Japanese Media: Summer Sees Surge in "Train Creepers" Incidents
As reported by Japanese media outlet Asahi Shimbun on June 1: With the arrival of summer, incidents involving "creeps" have entered a peak season.
On the same day, the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department and railway operators launched a "Zero Creep Campaign." Around 100 personnel—including officers from Shinjuku Police Station, station staff, and student volunteers—gathered at JR Shinjuku Station (1-chōme, Nishinobashi, Shinjuku Ward, Tokyo) to urge pedestrians to remain vigilant.
The Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department is urging the public to use the mobile safety app "DigiPolice." This app features an emergency function: when activated during harassment, it displays the message "I am being sexually harassed—please help me" on the phone screen or plays the audio alert "Please stop." This can attract attention from people nearby.
In July 2025, a woman who was sexually assaulted on a train used DigiPolice to request help from nearby passengers, leading to the immediate arrest of the suspect.
Yuriko Ueki, Chief of the Life Safety General Affairs Division, stated: "Sexual harassers will ultimately be caught." She also urged the public: "If you witness someone being sexually harassed, please cooperate in protecting the victim. If you become a victim, do not hesitate—seek help from those around you."
According to the Community Safety General Affairs Division, 667 cases of "train creepers" were detected in Tokyo in 2025. These incidents most frequently occur during morning commuting, school hours, and evening rush periods. By location, the majority took place inside trains (459 cases), followed by streets (77 cases) and commercial centers (60 cases). Most victims were in their teens or twenties.
The "Eliminate Creeps" campaign will continue until the 15th. Enhanced announcements within trains and stations, along with increased patrols by plainclothes police officers, will be implemented.
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1866771812162560/
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