If You’re Spotted—Gyaru or Schoolchild—You Get a “Shoulder Bump”: The “Butsukari Tribe,” Now a Social Issue [Sunday Japanese Culture]

Deliberate Collisions in Crowded Places
Women, Elderly, and Children—Especially Those Who Are Smaller—Often Targeted
Man in His 60s Arrested for Knocking Down an Elementary School Student

Last week, I introduced Japan's gyaru culture and the idol group that ignited the gyaru boom. Recently, while these idol members were filming in Tokyo dressed in gyaru style, they were almost victims of what is known as a “shoulder bump” incident. During a shoot at Shibuya Scramble, footage emerged of a man deliberately changing direction to approach as if to bump into them, sparking controversy. Concerns were raised in Japan as well, with some wondering if the group had encountered a typical “Butsukari Otoko (male).”

A male deliberately brushes past Minami (center), a member of the idol group Lysenne. This sparked controversy over whether it was a case of 'bootsukari otoko'. YouTube.

This issue does not feel distant to me, as I have experienced something similar in Japan myself. I used to think, “If I ever meet someone like that, I’ll follow and confront them.” But when it actually happened, all such thoughts disappeared. Since then, whenever I’m at a subway station or in a crowded place, I keep my eyes fixed straight ahead so I can avoid anyone who might try to bump into me. Of course, there’s really no way to prevent someone who is determined to collide with others.

I thought this might not be appropriate to include in a segment introducing Japanese culture, but I decided to address it because victims are sometimes sharply criticized with remarks like, “Didn’t you do something wrong to provoke the other person?” There was also a related incident this week. So this week, I want to talk about the “Butsukari Tribe,” which has emerged as a new problem in Japan.

First, Korean media have referred to this phenomenon as “Butsukari (ぶつかり),” which is the noun form of the Japanese verb “butsukaru,” meaning “to bump into.” However, in Japan, it is not usually used alone; it’s common to add a word referring to a person after “butsukari.”

For example, if the perpetrator is a man, terms like “otoko (male)” or “ojisan (middle-aged man)” are added, resulting in “Butsukari Otoko” or “Butsukari Ojisan.” If it’s a woman, it becomes “Butsukari Onna (female)” or “Butsukari Obasan (middle-aged woman).” Japanese media sometimes collectively refer to them as the “Butsukari Tribe.” In this article, I will also refer to them as the Butsukari Tribe.

The Butsukari Tribe is characterized by intentionally bumping into people passing by in crowded places such as train stations, busy streets, and crosswalks. They often target individuals who appear physically smaller, such as women and children.

A graphic reenactment of the crime scene involving a man in his 60s from the Butskari tribe, who was arrested on the 18th in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan. He is shown pushing an elementary school student from behind, causing the child to fall, and then walking past. Nippon Television Network Corporation (Nittere).

On the 18th of this month in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan, a man in his 60s, identified as part of the Butsukari Tribe, was actually arrested. The 64-year-old office worker deliberately rammed into a 7-year-old girl on her way to elementary school from behind, knocking her down and causing abrasions.

According to the police investigation, this man was already notorious in the area as the “Butsukari Ojisan in a black mask.” He would always wear a black mask and knock down children walking on elementary school routes. There had been a similar incident involving another student before this case. The school consulted with the police on how to resolve the situation, and the police apprehended the suspect through a stakeout operation.

Cases involving the Butsukari Tribe continue to be a problem in Japan. Recently, as the number of foreign tourists has increased, these individuals have even begun targeting foreigners. Last year, a Japanese-French influencer in Tokyo’s Shinjuku district filmed and released footage on social media of a Butsukari Tribe member bumping into her and running away, bringing even more attention to the issue. According to Kyodo News, in March, the Chinese Embassy in Japan sent messages to Chinese residents advising them to maintain a safe distance in crowded areas like Shibuya and Osaka’s Dotonbori.

Some have analyzed the behavioral patterns of the Butsukari Tribe. A post on Japanese social media analyzing these patterns recently went viral. The first type is the “pursuer,” who singles out a victim and continuously follows them. Next is the “justice type,” who feels justified in bumping into anyone they believe is obstructing their path. If you think a Butsukari Tribe member stops after one bump, you are mistaken. In such cases, they continue to bump into anyone in their path as they walk. There is also the “disgruntled type,” who bumps into others simply to vent their own anger or stress.

A video of the Butsukari tribe, which was uploaded to a Japanese YouTube channel 8 years ago and spread like wildfire. It caused controversy by bumping into every woman in front of them at a subway station. YouTube screenshot.

So, why do they engage in this behavior? Experts analyze it as a form of “attacking the vulnerable.” Criminal psychologist Masayuki Kiryu, a professor at Toyo University, explained in an interview with Toyo Keizai that these individuals often vent their dissatisfaction with society and reality on those who appear weaker, such as women, the elderly, or children. He also pointed out that members of the Butsukari Tribe tend to avoid those who appear strong. He likened this to the psychology of reckless drivers who avoid cars that seem dangerous to them.

Another expert, Daisuke Tanaka, a professor at Nihon Joshi University, noted that the Butsukari Tribe tends to appear in environments like subway stations that make it easy to escape. Busy areas with complex traffic flow allow perpetrators to disappear into the crowd immediately after an incident, making it easier to get away with their actions.

In reality, many victims are unable to identify the perpetrator and often give up on reporting the incident. Experts point out that this is why Butsukari acts are repeated, much like hit-and-run cases. If such an incident occurs, it’s advisable to at least record the suspect’s back on camera and report it to station staff or relevant authorities at the location, rather than seeking personal revenge.

Deliberately bumping into someone is not an issue unique to Japan. However, as arrests and criminal charges have begun to occur, it has become a social problem. Japanese railway companies have even decided to classify the acts of the Butsukari Tribe as prosecutable public nuisance offenses. Given that such acts are rooted in social dissatisfaction and aggression toward the vulnerable, it is not something to be taken lightly.

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