My 12 Chikan (Sexual Assault) Stories that Almost All Japanese Women Would Relate to. #1
The term “Chikan”, meaning “molester”, “molestation”, “groper”, is becoming more and more recognized around the world. What are they really like? I’ll share some of my UNFORGETTABLE ones from childhood to adulthood.
Studies say people love to watch sports games because it boosts their psychological health by seeing themselves in the athletes. Now I totally understand them by watching this satisfying news:
While I was watching the video, I was like, “Yes! right side! Fast break! Left, left, left!!”
“Yeeeeeessss! Hoooo!” I rushed out naked like a crazy soccer fan.
I got arrested for public indecency.
…But I’d like you to pay attention to the bystanders.
They’re like, “What the hell?!!” — “Stay away from her!”
Apparently, nobody approached to support her.
I felt this scene was very similar to Japan’s molester cases, called “Chikan” in Japanese. And one of my own chikan encounters which I will tell you later.
The term “Chikan”, meaning “molester”, “molestation”, “groper”, is becoming more and more recognized around the world, joining other Japanese loan words like “tsunami”, “karaoke”, and “Japanese breakfast”.
Over time, the existence of Chikan has become “normal”, as “Beware of Molesters” (痴漢に注意) signs are found everywhere around Japan.
And when the crime of molestation is brought up, men become indignant and say things like, “I’m not one!”, “We are potential victims of false charges!”, or “Men also can be molested!” They claim THEY’RE VICTIMS, rather than facing the problem itself.
But currently, even in Japan, the subject is getting brought to the table. What I find most encouraging is, more Japanese men are beginning to talk about it. Like Shogo from Kyoto, Japan in this Youtube video:
Shogo very clearly presents studies that explain why Japan has the largest number of chikan cases, and how to protect oneself when on the train.
I appreciate Shogo’s efforts, but let me tell you the truth.
Chikan is happening somewhere right at this moment, not only on trains, and not only in Japan.
What are Chikan experiences like?
And how does a Japanese woman grow up?
Over the next period of time, I will be posting a series of my UNFORGETTABLE chikan experiences.
And I’ll share some self-defense techniques to help you protect yourself from molesters at the end of the series.
1. 7 Years Old: The Journey Begins.
I might have encountered chikan at a younger age, but my memory before elementary school is cloudy.
One day I got in the elevator on my way to my classmate’s birthday party.
I just turned seven two months before. Though I was usually very tomboyish, I was dressed up as a unicorn princess.
When the door opened, a young guy was squatting on the floor of the elevator. It was kinda surprising, but my neighborhood was well known as a place where “yankii” gangs (juvenile gangs) hung out. I thought he was one of them showing what a tough guy he was by squatting.
I just stood in front of him.
For the one or two minutes, until the elevator arrived at the ground floor, I felt something outside around my butt.
I looked back. The guy was still squatting.
He was acting like nothing was happening.
I turned to the front.
I was afraid he was touching my butt or lifting up my skirt, but I was too scared to look back again. I was too young to tell for sure what was happening.
2. 8 or 9 years old: Chikan in the Water
Many people believe that chikan is a land animal.
But chikan are also in the water — called “Sea Chikan” (cf. https://www.amazon.co.jp/-/en/Hagoromo-Sea-Chicken-L-Flake/dp/B00GU6ME48 )
That was when I went to a big indoor swimming pool with my family.
The pool had a wave-making machine.
I was alone in the crowd waiting for the next big wave and felt someone’s hand on my backside.
I looked behind me but there were too many people.
So I tried to swim away but soon got stuck in the crowd again. And he followed me.
Back then I was a bit of a shy kid, and very afraid to talk to adults I didn’t know.
But I already knew enough to kick the guy right behind me as hard as I could!!
“Itttttttteeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!! いって〜〜〜〜〜〜〜!!!”
A young guy’s scream was heard. I clenched my fist. But then a girl’s nervous laughter was heard, “Oh my god, are you OK?”
The guy I kicked was not the creepy molester, rather someone’s boyfriend.
I was the kid monster.
I was so mortified, I cringed and just swam away, saying in a quiet voice, “Sorry!”
Even today I sometimes remember that moment and scream in my mind, “Sorry!”, especially when I’m high.
In the end, my shyness had prevented me from asking adults for help.
They were just a prologue.
These are my first 2 unforgettable chikan stories.
You don’t have to be sorry for me, I’m over them. (But thank you!)
But, please do pray for the well-being of the guy I kicked by mistake.
That was a painful “false charge” for him.
If the “angry men” were right, I should be arrested for taking the self-defense action against the molester touching a nine-year-old girl in a crowded pool.
The story continues. (Next story : Girls, Bring Your Katana Sword When You Get In Elevators — My Chikan Stories #2 )
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I will continue posting articles on mental health, women's issues, and diversity from a Japanese comedian’s point of view.
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