'Deliberately' Targeting Both Mother and Child... Renewed Controversy Over "Butsukari-zoku"

Controversy Rekindled Over 'Butsukari' Targeting Foreigners in Japan
Shibuya Child-Pushing Incident in Tokyo Also Draws Attention

A Korean family traveling in Nagoya, Japan, released a video claiming they were victims of a so-called "shoulder bump"—deliberate physical collisions—causing the controversy to intensify. Previously, a video of a foreign child being pushed and falling at a crosswalk in Tokyo went viral, once again drawing attention in Japan to the issue of "Butsukari" (intentional collision).

The so-called 'Butsukari (ぶつかり)' act, where pedestrians deliberately collide with others, has become a topic of controversy in Japan. Screenshot from social media.

On March 10, an Instagram user posted a video of an unpleasant incident that occurred during a trip to Japan. In the video, filmed at a convenience store in Nagoya in 2024, a woman carrying several bags is seen passing through an aisle, first pushing a tourist who is filming, then pushing a Korean child as she walks by. The person who posted the video wrote, "During our trip to Nagoya, both my child and I experienced these shoulder bumps and bag bumps. I was upset and remembered it, but seeing what recently happened in Tokyo made me angry all over again."

A video posted by a user shows a woman carrying several bags passing through an aisle at a convenience store in Nagoya, Japan, in 2024. She first pushes a female tourist who is filming, then pushes a Korean child as she walks by. Instagram

The user continued, "After finishing our schedule, I was filming at a convenience store when a woman bumped into me first. I said 'sumimasen' (I’m sorry), and my daughter, who saw this, came over. At that moment, she was pushed as well." The user added, "I could tolerate it when it happened to me, but I couldn't when it happened to my daughter, so I chased after the woman to protest." In closing, the user said, "That person may not feel any remorse, but I hope many Japanese people will see this video. I hope this never happens again."

‘Butsukari’: Deliberately Bumping Into Shoulders or Bodies and Walking Away

As such cases draw attention, a similar incident recently occurred in Tokyo, sparking controversy. In a video posted on social media on February 25 by a Taiwanese tourist visiting Japan, a child taking photos at the Shibuya crossing is pushed by a woman wearing a mask and falls over. The video spread rapidly online, fueling debate.

Amid growing attention to such cases, a similar incident recently occurred in Tokyo, sparking controversy. Screenshot from SNS

Following this incident, the so-called "Butsukari (ぶつかり)" behavior—where pedestrians intentionally bump into others—has come under scrutiny in Japan. People who repeatedly engage in such acts are referred to as "Butsukari-zoku (ぶつかり族)." They are known to deliberately bump their shoulders or bodies into unsuspecting pedestrians on the street and then simply walk away. There have been reports that they often target physically weaker individuals, such as children or women. With complaints about Butsukari incidents on the rise, the Embassy of China in Japan recently urged its nationals to exercise caution.

"Punishable Even Without Injury" — Evidence Must Be Secured in the Event of Harm

The so-called "Butsukari (ぶつかり)" behavior, where pedestrians deliberately bump into others, has come under scrutiny in Japan. In Japan, people who repeatedly engage in this behavior are called "Butsukari-zoku (ぶつかり族)." The photo is unrelated to the specific contents of the article. Pixabay

On March 4, the Chinese Embassy issued a statement on its official WeChat account, saying, "Recently, there have been a series of incidents in Japan involving people deliberately bumping into others, drawing the focus of public opinion," and urged Chinese nationals residing in Japan to pay attention to their safety. The embassy specifically mentioned areas with high foot traffic such as Shibuya and Ikebukuro in Tokyo, and Dotonbori in Osaka, urging extra caution. The embassy also advised, "When passing through crowded areas, try to keep a safe distance from others and pay special attention to elderly companions and children."

The embassy also explained how to respond if victimized. "If you experience such behavior, secure evidence and report it to the nearest police station as soon as possible," it stated. "According to Japanese law, even if no injury occurs, attacking another person's body can constitute assault." Under current Japanese law, such acts can be punished even if no injury results. Offenders may face up to two years in prison or a fine of up to 300,000 yen. If injuries are sustained, a medical certificate from a hospital can be used as evidence in a civil lawsuit.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.