Job Discussion Forums

[Albright]

I remember reading an article a while back about a group of schoolgirls who had devised a racket... Whenever they rode a train, they would mind their own business as if they didn't know each other, but if and when one of them got groped, they would all turn on the groper and make a scene, shaming him to heck and back and threatening to tell the police -- unless he cracked his wallet. Public humiliation plus the threat of jailtime, tarnished reputation, and job loss meant the group would be splitting a couple thousand bucks in a matter of moments.

Of course, I'm not suggesting this as an everyday tactic for dealing with train-bound perverts, but it's a fun story.

Anyway, I don't really think women-only cars are a good long-term solution to the problem; it then makes a woman who goes into a "normal" car because she is unaware of the female ones, the female ones are full, or what have you possibly appear that she "wants it" to a potential groper...

[Speed]

To Lover the OP.

I'm sure you've read a lot of other posts about people getting things stolen, run-ins with young punks, car accidents, yakuzas etc... but as much as these things happen it shouldn't keep you from coming here.

Many of the incidents that DO happen, more often than not USUALLY DON'T happen to most people.

It shouldn't make you freak out about coming to Japan. It's relatively safe and if you have a good head on your shoulder you'll do just fine.

Enjoy your time in Japan.

[Laura C]

The article Paul posted was wishy-washy to say the least (no offence Paul, I know you didn't write it!). Avoid chikan by er, trying not to take crowded trains. Yeah right. Women should alter their lives in case a man might want to grope them. And then politely ask him to stop. I understand that many Japanese women would prefer not to make a scene, but really, that article talked about it like the guy was just standing on your foot or something equally minor. I used to tell my students to grab the guy's hand, hold it up and shout 'Chikan!'

To the OP -- I can't speak for other women here but this was one of the things me and female JETs were worried about before coming -- we had no problems. I heard that Japanese chikan don't try it on foreign women as we're not as scared to make a scene.

I liked the bit in Paul's article about watching out for others though. I have a male Canadian friend who has intervened once or twice (subtly so as not to embarrass the women, but certainly stopped the guy).

[sethness]

I'd avoid rush hour, and try to sit or stand next to women if at all possible. Also, you might consider dressing in a way that discourages molestation. I'm not talking dressing weird...just something like a big long fluffy coat in wintertime, which presents no obvious targets or entry points. Of course, that plan falls apart in summer... :-/

As for men on the women-only cars, make a scene about it. They won't come back.

Sorry I don't have much more helpful advice.
And, DO be sure you accuse the right person. I heard of one gaijin who was perhaps wrongly accused. He spent 3 days in jail.
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To "Big John Stud":
I know this sounds like a total non-issue to Westerners, because it's not a problem where you grew up. However, it's a BIG problem in Japan. REALLY big.

To help you do the math, consider 2 of my ex-girlfriends. One was not very attractive, and lived in downtown Tokyo. She got "felt up" 1/3 of the time she rode public transport on the way to work or on the way home. 1/3. That's only a 1/3 chance of NOT getting felt-up every frikkin' day.

Next, consider by extremely attractive ex-girlfriend, who grew up in Saitama and lived and worked in a fashion factory near Roppongi. She was felt up TWO thirds (2/3) of the times she rode public transport during rush hour.

John, it's a problem. We need to deal with it.

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There are also the sexual-harrassment-at-work folks, and the "flashers". I had a casual acquaintance (not really a friend) who was a blond female living & working in Nagoya. She told me that about once a week, she'd be walking to work and this dirty old man (well, a fairly ordinary looking middle aged salaryman) would ride on a bicycle toward her with his fly unzipped & no underwear.

Nyyyyarrrggggghhh.

[Brooks]

I read in the Mainichi Shinbun that the Saikyo line will have women-only cariages during the morning rush hour.
The train goes from Shinjuku to Saitama.

[Iwantmyrightsnow]

The grab and twist method should be studied by all females (and males for that matter). Or the alternate, the knee. Or lifting their hand and shouting chikan is a good method.

From books that these *beep* have published we know they rely upon passivety. Even if they refute accusations constant attenetion being bought to them wil make them stop.

My highlight as a techer here has been helping female students to deal with this andactually empowering them to do what I suggested earlier. They need to learn they shouldn't be ashamed to bring attentiopn to the situation.

Oh, and by the way, japanese women also do groping in the trains. I have had it twice and it wan't as nice as you might hope. And a 17 year old female student raised the hand of the person grabbing her and it turned out to be a woman!