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How Men in Japan Harass Female Athletes with Infrared Cameras
Some men in Japan have found a new way to harass women.
By Jay Allen
This week in Japan, a sports clothing manufacturer announced it was testing a new sportswear line at the Paris Olympics. The clothing doesn’t aim to make athletes more comfortable or agile. Instead, it’s designed to protect female athletes from a chronic problem in women’s sports in Japan: men taking pictures of their undergarments with infrared photography.
Sexualizing of athletes: a years-long problem in Japan
While people laud Japan for its relatively low crime and safety, women often struggle to enjoy that sense of safety. One chronic issue is groping attacks, which go underreported — and which police often fail to take seriously when they are.
Another issue is non-consensual photography. Cases of non-consensual photos rose in 2023 to a record 5,700 incidents nationwide, with 80% of those crimes committed with smartphones. You can find signs in train stations throughout Japan — some warning women, others warning potential perps — about both types of attacks.
