I think I (a foreigner) just got groped on the subway

44 comments

1. Unfortunately this is a common occurence not just in Japan but on many busy metro systems. I am sorry that it happened to you

2. I’m really sorry that happened to you. Thats horrible.

   Unfortunately it’s quite common in Japan. On a lot of major metro lines, at peak hours there are women only cars, which sucks that they are needed but thats the point its at now. I really hope you can move past it and enjoy the rest of your trip!

3. I’ve lived in Japan. 
   White dude, long hair and 6FT tall. 
   I won’t say I have the most welcoming face on the train. A lesson learned growing up in NYC. 

   And I’ve been groped. Many times. 

   Most recently on the packed train riding to Roppongi. Had my front no-no square grabbed and fondled. Had a stuffed ear and wasn’t too happy riding to the ENT. Grabbed the ladies hand and squeezed as tight as I could until I knew it hurt. Confirmed she understood why they wouldn’t be happening again. She got off the next stop. 

   Had a guy try to grab my butt. Again, long hair and from behind, I bet I can pass for a pretty lady with questionable wide shoulders. No ear problems, so I grabbed him up and brought him straight to the station head. Made sure they understood and called the cops. They were going to give me trouble it seemed, but I showed the badge I carry and explained I had cop friends back home and they let me go without trying to bust my balls over being a victim. 

   Had female friends get touched on the platform in Shibuya when I turned around for a second and again, the creep would play the denial game and I would press them. However, my friends wanted to let it go. They’re Japanese and culture played a part. 

   I’ve told this story before here; my wife was pushed on the train. She’s also a foreigner and looks it. I was two steps ahead of her with our bags. I hear her yell out to me and I see the guy. Immediately hard shove him to the ground and yell. Two Japanese women saw what happened and yelled at him as I roughed him up a bit. Got him to apologize to her. Embarrassed the fucker, and thankfully the two women were there and also told me to leave quickly because the cops would arrest me; even if my wife was assaulted. 

   This is a known problem; men pushing women in Japan. Some weird hate thing. 

   So yes, your experience isn’t uncommon. 
   You’re a victim and I’m sorry. 
   You’re not crazy, AT ALL. 

   Again, I’m so sorry that happened to you. 

4. You got groped. Japanese perverts can very sly about how they do it. I’ve had men “accidentally” bump into my boobs and I am smol. One time this old man bumped his crotch into my hand. i’ve traveled the world and used public transport everywhere I go. In every other country, men manage to keep their parts away from my parts. These creeps are obviously doing it on purpose. 

5. You’re not crazy, and that happened- it’s an unfortunate problem in Japan. I’m sorry that happened.

6. This happened me to on a rush hour train in Tokyo in 2019. The man very discreetly got close to my back and then slowly moved his hand up to my breast. I pulled away as soon as I felt it and got off at the next stop.

   I went back to Japan a few weeks ago and didn’t have any issues, but it was still on my mind any time I got on a crowded train. There are women’s only cars on certain lines in Tokyo during rush hours and I always took them when I saw them. I’m so sorry this happened to you too.

7. I’ve only been to Japan (Tokyo) once 5 yrs ago as a 5’5 140lb caucasion woman and I never had any encounters with this, so I didn’t realize it’s such a widespread issue there. I’m taking my mom and family friend (both mid 50s petite women) and am wondering if there’s anything that we can do to prevent this?

   My mom would be absolutely horrified if this happened to her- she doesn’t travel often even in our home country.

8. u/EPMelodicAudit – I’m very sorry this happened to you.

   Unfortunately, sexual assault (groping) is quite common on commuter trains in larger cities in Japan, particularly involving young women and even schoolgirls.

   Typically, it happens in rush hour when trains are tightly packed so people are pushed up against one another, it’s difficult to identify precisely which person did it, and it’s difficult to move away.

   In Tokyo, at least, railways have moved to combat the issue by introducing “Women only” carriages for rush hour travel.

   One of the ways of lessening the risk is to travel outside rush hour, so try to travel between 9am or 9:30am to 4pm, and then perhaps later in the evening, when there should be fewer people in carriages.

   The typical term for offenders is “chikan”, or “touch demon”:

   https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chikan_(body_contact)

   Chikan tend to rely upon Japanese people’s reluctance to make a fuss, so some women fight back by defying the stereotype, shouting “chikan!” if they feel someone groping them, and turning around to try to stare down the probable offender.

   When my wife was at high school in Tokyo, a chikan actually cut a square of fabric out of the back of her school uniform skirt while she was on the train and she didn’t realise until she got off the train and a member of the station staff alerted her to the fact that her underwear was visible through a large square hole in the back of her uniform. She went to the police, but they didn’t seem interested or concerned and basically tried to brush her off until her father turned up. Once a man started talking to them, they made a report of the incident. However, unsurprisingly, the perpetrator was never identified.

9. I’ve been told the best way to deal with it is to get loud and stick a phone in their face over it.

10. I’ve been told the best way to deal with it is to get loud and stick a phone in their face over it.

11. I’m so sorry that happened to you!! It’s frightening when you don’t realize until after that you actually did get assaulted. I’m nervous about that happening while I’m studying in Tokyo this summer, especially because I do stand out having a curvier body :/ I’ll probably travel with others for the most part to be safe.

12. I’m so sorry to hear that happened to you.

    First let me assure you, this isn’t anything you caused. There are a LOT of creeps in the world, and Japan is no exception. It’s more common than most people realize. They often target foreigners because of the language barrier and fact they are less likely to go to the police. You didn’t do anything wrong. MANY people freeze when groped or sexually assaulted. You are not at fault and your response was normal.

    Second, you’re not alone. I have been groped and sexually assaulted similarly, and so have most of the women I know closely. It is not something friends might mention to you, but it’s sadly common. You also were not imagining it. It isn’t that you’re crazy or didn’t realize some enough.

    My biggest piece of advice is to ride the subway again soon- if you wait you might not be able to get back on it. It’s easier to face it quickly and get that over worth. Try carrying a bag and placing it in front of you as a bit of a shield to feel more comfortable.

    There’s been studies that playing Tetris decreases ptsd after traumatic events. Maybe play some m, it’s worth trying.

    I’m so sorry, again… this is shitty and awful, but it is because he is shitty and awful- not anything you did.

13. I was on a late train from Tokyo to Tachikawa one evening and I saw a drunk woman who kept keeling over in her seat and dropping her phone which I would pick up and put back in her hands. The car was pretty empty but a few stops down it got a little busier and there was a middle aged guy who started basically rubbing his little boner in her face with me sitting right there with an unfortunately good view of what was going on. I stood up and got in between them while giving him a stern look and he got the message.. very disturbing and made me wonder if it was a common occurrence..

14. I‘ve been to Japan and in Tokyo (Male 22 at the Time). Some woman put her hand in my no no zone and tried to start a grab. I grabbed her hand and pushed her away saying pretty loudly „try that again and i‘ll break your face“. She looked at me like i just assaulted her. An elderly man asked me in broken english what happened and i told him. He said something in japanese to her and she just looked at the floor. When i met my buddy later he told me that it sometimes happens.

    Two days later i went to a night club in Shibuya. My buddy and i met 3 japanese girls (around our age) there and we had a pretty cool night until i stopped remembering anything before waking up in some dorm, naked with one of the girls next to me, the other two also naked on a futon. I was sticky down there, was covered with lipstick and i don’t know what, had scratches all over my chest and neck and felt completely sick, got up and puked my soul out of my body. I was still nauseous. I went back to look for my stuff. I luckily found my phone and wallet but my shirt and jacket were missing. I took one of their oversized tees and left. I was about 1,5 hours from my hotel.
    I got obviously drugged because i‘m a pretty controlled drinker. I was embarrassed and didn’t tell anyone what happened. My buddy thought it was a ONS with one of them and we didn’t talk about it.

    But overall my Japan Experience was pretty nice.

15. I’ve lived in Japan 8 years and have been lucky enough to not have it happen to me, but it’s a common occurrence. I’m sure that eventually it will happen to me as a women so I always try to be vigilant on the trains. It’s sad, but I approach any man near me on the train with the mindset that they could be a predator. I’ve definitely had creeps who’ve ogled too long. Not sure how I’d hand the situation should it happen. Sorry this happened to you!

16. So sorry this happened to you. One thing so unfortunate and deplorable about Japan as wonderful a country it is — is the hentai culture. It’s worth noting that not all Japanese men are like that, of course. I once saw a young Japanese guy use some karate move and twisted a guys arm for groping someone on the train and threw him on the ground, dragged in onto the platform and held him there until the cops came. Those of us on the train were all horrified and entertained at the same time.

    Question about the women-only train cars. I’m going to be traveling to Japan next month with my wife and our teenage boys. We’ve traveled to Japan numerous times but my wife hasn’t ever traveled through Tokyo before during rush hour. Are men strictly prohibited from those cars even if we are with my wife (and in my sons’ case, their mom)? Would she have to ride alone while we ride in the “regular” car?

17. That’s fucked i could understand if he bumped into you and his hand slipped but deliberately assaulting a women is a big NO NO really sorry that happened to you and in Japan i guess their is a lot of weirdos but i thought respect was like their #1 value 🙁

18. My 10 year old daughter was groped last December on our vacation. Had to have a deep conversation.

    I’m sorry this happened to you OP!

19. Look for a rail car with the only women sign!

20. I lived in Japan for 3 yrs.
    I’m about as pale white as it gets.
    I never had anyone ever try to grope me on the smaller sections and prefectures that I was in, but as soon as I got to Tokyo, that changed.

    Idk if it’s just bc it’s this major metropolis, or bc ppl think they can just get away with it and just slide back into an overpacked train, but that’s where it happened for me too.

21. I think there are common phrases in Japanese you yell to get attention from the train conductor and other passengers in situations like these. The cops will be on it right away and witnesses will hopefully help. I don’t know what these trigger words/phrase are but maybe someone will post here.

22. Just so you are aware, your cop friends overseas aren’t gonna help or threaten anyone into submission.

23. when i was traveling there recently, i made it a point to hold on to the handle holders with both hands to not be accused of anything.

24. You can try to reach out to [RAINN](https://hotline.rainn.org/online), a United States based organization that has trained staff members who offer crisis support/counseling/resource referrals to individuals who’ve experienced any type of sexual assault or exploitation. They have a 24 hour phone hotline (1-800-656-4673) or their 24 hour [web chat](https://hotline.rainn.org/online). I’m so sorry for what you went through and how you must be feeling, just because it is [unfortunately] common in Japan doesn’t make it okay or any less disgusting.

25. Ugh. I’m sorry.
    This almost happened to me but I saw it coming and my reaction was to swear at him loudly (in Spanish 😅) and it scared the shit out of him.

26. Who says “I had my front no-no square grabbed”

27. Yea someone grabbed my butt and ran away on the platform once I walked out the train doors.

28. I was just in Japan a few weeks ago and noticed the women only train cars during heavy traffic times. I asked about it and was told it’s because of groping. I’m sorry you had to experience that.

29. This is bullshit, Japan, get your shit together and enter the 21st century. No wonder the population is declining. Incel culture running amok? I am hapa and am ashamed.

30. I had a guy intentionally leaning on me. So I leaned back. I have rather pointy elbows. He got off at the next platform… Can’t imagine why… (Was 30f at the time but I’m often told I look younger, in Tokyo)

31. This is a common problem here.

    I remember a news article from 15 or so years ago where they said that *at least* 1 in 3 Japanese women have been groped on the train. After I read that, I asked my students about it and was surprised by how many had experienced it.

    My daughter even had some guy run across a 4-lane road and grab her thigh as she rode by on her bike on the way home from juku one night. I picked her up every night for the next 18 months.

    I had a very pretty young woman sit next to me on a local train with the bench seats one afternoon and pretend to sleep. Young guy on the other side kept trying to slide down on his seat to upskirt her until I leaned forward and waved at him.

    As a guy it only happened to me once. Fell asleep in an aisle seat and woke up with a woman’s crotch squarely on my shoulder. By the time I fully woke up and realized what was happening, she left the train.

32. I used to live in Tokyo and one night, a friend (tall white guy) saw a teenaged girl being groped on the train so he pushed the creep aside and got between them. The guy punched my friend, my friend punched him back, and guess who ended up spending the night in jail? Luckily, he was released the next morning without being charged.

    It’s generally safe for a woman to walk around Tokyo at night but that doesn’t mean a creep’s not going to come up to you and try something. I’m Chinese-American but most people assumed I was Japanese. It wasn’t uncommon for a random salaryman—sometimes drunk, sometimes not—to walk up to me, grab my arm and tell me to go with him. Their reactions were comical when I shoved them off of me and unleashed my loud “Americanness” on them. It was gross and annoying but I never felt like I was in any danger.

33. I feel for you girl – and honestly it’s not just Japan – this happens to women all over the world, constantly – there are experiment videos out there showing just how much women are touched on a daily basis just being out in public – and it’s so disgusting how men feel so entitled to touch random strangers like that – it’s not cool but unfortunately it’s the world we live in – all we can do is draw attention to it – and try our best to stop it when we see it – by remaining silent we allow the behavior to continue – it’s up to us to put a stop to it – and I would hope that others would see it and also try to stop it – because that’s the only way things will change

    In Japan – I know they have women only cars in the trains to prevent this from happening – so maybe you will feel safer using those train cars instead of riding in the general public ones – I’m sorry this happened to you – and I hope that you find some comfort in knowing that you are not alone, and every woman knows exactly how you feel and we all want the behavior to stop

34. well I would like to believe in the good of people, and I have been in those trains and know they can be packed to the point of being unable to move an inch. And I would like to believe that maybe someone could unintentionally come into contact with another person in a place where people usually dont get touched by people they dont know…

    but all that said, groping is a known issue in japan. (edit: and intentionally “unintentionally” touching must be happening too)

    I am sorry I dont have any solutions. But no, your not crazy. it happens. 🙁

    I hope you feel better down the road and wont let the behaviour of garbage humans ruin a great holiday. dont give them this power over you

35. I wish a salarywoman would grope me..

36. I am currently in Tokyo and I see many men in women only trains. I just don’t understand why?

37. I’m sorry you had to experience that. Sadly it is a known phenomenon in Japan, the tight packed trains allow for easy groping and make it harder to know who’s the culprit.

    Next time you feel that I’d just pinch his balls!

38. Kansai (Osaka) has a much worse history with groping on trains and was very prevalent there years ago. Now I’m not sure which is worse.

39. Not particular to Japan. Happens on every public trans around the world.

40. Sorry you had to experience it.

    There’s a whole J-p0rn genre about train groping so it’s most definitely a thing. I can’t be sure but I think it happened to me once or twice when I lived in Tokyo 20+ years ago. I’d like to think it’s less common now but I doubt it’s eradicated. When I say I can’t be sure, with a packed train it’s really hard to know if a hand on your thigh/butt is an accident or intentional. Other areas… probably intentional 🙁
    I usually backed myself into a corner near the door where possible. That was more for convenience as I don’t think I was an obvious target (not that I think there’s a typical target having read some replies). For most part train travel is safe and groping isn’t typical.

41. Unfortunately I believe this common. Before a group of my friends and I went to Japan, we were warned prior to arriving and taught the words to call out if this ever happens. I can’t fully remember the word but it’s basically groper, I think like the fish but same meaning.. we were crossing the street after just getting off the train. We were only 13-15 at the time and my friend who was a bit more developed than us had her boobs grabbed by a man crossing the road. We were all in shock but some acted like it’s a normal thing. This was a few years back so hopefully changed a little but not sure.

42. definitely normal in Japan. also visited it with my family before. the most unfortunate thing happened with my mom, but i was too young (naive?) to process it. if that happened now, i wouldn’t think twice to smack the hell out of that old japanese man.

    also why i think it’s normal is because i literally saw a porn advertisement inside the train. i think it’s manga.

43. I am so sorry for your experience. Unfortunately, It’s very common in Japan no matter you’re a foreigner or not. Especially in Tokyo

44. I met a friend from Korea and we had a conversation about the trip in Tokyo where he said his GF got harass by Japanese guy at Dodonki while he was shopping. It was crowded too and he cant chase the culprit leaving him no choice but letting the culprit go. Im sorry to hear that but please try to stay away from crowd if possible.