Chikan (body contact)

[1] The term is frequently used to describe men and women[2] who take advantage of the crowded conditions on the public transit systems to grope women, although men can be victims of chikan as well.

[3] While the term is not defined in the Japanese legal system, vernacular use describes acts that violate several laws.

One such situation (warned against in the sign pictured) is bicycle parking lots, where a molester will wait until a woman or man is bent over, unlocking their bicycle lock, and then grope them from behind.

[4] As part of the effort to combat chikan, some railway companies have designated women-only passenger cars.

[5][6][7] The National Police Agency reports that about 2,000 to 3,000 chikans are arrested each year.