Skip to: Content
Skip to: Site Navigation
Skip to: Search
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2009
| Subscribe to Newser's RSS feeds RSS | Follow Newser on Twitter Twitter


5

Japan Cops Get Tough on Subway Gropers

Tokyo launches 'groping prevention week'

Share

(Newser) – Japan has dispatched undercover police officers across Tokyo's commuter rail system to make sure men with wandering hands feel the strong arm of the law, the Guardian reports. Sexual harassment has long been a problem for Tokyo's subway, with two-thirds of young women saying they have been inappropriately touched while traveling. A recent surge in groping cases is blamed on websites offering men tips on how to grope women and get away with it.

Some gropers, encouraged by the websites, have been organizing into gangs to surround a victim while accomplices block the view of fellow passengers. Police warn that convicted gropers face up to 6 months in prison and a $6,000 fine. The crackdown—described as "groping prevention week"—snared its first groper within minutes: a 30-year-old man charged with grabbing a 15-year-old girl.

Tokyo police are targeting nine commuter lines favored by gropers.
Tokyo police are targeting nine commuter lines favored by gropers.   (©katclay)
A recent survey found that two-thirds of young women in Tokyo have been inappropriately touched on the city's rail system.
A recent survey found that two-thirds of young women in Tokyo have been inappropriately touched on the city's rail system.   (©chez_sugi)
Police in Tokyo make between 1,500 and 1,800 arrests a year for groping on the city's rail system.
Police in Tokyo make between 1,500 and 1,800 arrests a year for groping on the city's rail system.   (AP Photo/Katsumi Kasahara)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
OFF THE GRID
11.24.09
Murdoch and Microsoft: The Mice Are Trying to Roar
11.23.09
Books Are Bad for You
5 comments
VIEWING:
 
odowd80
Sep 18, 09 8:48 AM CDT
Japan has always been weird. But it sounds like this problem is out of control. My only question is, why did they wait so long to crack down? Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
+1
IN RESPONSE:
prowlerzee
Sep 18, 09 9:47 AM CDT
They have "rape" video games, too. With controllers for the hand and penis in order to grope and rape.
Vote up! Vote down!
-2
IN RESPONSE:
sully4411
Sep 18, 09 12:25 PM CDT
you think this doesnt happen elsewhere? its just because their transit systems are always so packed that its easier to get away with....hey - atleast they arnt kidnapping little kids and raping them while holding them hostage for 18 years?
Vote up! Vote down!
+2
Vyridian
Sep 18, 09 9:21 AM CDT
Because it takes forever for anything to get done in this country. Reminds me of home. Every female I know has been molested on a train. When I asked why they didn't scream, they said they just froze and/or cried (though one girl I know stabbed the dude with her pen). I also know of a guy who found himself in jail after busting the nose of a guy who grabbed his wife's rear (the groper walked). 6 months and 6 grand is a joke. 15 grand to the victim and public humiliation (picture posted along the perv's route to work) is more like it. I hope the perv in the story gets several years in jail for child molestation. Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
+5
prowlerzee
Sep 18, 09 9:49 AM CDT
Sounds like Japan would be a dream destination for Zerobama speechwriting Jon "the groper" Favreau. Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
-4
LEAVE A
COMMENT Comment Policy
Facebook ConnectPost this comment to Facebook?

After connecting you will have the option to post your comment on your Facebook profile.

 

Related Newser Stories

398 Stories

 Japanese Man Marries 
 Video Game Girlfriend 

But the wedding's probably not legally binding

Nov 25, 09 1:33 PM CST
(Newser) - A Japanese man pledged his undying love to a video game character last weekend, in a first-of-its-kind ceremony witnessed by dozens of gamers. The man, username Sal9000, had fallen in love with Nene Anegasaki, a virtual woman in the Nintendo DS dating simulator “Love Plus.” He “married”... More »

MORE ABOUT:
Japan • marriage • Nintendo DS • video games

 NYC Targets Subway Gropers 

Officials want offenders' photos on 'wall on shame'

Nov 20, 09 3:11 AM CST
(Newser) - Sexual harassment is on the rise in the New York City subway system and city officials are cracking down on gropers and flashers. Sexual harassment is the "No. 1 quality of life offense on the subway," the chief of the NYPD's Transit Bureau told a hearing yesterday. The... More »

MORE ABOUT:
New York City • subway • sexual harassment • groping • New York City Subway • public transit

MARKETS

 Dow Up 137; 
 Fed News Sparks Rally 

Bernanke predicts US GDP growth in 2010

Nov 16, 09 3:12 PM CST
(Newser) - Stocks rallied today on news of strong third-quarter economic growth in Japan and reassurance from Ben Bernanke that the Fed will keep interest rates low, the Wall Street Journal reports.
  • The Dow rose 136.49 points to close at 10,406,96.
  • The Nasdaq gained 29.97, settling
... More »

MORE ABOUT:
Ben Bernanke • Japan • Federal Reserve • Dow Jones • Nasdaq • S&P 500 • Japanese economy • interest rates

398 Stories


World  •  Crime & Courts 
TwitterFollow @NewserWorld on Twitter

 
Japan • Tokyo • groping • commuter train

from our news partners

PopEater.com