When foreign visitors first arrive in Japan, one of the things that catches their attention is women-only train cars. The reason behind them is startling: the rampant issue of “chikan” (molesters or sexual offenders) on crowded trains. This unsettling reality is still a common part of life in Japan and often makes headlines.
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ToggleEscape, followed by an arrest

In June, at Osaki Station in Shinagawa Ward, surveillance footage captured a tense scene: a man climbing over the tracks’ fence, hurriedly retrieving something from the ground, and sprinting off. That man, 54-year-old chef Toshihiko Nojiri from Yokohama, had just been caught red-handed as a chikan (痴漢) – a molester.
His victim, a woman in her twenties, courageously grabbed his arm and pulled him out of the crowded JR Yamanote train where he had just molested her. Despite her brave attempt to drag him onto the platform and call for help, Nojiri seized the chance amid the confusion to make his getaway. The fence he scaled was two meters high and designed to deter climbers.
On July 18th, a month later, Nojiri was finally arrested. He admitted to everything, admitting he had fled in panic as he’d get caught otherwise. And he was right—thanks to the victim’s brave call for help.
Sadly, while this scenario is all too familiar in Japan, not every case ends with an arrest. For many, it just ends in silence.
10% of all young people are groping victims
As time passed, awareness of this issue grew, leading to stronger measures to combat it. Yet, the current numbers show that the situation remains far from improving.
In a December 2023 survey by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, over 40% of women and about 10% of men reported being victims of molestation. Alarmingly, 40% of them did nothing about it. Even more troubling, about 30% of witnesses did nothing, saying they “weren’t sure” of what they saw.

These figures were confirmed in February by a nationwide Cabinet Office survey. Among 3,804 young respondents, a shocking 10% reported being victims. Even worse, a staggering 80% didn’t report it to the police, most because they didn’t want to ‘make a big deal out of it.’
The 2024 survey revealed that train stations are the most frequent site for molestation, with 62.8% of incidents occurring there. The Saitama Police Railway Unit flagged the Musashino Line as having the highest number of groping reports in 2023. While this doesn’t alter the societal roots of harassment, it does show that crowded places provide more opportunities for offenders to act.
Report filed—then what?
The reality is that it’s not so straightforward, even when victims find the courage to speak up. So, if a victim does come forward, what happens next?
The “best-case scenario” is if the molestation is caught in the act. In that situation, bystanders can arrest the perpetrator on the spot, even without a warrant. This means the offender can be detained and handed over to the police right away, without needing extra evidence.
The trouble starts when an arrest can’t be made immediately. Even if harassment is confirmed through victim reports and surveillance footage, an arrest warrant often needs more evidence—like witness accounts, extra footage, or fibers from the victim’s clothing. This process can be intimidating, and the added pressure might make some victims hesitate to come forward.
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Chieko Aoki, a lawyer for molestation victims who has faced it herself, recounted the ordeal vividly in an interview with Sankei Shimbun. In October 2020, after being groped on a train, she courageously tried to drag her attacker to justice. Still in shock and injured from the man’s escape, she had to hand over her underwear as evidence. Aoki vividly remembers the intense unease and anxiety she felt during that moment.
Although Aoki’s story ended on a positive note with the attacker’s arrest, many others might struggle with a different reality. They could dread the reporting process and fear they won’t be believed or supported by those they seek help from.
Mobilization underway

Fortunately, countermeasures have ramped up. Legally, penalties have become harsher. Where once local prefectural ordinances imposed fines of up to 500,000 yen or six months in prison, a new law introduced in July 2023 now makes non-consensual obscene acts punishable by up to 10 years in prison.
Legal changes are just one part of the solution. Train stations are also taking action. JR East has added more security cameras to 8,500 local trains in Tokyo. High-incidence lines like the Musashino Line have seen a boost in security and staff. Plus, the Kanto region is now dotted with awareness leaflets and announcements, encouraging victims and witnesses to speak up.
Recent innovations include the ‘Chikan Radar’ app, which lets victims report incidents with a single button press. Launched in 2019, the app quickly gained traction, racking up over 2,000 reports in just six months, with half of those coming from Tokyo’s busiest stations.
Then there are the women-only cars, introduced in October 2002 by Keio Electric Railway and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport, and Tourism. Despite some backlash, it has received strong backing, with 90% of women and 60% of men in favor. Now common in major cities, it relies on voluntary cooperation from male passengers, with no legal enforcement.
These efforts are a step in the right direction, but they miss a crucial point: molestation is deeply ingrained in societal attitudes. To make a real difference, tackling these root causes is essential.
Breaking the cycle
The crucial point is the socio-cultural background of molestation, deeply embedded in Japan’s male-dominated society. This creates a vicious cycle: molesters feel emboldened, victims stay silent, and witnesses remain inactive.
Gender law scholar Chie Yatagawa sees these dynamics as deeply rooted in the legal system meant to protect victims. Until 2023, rape victims had to prove violence or threats by showing significant resistance—torn clothing, injuries, and more. The 2023 revision to ‘non-consensual intercourse’ laws changed that, but the lingering male-centric legal dynamics still make many victims hesitant to come forward.
Other socio-cultural factors explain why witnesses often stay passive, whether in crowded areas or not. When they see molestation, many assume the authorities will handle it, missing their chance to take responsibility.
Lastly, consider the perpetrators. Akira Saito, a mental health worker focused on rehabilitation, revealed to NHK that nearly all the offenders she’s encountered would have kept up their violent behavior if not for their arrest. This underscores the need for effective rehabilitation to prevent future offenses and re-educate offenders. However, in Japan, such programs remain woefully neglected and underfunded.
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In short, there’s no quick fix for the groping issue. Solving this deeply ingrained problem is like piecing together a complex puzzle—every piece counts. But first, getting to the root of the problem is the crucial step towards real change.
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