Reports have surfaced of a disturbing rise in "chikan" activities, with teenage candidates for high-stakes exams being targeted on crowded trains in Japan. These incidents, which took place over the weekend as students traveled to their exams on Saturday and Sunday, have raised concerns among authorities and the public. The phenomenon of chikan involves perpetrators secretly touching and harassing women in congested public spaces.
Authorities have noted a significant increase in social media activity by men exchanging tips on how to exploit overcrowded trains during the exam season. This troubling trend has been identified by police who routinely monitor online platforms for such content. The posts suggest strategies for targeting women amid the crush of passengers that typically characterizes this period.
The timing of these incidents aligns with the heightened congestion on trains during exam season, a factor that seems to contribute to the rise in chikan occurrences. As teenagers made their way to crucial exams, they found themselves vulnerable to these unwelcome advances.
Sumie Kawakami, a lecturer at Yamanashi Gakuin University and author on gender issues, commented on the motivations behind such actions:
"Gropers find joy in secretly touching and troubling women." – Sumie Kawakami
The increased scrutiny on social media posts related to chikan reflects the police's awareness of this seasonal spike. Authorities continue to monitor these platforms in an effort to curb the exchange of harmful information and protect potential victims.
Leave a Reply