Tokyo police appeal to public to help stop train gropers
Tokyo police have appealed to the public for help to stop the problem of groping in trains and other places at an event near the capital's Shibuya Station.
Police have set June 1 to 15 as a period for a campaign to tackle the problem ahead of the summer when molestation cases tend to increase.
Last year, police uncovered 725 groping cases in Tokyo. More than 70 percent of these took place inside trains or stations. Police says many victims find it difficult to seek help because they are afraid, among other reasons.
The event organizers explained how to use an anti-groping smartphone app developed by the Tokyo police. The Digi Police app can display a message asking other people for help and blast a voice telling the molester to stop.
Flyers were also distributed to commuters and passersby. They call on people to offer help if they spot any potential victims.
Actress Imoto Ayaka is encouraging people to download the app. She says the app is easy to use even when it's difficult for victims to raise their voices.
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