A Singaporean woman's holiday in Japan took an unexpected turn when she was allegedly punched by an elderly man in Sapporo Pole Town. Netizens attributed the incident to the phenomenon known as 'Butsukari Otoko', which translates to 'Bumping Man'. This term refers to men who deliberately bump into or shoulder-check people, especially women, in crowded public spaces.
The TikToker @aliciatadah, known as Ally, was walking with a group of six friends when the incident occurred. She recounted that she initially thought she was overreacting when the elderly man punched her elbow. However, just seconds later, he attempted to punch her friend who was standing right behind her. While her friend managed to dodge the blow, the group was left stunned and shaken.
The alleged incident took place in an underground walkway, and it's unclear when it occurred. The TikTok clip, posted on December 9, has since gained over 51,000 views, 999 reactions, and 117 comments. Ally noted that she was not in the man's way and couldn't understand why he hit her. She warned others to be cautious when walking underground in Sapporo, as 'random old guys' might punch them in the arm.
The incident sparked a discussion among netizens, with some sharing similar experiences in Japan. One user recalled being pushed by an elderly man in Sapporo, and another mentioned that men often shove people in subway stations, especially targeting women. A TikToker from Kyoto shared a similar story, stating that they were yelled at for no reason and formed a negative view of Japan after realizing how much some locals 'hate tourists'.
Some netizens reported more serious incidents, such as being pinched by older men on buses and filing police reports. The article concludes by inviting readers to share their stories and invites discussion on the topic.
