[Sportschosun reporter Jang Jong-ho] Three people, including a woman and two men, were arrested by police after luring passersby in a busy district of Tokyo to touch the woman's chest and then filming the act for posting on social media.
According to Japanese media outlets, including Nippon TV, police recently sent the three suspects, a 27-year-old woman and two men aged 37 and 31, to prosecutors on charges including disturbing public order.
The group was found to have induced inappropriate physical contact from about 40 passersby on a street in Shibuya, Tokyo, and recorded the scenes.
The arrested woman approached passersby with her face covered and a cardboard box pulled over her upper body. Inside, she was wearing clothing that exposed her chest. Investigators said one of the men in the group then encouraged people to take part by asking something to the effect of, "What do you think is inside the box?"
Another man filmed passersby touching the woman's chest inside the box, and the video was later posted on SNS.
Investigators believe the video drew major attention online, generating about 2 million yen, or roughly 19 million won, through advertising and view-based revenue.
During questioning, the suspects reportedly admitted to the charges. They told police that they thought they could make more money if the content went viral.
In Japan, provocative content aimed at boosting SNS views and monetization has recently emerged as a social problem. Local voices are calling for stronger regulations on inappropriate filming in public places and so-called "viral content" that causes discomfort to others.
Meanwhile, a similar case had previously occurred in South Korea.
In 2023, a woman in her 20s who wore a cardboard box instead of a top and encouraged passersby to touch her body in the Hongdae area of Mapo-gu, Seoul, as well as in Apgujeong-dong, Gangnam-gu, and two men who helped her, were indicted.
Jang Jong-ho, bellho@sportschosun.com
