The Best Safety Tips for Women Living in Japan

Helpful tips for expat women in Japan

Although Japan is relatively safe country, harassment like chikan (痴漢, チカン, or ちかん) is still very common. Thats why we need to know some helpful safety tips for women living in Japan.Japan has been trying to introduce harsher penalties, providing women-only cars in trains, and surveillance to help deter pervs from touching us however harassment of women still persists. Beyond chikan, stalking is something that occurs in Japan especially to gaijin women. In fact, more than 1 in 6 women will be stalked in their lifetime. That is not good odds. Stalking continues to be an issue in Japan (with many calling it a “crisis”). Recently stalking has become a crime and is punishable by law.

What you will find here: Safety Tips for Women Living in Japan

Here you’ll find some helpful safety tips for women living in Japan. If you’re new to Japan, or thinking about moving to Japan, these will help you prepare for a bright future. Remember all countries have a level of danger. No one deserves to be harassed. The unfortunate reality is that women are not always going to be put in safe situations through no fault of their own. All we can do is prepare the best we can. These are Japan specific safety tips that are commonly known amongst gaijin and Japanese women alike. I hope they help you live your best life in Japan! 

Don’t get an apartment on the ground floor in Japan

All my Japanese friends warned me about this when I was looking into renting my first apartment by myself. I didn’t listen of course. Then I had a gaijin friend who had someone follow her home and break in through her sliding door to her backyard courtyard. It makes it easier for stalkers to follow you if they’re able to access your apartment. When I ended up with my own stalker, he was able to leave me gifts right outside my door and come by and knock to see if I was home as I lived in an old apartment with no security. You will find most newer apartments come with extra security including security doors and intercom.

Dry your underwear inside

There are three things that always go missing in Japan: bicycles, umbrellas, and underwear. In a country with very low-crime rates, these are the things that people just can’t help themselves to. Dry your underwear inside or else it is like offering a free vending machine outside your apartment.

Don’t let anyone know you live alone

This basically applies everywhere around the world. If someone you don’t know asks if you live alone you tell them you have 50 roommates and several family members living under one roof with security cameras live-streamed in every room. You don’t want to tell any person you don’t know extremely well that you live alone. Even if you don’t have a roommate – lie. Before you go into your apartment, always check behind you to make sure you’re not being followed.

Know how to defend yourself the Japanese way

Tasers, weapons, and self-defense are a major no-go in Japan unless you want to end up in prison. Like many gaijin, my opinion is that you want to avoid the police as much as possible.

Therefore, the best way to defend yourself is to use Japanese people’s weakness against them: shame. The most effective thing you can do is shout “Chikan!”. It is basically shouting to warn people that there is a groper. You can use it for people harassing you or stalking you, too. It is something that no Japanese person wants to be accused of so you can expect them to make a run for it. Yep, they’ll just get away. That is all I’ve got, sorry. Welcome to Japan.

Always keep your gaijin card on you

Basically you’re supposed to keep your gaijin card (your residency card) at all times, but this rule really does matter. The police have the ability to detain you if you don’t show it and you don’t want to end up in that situation in Japan, trust me!

Safety shorts are great for keeping the cameras away

Safety shorts, or modesty shorts, are like a secret weapon if you wear skirts! They’re basically bike shorts, and will ensure that when you’re walking up and down stairs the pervs can’t take inappropriate photos of you. You can buy them at most stores such as Uniqlo or TutuAnna.