The Nape Felt Hot, Then 'Shock'... Japan in Chaos Over New Type of Sexual Harassment Offender Difficult to Punish

Smelling Hair or Blowing Breath on the Nape in the Subway
"Identifying Perpetrators and Proving Criminal Acts Is Difficult," a Headache

In Japan, there has been a sharp increase in cases of "non-touch molesters" who engage in inappropriate acts without directly touching women's bodies.

Recently, the Sankei Shimbun reported on these "molesters who do not make physical contact."

They mainly appear on crowded public transportation and satisfy their sexual gratification by methods such as smelling women's hair or blowing warm breath on the nape of the neck instead of making physical contact.

A woman in her 20s who commutes at the same time every day said, "At some point, I started feeling warm breath on the nape of my neck, which gave me goosebumps," and added, "It feels very unpleasant when it happens."

She reported the incidents to the railway police, but due to the police's lukewarm response, she suffered for several months and eventually developed symptoms of panic disorder. The woman ultimately had to take a leave of absence from work and be hospitalized for treatment.

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Such cases of victimization are rapidly spreading as affected women share their experiences on social networking services (SNS). However, there is no legal basis for punishment under current laws, and it is also difficult to prove the damage.

Attorney Shimizu from the Yokohama Joint Law Office explained, "If it is proven that someone caused embarrassment or anxiety to others through obscene behavior in public places, it falls under the violation of nuisance prevention ordinances in each prefecture."

However, he added, "It is difficult to identify the perpetrator and secure evidence to prove the criminal act, so it is not easy for cases to lead to actual criminal or civil punishment."

A legal expert said, "There is no other way except self-defense," and advised, "If you feel victimized, you should turn around to show your discomfort and warn the perpetrator."

Meanwhile, earlier in July, the Japanese Cabinet Office announced survey results showing that 13.6% of young women in Japan have experienced molestation.

According to Jiji Press, 10.5% of young people aged 16 to 29 have experienced molestation, and about 70% of these incidents occurred in subway cars and subway-related locations such as stations. Among the victims, 88.0% were women and 10.6% were men.