Butsukari otoko

For the act by rail staff to fill train cars, see Passenger pusher.

Butsukari otoko (ぶつかり男, 'Bumping man') is a Japanese term that refers to a person who deliberately collides with passersby in crowded public places, such as train stations.[1][2] Perpetrators described as butsukari otoko are often men in their forties or older, and it has been reported that while targets may include men, smaller women are more frequently targeted.[3]

In May 2018, a video of a butsukari otoko at Shinjuku Station was disseminated on Twitter, YouTube, etc.[4][1] In the wake of this, similar victim reports occurred.[5] JR East, in response, labelled such attacks as disruptive behaviour and increased monitoring by security guards and station staff.[6]

The motives of individuals described as butsukari otoko have been speculated to include venting frustrations arising from stressful social lives,[3] and some perpetrators have intentionally collided with women in an attempt to touch their breasts.[7]

Etymology

Butsukari otoko have been alternatively called Takkuru otoko (タックル男, 'Tackle men'),[8] Taiatari otoko (体当たり男, 'Ramming men')[3] and Butsukari ojisan (ぶつかりおじさん, 'Bumping old men').[6]

Types

According to a special feature on Morning Show which aired in May 2018, butsukari otoko are mainly classified into 5 patterns.[9]

  • A butsukari otoko of the "following type" follows a woman that he has targeted and bumps into her.
  • A butsukari otoko of the "pick-a-fight" type stands firm with his feet set apart when a woman turns around.
  • A butsukari otoko of the "my-own-way type" ignores the flow of people.
  • A butsukari otoko of the "attacking type" sticks his leg out, among other actions.
  • A butsukari otoko of the "slugger type" punches unsuspecting women in the eye.

Gender variations

Butsukari onna

While the term butsukari otoko specifically refers to men, intentional bumping is increasingly documented as a gender-neutral form of physical harassment or assault in Japan. Social discourse and media reports have used the term butsukari onna (ぶつかり女, "bumping woman") to describe female perpetrators of similar behavior.

In February 2026, a high-profile incident occurred at Shibuya Crossing in Tokyo, where a woman was filmed intentionally shoving a young girl to the ground before walking away. This incident, which involved a Taiwanese family on vacation, has sparked significant international outrage and renewed calls for stricter enforcement against intentional bumping as a public safety issue rather than a social nuisance.[10]

Butsukari kata

Butsukari kata (ぶつかり方, "bumping individual") can be used as a gender-neutral term.[11]

Arrests

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.[12]

  • 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.[13]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b Shino Tanaka (May 31, 2018). "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」" [“Bumping Man” targeting women haunts Shinjuku Station. JR East Japan, on the alert, ‘absolutely wants him to stop’]. HuffPost (in Japanese). BuzzFeed Japan. Retrieved July 27, 2020.
  2. ^ "ホームや路上で女性にいきなり…｢ぶつかり男｣は罪に問えるのか？心理と対処法を専門家に聞く《5月には大学准教授が暴行容疑で逮捕》". Toyo Keizai. 31 August 2025. Retrieved 28 February 2026.
  3. ^ a b c d Bambi Yoshikawa (June 9, 2020). "「女性に体当たりする暴走中年」増えた根本原因" [The underlying cause why “out-of-control middle-aged men ramming themselves into women” have increased]. Toyo Keizai Online (in Japanese). Toyo Keizai Inc. Retrieved July 27, 2020.
  4. ^ YouTube 女性に次々ぶつかる男性
  5. ^ Satetsu Takeda (September 16, 2021). "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" [The Odakyū Line Stabbing Incident, molestations, the SH problem…Why is it that the “Men are formidable too” theory is supported?]. PRESIDENT WOMAN (in Japanese). president.jp. Retrieved October 25, 2021.
  6. ^ a b Hyakusō Hino (October 25, 2021). "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" [People who cannot reply in kind are targeted by “bumping old men” who have begun to return]. News Postseven (in Japanese). Shogakukan. Retrieved October 25, 2021.
  7. ^ a b "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」" [“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’]. FNN’s Prime Online (in Japanese). July 10, 2020. Retrieved July 27, 2020.
  8. ^ Bambi Yoshikawa (December 21, 2018). "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？" [Are “Bumping old men”, who target only women, monsters that a stressful society created?]. Bunshun Online (in Japanese). Bungeishunjū. Retrieved July 27, 2020.
  9. ^ "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" [“Bumping man” arrested for deliberately ramming into women, but victim reports are still happening one after another at Shinjuku Station]. WEZZY (in Japanese). September 27, 2019. Archived from the original on April 4, 2023. Retrieved July 27, 2020.
  10. ^ "Video of girl being shoved in Japan sparks online outrage". CNN. 2026-02-27. Retrieved 2026-02-27.
  11. ^ Tamura, Yuko (2025-01-31). "Mind the gap — and the shoulder checking: Dealing with pushy people in Japan's crowded spaces". The Japan Times. Retrieved 2026-03-06.
  12. ^ "「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" [“Ramming Man” is a crime! Lawyer explains what kind of punishments that it falls under] (in Japanese). Verybest Law Offices. February 26, 2020. Retrieved July 27, 2020.
  13. ^ "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" [Kintalo also harmed, what kind of crimes will the “bumping man” be charged with?]. Mynavi News (in Japanese). February 19, 2020. Retrieved July 29, 2020.
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