Safety fears as Japanese ‘tight men’ in silicone body suits morph into ‘women’ in public

TOKYO: A phenomenon has emerged in Japan which involves males labelled as “tight men” who wear silicone bodysuits and lifelike masks to look like women in public spaces.

The trend has sparked concerns about the safety of real women.

Online sources suggest that their outfits are likely inspired by Animegao Kigurumi, a masked cosplay style rooted in Japanese anime culture.

Animegao Kigurumi enthusiasts typically wear bodysuits and anthropomorphic masks to more accurately portray their favourite anime characters.

In February, a video went viral on X showing a person dressed in a silicone bodysuit with a female-look mask, sitting on the subway.

TikTok influencers conducting street interviews in the city also noticed the person occasionally walking by and looking into their cameras.

On April 21, an internet user, nicknamed Kawaso, posted on Togetter, a Japanese online forum, revealing that the “woman” was actually a man wearing female clothing.

“He deliberately sat in crowded areas with many women, positioning his body towards them. Even though I was sitting a bit far away, I felt scared,” Kawaso wrote.

Kawaso also claimed to have reported the matter to the police, but no action was taken.

Another internet user, @natsoiku, said these “tight men” are often seen at the Shibuya subway station and around Shinjuku in Tokyo.

Some wear full-body black tights with masks devoid of facial features.

The Japanese media has dubbed them “tight men”, a reference to the fact that they dress in tightfitting body suits.

One infamous figure in this group, known as Rin, publicly admitted on a live-stream that he is biologically male. He has repeatedly entered women’s restrooms wearing bodysuits and masks, asking strangers for photos, Japan’s Kangnam Times reported.

He claimed his actions satisfied personal desires but denied causing harm.

An anonymous young woman shared on X her encounter with Rin, saying she had no choice but to comply with his request for a photo.

“I was scared at that time, and I did not know what would happen if I refused,” she wrote.

Unlawful entry into a women’s restroom carries a maximum penalty of up to three years in prison or a fine of up to 100,000 yen (US$650) in Japan. There are currently no reports of Rin being arrested by the authorities.

Yuichi Sato, a representative of Japan’s Suspicious Persons Information Centre, said that because the group was identified mainly by their outfits, tracing them based on appearance alone is challenging.

In Japan, it is only illegal when someone conceals their identity for crimes.

Although no criminal behaviour linked to the group has been reported, their presence continues to arouse public safety concerns.

One online observer said: “You never know who is watching you from behind the mask. The very thought of it sends chills down my spine.”