Butsukari otoko explained

means a man who deliberately does a ramming attack against a woman within a station precinct.^[1]

They are also called,^{[2] [3]} and ^[4]

Overview

In May 2018, the video of a man carrying out ramming attacks one after another targeting only women within the Shinjuku Station precinct was disseminated on Twitter, YouTube, etc. (video:女性に次々ぶつかる男性). In the wake of this, similar victim reports occurred one after another, and were also featured in multiple wide shows.^[5] JR East has given a heads-up on it as disruptive behaviour and has stepped up vigilance with security guards and station staff.

As for the motives for ramming, the purposes of relieving frustration, molestation and staged crash have been pointed out. Moreover, a warped feeling of justice for walking smartphones is also cited as a reason.

Types

According to a special feature on Morning Show which aired in May 2018, they say that 'butsukari otoko' are mainly classified into the following 4 patterns.^[6]

• Following type – He follows and bumps into a woman that he targeted.
• Pick-a-fight type – When she turns around, he stands firm with his feet set apart.
• My-own-way type – He ignores the flow of people.
• Attacking type – He does things like sticking his leg out.

Arrest examples

• September 26, 2019, Nijūbashimae Station, 49-year-old man, 3 women injured.
• July 10, 2020, Kamata Station, 45-year-old man, 6 women harmed.^[7]

Law

In the event that they deliberately launched a ramming attack against passers-by, etc., there is a possibility that they will be charged with the following crimes.^[8]

• Battery – For the act of ramming itself.
• Bodily harm – In cases where they have wounded the other party.
• Anti-nuisance ordinance violation – In cases where molestation is the purpose.
• Deception – In cases where they pretended that their smartphones, glasses, laptops, tablet devices, luxury watches and luxury bags were damaged or got scratched, or their brand-name luxury suits and coats got a stain or were torn, pressed them for a cleaning fee, repair bill, compensation for items and payment of settlement money, and swindled them out of their cash.

In addition, there are also cases where civil claims for compensation for damages are possible. Moreover, in the event that a pregnant woman had suffered an injury, bodily harm charges can also be applied for the fetus.^[9]

See also

• Violence against women
• Battery (crime)
• Harassment
• Random street assaults
• Molestation
• Staged crash
• Deception (criminal law)

Notes and References

1. Web site: Shino Tanaka . 女性を狙う『ぶつかり男』が新宿駅に出没。JR東日本が警戒「絶対にやめてほしい」 . May 31, 2018 . . . July 27, 2020 . ja . “Bumping Man” targeting women haunts Shinjuku Station. JR East Japan, on the alert, ‘absolutely wants him to stop’.
2. Web site: Bambi Yoshikawa . 女性ばかりを狙う「ぶつかりおじさん」は、ストレス社会が生んだモンスターか？ . December 21, 2018 . . . July 27, 2020 . ja . Are “Bumping old men”, who target only women, monsters that a stressful society created?.
3. Web site: Bambi Yoshikawa. 「女性に体当たりする暴走中年」増えた根本原因 . June 9, 2020 . . . July 27, 2020 . ja . The underlying cause why “out-of-control middle-aged men ramming themselves into women” have increased.
4. Web site: . 帰ってきた「ぶつかりおじさん」やり返せない人が狙われる . October 25, 2021 . . . October 25, 2021 . ja . People who cannot reply in kind are targeted by “bumping old men” who have begun to return.
5. Web site: . 小田急線刺傷事件､痴漢､セクハラ問題…なぜ｢男だって大変｣説が支持されるのか . September 16, 2021 . PRESIDENT WOMAN . president.jp . October 25, 2021 . ja . The Odakyū Line Stabbing Incident, molestations, the SH problem…Why is it that the “Men are formidable too” theory is supported?.
6. Web site: わざと女性に体当たり、「ぶつかり男」逮捕 新宿駅では現在も被害報告相次ぐ . September 27, 2019 . WEZZY . July 27, 2020 . ja . “Bumping man” arrested for deliberately ramming into women, but victim reports are still happening one after another at Shinjuku Station.
7. Web site: 女性の胸狙う"ぶつかり男"逮捕 容疑否認も過去には「感触が良く十数回やった」 . July 10, 2020 . FNN’s Prime Online . July 27, 2020 . ja . “Bumping man” targeting women’s breasts was arrested, also denies charges and in the past, ‘I did it a dozen times because it felt good’.
8. Web site: 「体当たり男」は犯罪！ どのような刑罰に該当するのかを弁護士が解説 . February 26, 2020 . Verybest Law Offices . July 27, 2020 . ja . “Ramming Man” is a crime! Lawyer explains what kind of punishments that it falls under.
9. Web site: キンタロー。も被害、"ぶつかり男"はどのような罪に問われるのか . February 19, 2020 . Mynavi News . July 29, 2020 . ja . Kintalo also harmed, what kind of crimes will the “bumping man” be charged with?.