Japan's 'tight men' don bodysuits & masks to mimic women, triggering safety concerns

A new phenomenon sweeping Japan, involving men donning silicone bodysuits and lifelike female masks, has raised significant public alarm. Dubbed “tight men” by the Japanese media, these individuals wear form-fitting bodysuits and feminine masks, often adopting behaviours that, according to eyewitnesses, feel intrusive and unsettling.

Their presence, especially in public spaces such as subways and popular city centers like Shibuya and Shinjuku, has led many to question their intentions and potential impact on public safety.

The trend appears inspired by ‘Animegao Kigurumi’, a cosplay style rooted in Japanese anime culture, where enthusiasts wear bodysuits and anthropomorphic masks to mimic anime characters. However, the application of this style by “tight men” in everyday settings has fuelled controversy.

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A guy disguised as a women with female mask. pic.twitter.com/h8iHKL9aSt (@jik_lt) September 30, 2024

In February, a video went viral on X (formerly Twitter) showing a masked individual in a silicone bodysuit sitting on the subway. Online influencers also reported sightings, with several claiming that these masked individuals lingered near crowds, occasionally approaching passersby.

One internet user, Kawaso, shared a chilling encounter on the Japanese forum ‘Togette’, recounting how he noticed a supposed “woman” seated in a crowded area, South China Morning Post reported.

Viral footage from Japan shows a man dressed "as a woman" detained by railway staff on accusations of groping female train passengers.
It has been said he rode in a women-only carriage.The incident occurred last June and press failed to report on it. pic.twitter.com/82sE5SPsIy Genevieve Gluck (@WomenReadWomen) July 2, 2023

The person sat in crowded areas with many women, positioning his body towards them, the user Kawaso wrote, adding that he reported the incident to the police but received no response.

Similarly, another user remarked that sightings of these “tight men” are frequent near Shibuya subway station and Shinjuku.

One figure within this group, known as Rin, has come under particular scrutiny. In a live stream, he admitted to being biologically male and disclosed that he has entered women’s restrooms while dressed in a bodysuit and mask, requesting photos from strangers.

“I was scared at that time, and I did not know what would happen if I refused,” one young woman, who encountered Rin, shared on X, describing her discomfort when approached for a photo.

Safety fears as Japan tight men in body suits morph into women in public https://t.co/YB7o5EDwVn South China Morning Post (@SCMPNews) October 30, 2024

Japan’s legal stance on this behaviour is complex. Although the act of concealing one’s identity is not inherently illegal unless linked to criminal intent, entry into women-only spaces is a punishable offense.

Under Japanese law, unlawful entry into a women’s restroom could result in a fine of up to 100,000 yen (approximately Rs 54,000) or even up to three years in prison. However, despite reports against Rin, authorities have yet to take concrete action.

Yuichi Sato, a representative from Japan’s Suspicious Persons Information Centre, acknowledged the public’s discomfort but noted that identifying individuals based solely on their outfits is difficult. He said that “as long as they are not committing crimes, it remains a gray area in terms of legality”, South China Morning Post reported.

Animegao Kigurumi is a distinctive cosplay subculture characterised by enthusiasts wearing full-body suits and highly stylised masks that depict anime characters. This form of expression allows fans to embody their favorite characters in an immersive and visually striking way.

The bodysuits, often made from stretchy materials, are designed to replicate the character's physique and features, while the masks are intricately crafted to achieve a lifelike appearance, capturing the essence of anime art styles.