I passed by him. However, he stopped and continued staring after I passed, prompting me to briefly look back at him. Surprisingly, he turns around and starts walking in the same direction, following me for about 5 minutes during my usual morning commute. Seeking refuge, I entered a convenience store, but he followed me inside. Pretending to browse the shelves, I noticed him sneakily standing behind them, staring. Moving to another area didn’t deter him, so I decided to make a call, swiftly leaving the store and heading to the train station. Fortunately, I didn’t encounter him again.
There’s a common misconception about Japan being the safest place globally, with an assumption that everyone is perfect and wouldn’t make others feel uncomfortable. Due to this belief, I might have let my guard down.
After similar situations that both myself and female friends have encountered, I’ve learned the importance of women staying alert, regardless of the time of day. Ladies please be careful ♥️