Little sympathy for rape victims in Japan

[wicket]

LINK

A man molests a young woman sitting next to him on a Japanese train, drags her to a restroom and rapes her while she sobs. Some 40 fellow passengers fail to intervene.

The case, which came to light with the suspect's arrest last month, shocked the public and prompted soul-searching in the media, which said passengers may have told themselves it was a lovers' fight but should have helped the woman.

Activists and lawyers say sentiment towards rape victims remains chilly in a society where many feel the woman may have led the man on, that she is lying or that she could have fought back. Campaigns by women's groups and legal changes have helped make it easier for rape victims in Japan to speak up and take legal action against perpetrators, but many still stay silent out of shame and fear of criticism.

"There is still widespread belief in 'rape myths'," said Masayo Niwa, an official at the Centre for Education and Support for Women, Japan, referring to the perception, contrary to law, that only assaults by strangers can be defined as "rape."

"Victims don't report cases because they think society can't be trusted to believe them," she said. Some victims' support groups estimate that rape cases in Japan amounted to more than 10 times the National Police Agency's official figure of 1,948 last year.

Sex crimes against bar hostesses or other women working in entertainment districts are treated especially lightly, and are seldom reported to support groups, activists say.

[BlooInBloo]

1. They're serious about not believing in rape - remember the chinese "comfort girls" denial?

[wicket]

4. Exactly

n/t

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

5. Are Americans much different?

Because for many months after the war American troops took advantage of Japan's "comfort girls" and we don't talk that much about it in history class either.

[BlooInBloo]

7. (shrug) This thread was about Japan, so that's all I spoke of...

... I wasn't making any we're-better-than-they-are contrast.

[derby378]

2. A cursory look at Japanese television game shows...

...demonstrates that too many Japanese men still consider women playthings to be exploited at will. The strong feminine type doesn't always play well.

Not that I didn't enjoy that clip of the lizard chasing down those pop stars with pork chops tied to their heads, mind you. But I still got the impression those women were used as window-dressing that makes funny screaming nosies whenever a critter draws near.

[dave_p]

3. It's not peculiar to Japan

Catching up with our perception of rape takes a lot of work. It isn't so long ago that it was considered the stuff of "jokes" in the most advanced societies. I fear in some backward quartersa it still is. In fact we know it is, as we've recently been reminded.

It isn't acceptible anywhere. Japan's kept its sense of self together through a peculiar concoction of traditional and modern notions that others will doubtless follow. Let's just make sure that our indignation is because this particular attitude is an obscenity, not because it's "them".

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

6. It's also not particular to rape.

It's basic human psychology. Most people stand around and do nothing when a violent crime oocurs.

We were just talking about this yesterday when the mugger beat up the 91 year old man, and the bystanders in the background did nothing.

[MrPrax]

12. Yeah...they don't want to be hurt?

That's real basic human psychology -- even more so when you realize that IF the authorities don't see your intervention, if successful?, you could be charged and made an example of by law enforcement that wants to discourage 'vigilantism'.

Self-interest will always trump altruism regardless of how many times this 'idea' is presented in ideological and religious terms.

[Solo_in_MD]

8. I am all for violent responses to this kind of thing, though its almost unthinkable in Japan

A small sharp object applied forcefully tends to convince the perp to go elsewhere, and every once in a great while you hear about that happening in a Japanese subway incident. Hatpins, they just aren't for little old ladies anymore...

[wicket]

10. I like the hatpin idea

:thumbsup:

[Solly Mack]

9. ...

[Matsubara]

11. "kankei nai" (it has nothing to do with me) is a real problem here...

People tend to just ignore the most antisocial behavior. One of the drawbacks of a culture that emphasizes passivity for the sake of harmony.

Then there's the whole Japanese view of sexuality, which, although not puritanical like the US, is rather unhealthy and often puts women in the position of being completely objectified.

During sexual encounters, women here seem te be conditioned to do a lot of protesting even if they're into it, they are saying "no, I don't like it, etc." - it's considered desirable by men.

But that could easily lead to confusion in the case of the toilet rape. People on the train probably thought they were just an inconsiderate couple who couldn't wait to get a room.

My wife is Japanese, but I'm very grateful that she came of age in the states, and does not behave in the infantile way women here are conditioned to.

[Truthseeker013]

13. From what little I've seen...

of Japanese culture (mostly through manga and anime), and a few choice videos I've had the displeasure of seeing (including the latest Japanese fad, "sex wrestling (little more than r*pe in the ring), there's *never* been much in the way of respect for women there.