Job Discussion Forums

[Lover]

I just read another thread: "sexual assualts in Japan," and now I am concern to the point of being scared, frightened! I might have to ride the train during morning rush hour if a accept the job I was contemplating accepting!

I am scared! I don't want strange men touching me or groping me or doing whatever else that was discribed on the above thread! What should I do? How can I avoid taking the train during rush hour and not be late? Going early would mean sitting in a coffee shop waiting for the school to open up.
I studied the map and to get to the job on time, I would have to start my commute at 8:30 a.m. is that during rush hour? What are the morning rush hours?

I listed a few idea, I thought up! Any suggestions would greatly be appreciated!

Thanks again every!

[Gordon]

I wouldn't worry too much. There are ladies only trains in Tokyo for rush hour times. Just go on one of those. Some women also stick pins in their purses and if they feel a hand on them, they give them a jab. That should be quite effective. Just make sure you get the right guy.

[Big John Stud]

And I have seen some silly threads on this board!

[PAULH]

John,

this adds nothing to the discussion.

PM will be sent.

[Sheep-Goats]

The correct response would be something like "sit on my lap," but because this forum is awfully PC, I won't post that.

Japanese men (Thai men do this on crowded busses in Thailand, too) depend on women not making a scene about things. So make a scene. And there's also a ladies-only car on some routes, I've heard.

[Lover]

Thanks everyone! I read somewhere that most men get on the ladies only cars anyway just like they smoke under a no smoking sign.

I will follow your advice and make a scene!

Thanks again everyone

[Sweetsee]

Have you ever considered cycling? If interested, get a bike and try it on a day off. Sure feels better getting to work that way!

You won't get molested, see anyone molesting or get freaked out by all the freaky folks on the trains.


Good luck to you,
s

[PAULH]

[Brooks]

I think chikans tend to strike more in the evening rush hour. Some trains are worse than others. Yamanote is bad, as well as maybe Seibu.
Depending on the train, I would say walk down to the end of either platform and get the first or last car since those tend to be less crowded.

Keio has women`s only cars and other train companies are considering it.

There were about 2,300 cases of groping last year in the Kanto area.

[PAULH]

(Quoted from online article)


All trains and subways in Tokyo and other cities around Tokyo are terribly crowded during rush hour. In addition to the crowds on trains, young female passengers have to go through one more trial on a train. They must protect themselves from Chikans, men who touch women on the train. Women who are working or studying in Tokyo have to keep three things in mind when they are on a train: how to avoid meeting Chikans, how to protect themselves, and how to protect their friends.


First, young women should try not to choose lines or trains which have a high possibility of meeting Chikans. Needless to say, Chikans seldom appear on trains which are not crowded. Accordingly, the best way to avoid Chikans is to avoid taking crowded trains. However, women have to take crowded trains during rush hour to arrive at their offices or schools on time. Though they cannot choose the time of the trains, they can choose which line they should take. In general, women meet Chikans more frequently when they take private lines, the subways, or JR lines. They especially have to be aware of some lines which have a bad reputation among young women. For example, the Odakyu line is one of the most crowded trains. We have all kinds of schools, including high-level, low-level, and public schools along the Odakyu line, and many women, especially female students, tend to meet Chikans on this line. I met ones who were male students of a certain school when I was a high school student. In contrast, many schools along the subways in the center part of Tokyo are high-level or expensive private schools, and women do not meet Chikans very much on these lines. The Inogashira line is also famous among women for Chikans. Many young people use this line to go to Shibuya, which is the most popular place in Tokyo. Some of my friends told me that some men use this line only to touch women. Because of these reasons, I often use other lines to go to Tokyo.


Next, many young women tend to put up with Chikans silently when they are on a train alone. However, they should protect themselves from Chikans by following three steps. First, if you think that someone is touching you, turn your head slowly and look at his hand to make sure that he is really a Chikan. After that, stare at him from his feet to face slowly as you show him your anger on your face, especially in your eyes. This action makes some people around you notice the existence of a Chikan, and they will stare at him. If he still does not stop touching you, you should pinch or scratch his hand as the second step. Safety pins are necessities for women who take crowded trains everyday. Many of my friends in high school used to have one in their pockets because female high school students wearing pretty school uniforms were the targets of Chikans. The final step is to turn to him, look straight at his eyes for three to five seconds, and say "Please stop" or "Please don't" in a very polite way. Since trains during rush hour are so quiet, all of the passengers can hear you, and they also understand easily what you mean. Furthermore, they will watch him with eyes filled with criticism. Most Chikans get off the train at the next station or move to another train soon because they cannot stand the people's eyes, which criticize him silently.


Finally, women should know the way to protect themselves from Chikans when they, the women, are not alone on a train but have a friend or friends. Because they have somebody to help them, they can act more directly against Chikans. Tell your friend that you have a Chikan behind you. If he denies that he touched you, you and your friend should take him to a station worker. You can also hit his face when you notice that he is touching you. For instance, when some of my friends and I were on a train, one of my friends suddenly turned to a middle-aged man behind her and said, "You're Chikan, aren't you!!" Then, she hit his face with her heavy school bag. In the next moment, his face turned red because her bag hit his head and face and also because people watched him all at once.


In conclusion, you should not take lines which have Chikans very often, and, if you meet one, you have to protect yourself. Tell the Chikan clearly not to touch you, and if he does not stop doing it, you should attack him by yourself or with your friends. Most women cannot do anything when they are touched by Chikans the first time because of fear. However, they begin to know that they have to protect themselves because the other passengers, even the men, do not help them or pretend not to notice Chikans. So women have to learn how to protect themselves from Chikans through their own experiences or communications with other women. They should not give up or forgive Chikans because Chikans are the enemies of all women.





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[Mike L.]

Worst line is the Saikyo line that runs from Saitama into Tokyo via Shinjuku station.


A few years agon, in Shinjuku comming off the Saikyo line, I saw some oyaji get pressed to floor by station attendants and then dragged away by the police a few back for grouping some young OL on the train.

He was squeeling like a little stuck piggie. I hope he was guilty. He certainly was humilliated and in serious trouble.

For the ladies: I'd make a big seen. Japan is getting very anti oyaji/chikan scumbag these days!

During morning rush hour the station attendants,increasingly young guys, are there to deal with these situations so they could also be a recourse.

To the OP with this atmosphere I'd say you'll be fine.

[Brooks]

Paul, what site was that online article posted on?

[PAULH]

[Lover]

Thank you PaulH for all the information!

About cycling! I live in Asagaya, Tokyo and will be working in Saitama! I love cycling but that would be just a little too far! However, if I did work closer to where I lived I would cycle.

[Brooks]

um, since you will be working in the suburbs, the trains will be less crowded. Trains going into Tokyo can be really crowded.