Society Viral video prompts Chinese embassy in Japan to warn about 'bumpers'

The Chinese Embassy in Japan warned its citizens on Wednesday to remain alert for so-called "bumpers," people who deliberately collide with pedestrians in crowded areas. The notice followed a video that circulated widely last month showing a tourist being knocked over in Tokyo. The clip, posted on Instagram, shows a woman posing for photos at Shibuya Crossing. A masked passer-by approaches from behind and suddenly pushes her to the ground.

This bumper was a butsukari onna.


In a message posted on X, the embassy advised Chinese nationals to keep their distance in crowded areas and to avoid looking at their smartphones while walking. If someone is struck, the notice says, they should remain calm and report the incident to the nearest police station. The warning describes bumpers as individuals who target passers-by, including foreign tourists and people seen as vulnerable, such as women, children and the elderly. The assailants strike as they pass, then disappear into the crowd.

Bumpers have periodically made the news in Japan. Called butsukari otoko (ぶつかり男), or bumper guys, assailants are often described as middle-aged men who mainly shove women, with videos of such attacks posted on social media going viral.

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Perhaps one shouldn't stand motionless at a busy crossing or, indeed walk while staring at your phone?

I like practice 'zanshin' while I'm out and about.

That video of the woman knocking the kid down was all over reddit a week or so ago. People noticed that she bumped another kid (girl, greyish top and jumper, looks back to her left about a meter back) just before knocking the one down, and some were saying she'd bumped someone else even before that.

Unfortunately, she has not been ID'd, tho on the japanese language subs, there was a lot of accusation that she "looked" like someone from another country.

The Guardian is a bit late to the party.

I was descending on the correct side of the stairs into a metro station once, by the central hand rail. A local guy was coming up directly toward me rather quickly and appearing not a little irritated at something, on the wrong side, and shoulder bumped me out of the way (more belly-bumped, given his position in relation to mine). Had I anticipated his intent, I could have 'powered through' him but I let it go; it was very busy and I was too surprised to react in a confrontational manner. I don't know if my experience is similar to that highlighted by the crossing event and the child.