edit: grammar error
First time posting in this sub!
I’ve been living in japan for 2 years now, but I’ve never heard of this happening to someone else so I would like some input.
The first time this happened it was around 10 pm. I had been walking about a minute away from my station, thankfully not in the direction of my house. A man walking ahead of me (japanese mid 20s/30s, white shirt, jeans, brown crossbody bag) appeared to have dropped some credit cards, ID, business cards, etc. It seemed like we noticed at the same time, as he seemed surprised.
He bent down to pick them up and as I bent down to help him he waved his hand, gesturing for me to help him. I thought this was odd, as usually people say that they’re okay or thank you.
He started speaking to me and realized I could understand him, which was definitely my mistake for engaging.
I stood up to get going and he continued talking to me and walking with me. He asked my age and if I lived nearby. I told him I was visiting a friend I and asked him if he lived here, which he denied. Then he claimed to be my age, which was very clearly bullshit. I only engaged until I could safely brush him off and duck into a conbini to hide until I felt I could head home.
I stayed for a bit, checked outside to confirm he was gone, and proceeded. A few minutes into my walk I realized he had come up behind me. We were now in an empty street in a residential area.
He called my attention and I realized he was holding the same stack of cards he had dropped earlier. Literally a foot away from me, looking me dead in the eyes, he threw them on the ground between us and pointed at them for me to pick them up. I had already started walking away but then he started following me and shouting “Hey! これ, pick up!” I ended up getting away safely.
That first incident was a couple months ago, but last week, around last train I saw him at my station. I wasn’t sure it was him until on my walk home he walked by me again (wearing the same outfit) and dropped the same cards, it was once again an empty street (this time, I noticed, in front of a parking lot entrance. I’m hoping it was a coincidence.)
He started following me again and speaking to me, but this time I turned around, got in his face, and started cursing him out and shouting. I’m aware this wasn’t the best idea, but I scared him off long enough for me to get away.
Is this something anyone has experienced here? Is there any legal way for me to defend myself in this kind of situation? I’m worried he will try to follow me home or continue harassing me by the station. Moreover, the way he acts makes me sure he has definitely done this to other women.
I’ve dealt with regular nanpa, I’m a foreign woman in my early 20s, but this is very different.
by existeaux
