Sex crimes rising with thermometer

Successive waves of superheated, tropical air have been assaulting the Japanese archipelago this summer, and the noon news broadcasts frequently issue color-coded advisories warning viewers to take precautions against heatstroke.

But that’s not the only thing people need to be on their guard against. Another, reports evening tabloid Nikkan Gendai (Aug 7) is sex crimes. They’re occurring more often, in places where people least expect them. The perpetrators nabbed in recent incidents—of flashing, groping and shooting videos with a concealed camera—reported from around the nation were professionals engaged in such respectable occupations as attorney, laboratory researcher, TV producer and defense ministry official.

“Some say that greater exposure of skin by females in summer is a contributing factor, but that’s not the only reason,” says Akio Kuroki, a former policeman who turned to journalism. “Hot weather tends to make people unwind, and females tend to let down their guard, whereas men feel more emboldened. Some men, feeling less restrained, might say to themselves, ‘It’s okay to go after this girl.’”

U.S.-educated psychologist and author Joji Suzuki is also convinced of the correlation between degrees Celsius and the frequency of sex-related incidents.

“The higher the temperature, the more sex stimulation males receive from females,” he remarks. “Take scent, for example. Women’s body odors become stronger in the heat. Perfume triggers delusional thinking, and males are unaware they are being excited.

“Another factor is tanned skin, which tends to be sexually stimulating. As temperatures go up and amount of clothing covering the body is reduced, this stirs up associations that she’s making sexual overtures.”

Suzuki adds that what males might misinterpret as sexually inviting behavior may be more than a female’s listlessness brought on by the oppressive heat.

With so many potential summertime pitfalls, Nikkan Gendai repeatedly urges its readers to keep cool—in more ways than one.

Latest 15 of 28 Total Comments Show All

cwhite at 11:47 PM JST - 7th August

I thought that was the whole point. Why else do apparel and cosmetics pump out all the skimpy commercials this time of the year.
lipscombe at 02:56 AM JST - 8th August

there is a small lane very nearby my house notoriously called "Chikan Run" in awkward homage to the mel gibson voiced chicken animation feelgood flick. It's not a shortcut you would want to take at anytime of year due to the high risk of fondling. in all seriousness though this place is a disgrace. I know of at least 4 attempted rapes that have occured there in the past 6 months. but the police (despite the Koban being less than 3 minutes stroll from there) have done NOTHING except hang signs warning "there are perverts here, turn back" cream of the crop they are, cream of the crop
Triple888 at 08:28 AM JST - 8th August

It's normal. Bacteria multiply in comfortable environments, humans are no exception.
LIBERTAS at 08:52 AM JST - 8th August

"Look. Don't touch!" That's what'll keep you out of jail.
Zolt at 12:42 PM JST - 8th August

That style of reporting and mentality really gives me raging fits every time! Sex crimes explained away as the woman's fault for being attractive!

Women have every right to look as sexy as they feel comfortable with. Men worth the name have no excuse whatsoever to act upon it in anything but the most gentlemanly way. Period.
sensei258 at 04:56 PM JST - 8th August

I have no problem with women who dress sexy. But don't pull an attitude if all I am doing is looking.
Bungleer at 05:39 PM JST - 8th August

What my daddy always said (however in German) "Get your appetite outdoors, but always eat at home"
majimekun at 09:42 PM JST - 8th August

Why bother groping in the middle of a hot summer when you can simply enter a crowded train an let yourself get literally crushed against the sweaty body of a ligthly clothed girl who won't complain?
ByakkoDono at 12:51 PM JST - 9th August

And there it goes again the old mantra of putting the blame on women intead of punishing men for what they do. Women have all the right to dress as less as they like (ofcourse as long it doesn't violate the law) and they also have all the damn right to feel safe. Even if women started going around in bikini there should be no reason whatsoever for a man to bother them. Hot weather, purfume, blah blah blah.. Let's face it we (men) are animal, but we also willpower for crying out loud.
Farmboy at 01:02 PM JST - 9th August

So tanned, sweaty, listless women create a desire in men to shoot videos with hidden cameras? Gosh, you can learn a lot reading these things... I had no idea...

In fact, I haven't shot any videos with hidden cameras. Should I see a doctor? Do I need vitamins?
the_sicilian at 08:31 PM JST - 9th August

What my daddy always said (however in German) "Get your appetite outdoors, but always eat at home"

Sehr Schoen.....I like that.....

The article is a bit on the tabloid side, so not much to think about.

Addiu
helloklitty at 05:48 AM JST - 14th August

U.S.-educated psychologist and author Joji Suzuki ...

so Joji's opinion is based on research, not something his grandmother whispered in his ear? Not sure what we are supposed to think of this description.
BlackTieAffair at 04:47 PM JST - 18th August

If you ski on your own pond....you don't hit any stumps. I think the article take the childish side view as a cop out. The bottom line is that men and women need to learn how to look and not touch.
koroke at 02:14 AM JST - 19th August

aaaah nothing like the gift of evolution--sex
ObviousDemon at 11:13 AM JST - 24th August

As always in Japan,.....consequences are sorely lacking. Over generations, the original rules have been lost, until now, the youngsters...boys AND girls, don't even KNOW that its wrong.

In the west, we would break your fingers if you touched our CARS.....let alone our woman-folk!