Commuters tackle a man accused of groping and filming women at Nagoya subway station
Commuters at Nagoya’s Sakae subway station joined forces to subdue a man accused of groping and secretly filming women. The incident, captured on video, went viral across Japanese social media, earning praise for the women’s bravery.
- A man was pinned down by commuters at Nagoya’s Sakae subway station after allegedly groping and filming women.
- The dramatic struggle was caught on video, showing passengers holding down the suspect until security arrived.
- The viral footage has sparked public debate on harassment and safety measures for women in Japan’s public transport system.
NAGOYA — Commuters at Sakae subway station in Nagoya, Japan, joined forces to subdue a man accused of groping and secretly filming women, in an incident that was captured on video and has since gone viral across Japanese social media.
The confrontation occurred last week inside the busy subway station, where several women and an older man were seen restraining the suspect on a stairway platform.
Viral video shows chaotic struggle
In footage posted by Instagram user @thenomadicsunny, a masked man is seen being pushed against a wall before tumbling onto the stairway as he tried to break free.
An older commuter carrying a briefcase then straddled the suspect to prevent him from escaping, while other passengers rushed over to help pin him down until security staff arrived.
Captions accompanying the viral post alleged that the suspect had been caught groping women and taking illicit upskirt photos prior to being confronted.
Public praise for commuters’ bravery
The video quickly gained traction online, drawing widespread praise for the commuters involved — particularly the women who first confronted the man.
“Japanese women are standing up for themselves more — it’s inspiring,” one commenter wrote, while others expressed frustration that voyeurism and groping remain common on Japan’s public transport system despite years of awareness campaigns.
Authorities have yet to release the suspect’s identity or confirm whether any charges have been filed. However, the footage has reignited discussion about enhancing surveillance and commuter safety in crowded train stations.
