Japan groping crisis sees invisible ink stamps handed out to women to ‘brand’ pervs who touch them up on packed tube trains
PERVERTS molesting woman on crowded trains in Japan are being branded with a new invisible anti-groping ink. And apparently the latest tool to deter deviant behaviour – a special stamp – is so popular with fed-up victims that the £19 devices sold out within minutes. The anti-groping stamp uses a special ink that can only […]
PERVERTS molesting woman on crowded trains in Japan are being branded with a new invisible anti-groping ink.
And apparently the latest tool to deter deviant behaviour – a special stamp – is so popular with fed-up victims that the £19 devices sold out within minutes.
The anti-groping stamp uses a special ink that can only be seen under ultraviolet light, but not under sunlight or artificial light.
The Times says that the device has a retractable stamp, inside a cylinder, that can be pressed against the skin of a molester, leaving him marked with an open palm.
Although invisible to the naked eye, it shows up when using an attached ultraviolet “blacklight” torch.
Developed by stamp-maker Shachihata Inc, company spokesman Hirofumi Mukai said that a limited trial run of 500 sets sold out in less than an hour after being made available at 1pm on Tuesday.
He said the stamp was to deter groping, particularly on Japan’s crowded trains at rush-hour.
Those branded with the open palm can later wash the ink off.
SAFETY PIN TO STAB GROPERS
Japan Times said that the invisible ink stamp was created several months after a viral tweet about a school doctor who suggested women protect themselves against train perverts by pricking gropers with a safety pin.
While some voiced their support, others warned it could be considered a crime.
Someone then contacted Shachihata via social media, suggesting the firm produce an anti-groping device.
Before releasing its trial run, the firm announced on Twitter that the stamp “reflects the voices of those who can’t speak up”.
Shachihata added that an “ideal world” would be “free of sexual crimes and violence, including molestation.
“However, this is too big a challenge, and it is a difficult social problem to… change.
“This is one small step.”
Hours after the launch, it announced that its “nuisance prevention stamp has reached the planned sales volume”.
‘HELP ME THERE’S A MOLESTER’
The invisible ink device is the latest tool to help women in Japan scare off perverts.
A Digi Police app, which blasts “help me, there is a molester” – brought out three years ago – has been downloaded hundreds of thousands of times.
Scores of women fed up with being groped by “dodgy men” on public transport have used its warning.
University student Reina Oishi, 21, said that she is using it as “I have been groped so many times.”
And beer shop employee Yui Kimura, 27, admitted she dreaded travelling from Hokkaido to Tokyo.
She said: “I tend to be vigilant on Tokyo trains as dodgy men can happen to be in front of me at any time.”
Although the app was initially brought out to warn elderly people, along with parents and kids about scams or burglars, its function was expanded to help “repel molesters” as part of the cops’ safety campaign.
