12/14/2005

Forensic investigations zero in on gropers
OSAKA:….Police investigators are using a technique to lift tiny traces of fabric fibers from a suspect’s palm and match them with the victim’s clothes. The evidence is so hard to refute that at least one suspect who was confronted with it retracted his denial and confessed on the spot….. <big snip> ….Now acquittals are on the decline again. “When police investigate a molestation case, they have already made up their minds as to the suspect’s guilt, based on the victim’s complaint,” a network official said. “They come in with a ‘You did it, didn’t you?’ stance.

There are many “standard” questions that all Japanese are required by law to ask foreigners. Somewhere hidden on their person, all Japanese people have this list of standard question they must ask when confronted with an alien.
“Where are you from?” (Asked on a train platform or a public bathroom)
“Can you use chopsticks?” (Asked while you are eating with chopsticks)
“Do you like sushi? ” (Asked while you are eating sushi)
“Where are you going?” (Asked as you leave your apartment building at 8am every workday)
And my favorite…
“What is your hobby?” (Asked at random in relation to nothing)

I always have answered, “CHIKAN desu.” (I’m a molester). Not one Japanese person female or male in my 20 odd years here has balked at me saying that being a molester was my hobby. Everybody thought it was a normal hobby and took me seriously. Sheesh.

Refer to the previous 3Yen report: Groping, Tokyo’s favorite pastime on the trains