The incident occurred in 7/2024, according to Ms. Choi, a South Korean tourist, whose family was traveling in Nagoya with their 4-year-old daughter. While the girl was looking at snacks with her father in a convenience store, a woman walking past unexpectedly used her bag to forcefully push the child. Startled, the girl appeared frightened and immediately ran to her mother.

“The woman bumped into me first and then walked past. When my daughter approached, she also used her bag to push her”, Ms. Choi told local media.

The mother stated she recently posted the video from their trip following an incident where a Taiwanese girl was pushed at Shibuya crossing in Tokyo. After the video was shared, other South Korean tourists who had visited Japan also recounted similar experiences.

Ms. Choi mentioned receiving many apology messages from Japanese users. “It is regrettable that all Japanese people are criticized solely due to the inconsiderate actions of a few individuals”, she said.

The behavior in the video is believed to be similar to cases related to the "butsukari otoko" phenomenon in Japan, a term referring to individuals who intentionally collide with pedestrians and then quickly leave. Victims in these incidents are often women or children.

This phenomenon gained attention in 2018 after a video emerged showing a man intentionally bumping into several women at Shinjuku station, the world’s busiest passenger station.

Tourists on Takeshita street in Harajuku shopping district, Tokyo, Japan, 8/2024. Photo: Reuters.

Several similar incidents have also been recorded around Tamachi station in Tokyo, including one case where a woman sustained a broken rib from a severe collision. Subsequently, pedestrian lanes separated by bollards were installed at the station entrances and exits to manage foot traffic.

According to a 2024 survey by The Guardian involving approximately 21,000 people, 14% reported being victims of "butsukari" behavior, 6% witnessed such incidents, and 5% stated they had both been attacked and witnessed it.

Experts suggest this phenomenon may be linked to social pressure and evolving relationship dynamics in Japan. Some individuals intentionally bump into others as a way to vent frustration, but these actions are difficult to prosecute due to their quick nature in crowds.

The tourism boom further complicates the issue, with throngs of visitors flocking to bustling spots in Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka for filming and photography. Following the Shibuya crossing incident, the Chinese Embassy in Tokyo promptly issued a warning, advising its citizens to maintain a safe distance in crowded areas and avoid using phones while walking.

Tuan Anh (Based on The Guardian, The Korea Herald)