USA: Victims of Violence on the Subway in New York City

Recent incidents have occurred involving Japanese nationals suffering from violence on the subway in the area under our jurisdiction.

Please exercise caution when using the subway, regardless of time or location.

1. Recent Reports of Incidents (2023):

1. Philadelphia: In late April, around 6:30 PM, a Japanese family of four disembarked at the 15th St. Station adjacent to Philadelphia City Hall and was heading towards the escalator while pushing a stroller. A group of four men at the edge of the platform approached them, used discriminatory language, and one of them threw a bag of candy at the father pushing the stroller. Another man threw an open milk bottle, causing the mother, who was holding hands with her child, to be splashed with milk. Unfortunately, suspects have not been identified.
2. New York City: In mid-April, around 7:00 PM, a Japanese woman on her way home boarded a subway train from downtown to Brooklyn. As the train was approaching Dekalb Avenue station, a man seated across from her approached and stood immediately to her left. Despite feeling uneasy, she ignored him and looked at her phone, but the man punched her near her left eye with his right elbow. The man, showing no remorse, claimed, “It’s the train’s fault,” and then exited the train. The victim experienced swelling and blurred vision and received first aid from an ambulance.
3. New York City: In late March, around 6:00 PM, a Japanese man who had watched an NBA game was attacked by two men from behind as he descended the stairs at Fulton Street Station after the game. He was repeatedly struck on the head and had his passport, cash, credit cards, and driver’s license stolen. He lost consciousness but was taken to the hospital by responding police officers. The victim sustained facial injuries, bleeding, and temporary memory loss.

2. Observations:

• Cases (1) and (2) did not show prior signs of trouble, suggesting they may be hate crimes (criminal acts with malice or prejudice) or hate incidents (acts of prejudice without criminal intent). Case (3) might have been a targeted robbery. Common points include:
  • Occurring in the evening.
  • Presence of other people.
  • No prior signs of conflict, suggesting sudden, unprovoked incidents.
  • Victims targeted by chance.
  • Incidents occurred in confined spaces where escaping was difficult.
  • Unexpected events leading to immediate, shocked reactions.

Victims of such incidents may experience fear of using the subway or lower self-esteem. If you suffer significant physical or psychological harm, promptly report it to the police (911). Japanese language interpreter services are available, and victim support and mental health care are provided.

3. Safety Precautions:

• Violence on subways is a serious issue, and perpetrators may carry weapons like guns or knives. FBI statistics indicate that hate crimes often occur in familiar places like homes, schools, sidewalks, parking lots, and transportation terminals. In confined spaces like subway stations and trains, minor conflicts can escalate quickly. Stay vigilant and practice safety measures to avoid becoming a victim.

4. Recommendations for Japanese Residents: To avoid similar incidents, consider the following measures and share them with your family and acquaintances:

• General Precautions:
  • Always be aware of your surroundings and be prepared to act quickly if needed.
  • Remove headphones while moving through stations or standing on platforms.
  • Stay aware of your safety when using your phone.
  • Be cautious when purchasing tickets and keep an eye on your surroundings.
  • Use a MetroCard in advance for quicker access.
  • Avoid wearing conspicuous jewelry or making attention-grabbing actions.
• When Boarding:
  • Avoid cars with few passengers.
  • Travel with others if possible.
  • Check for the presence of station staff or police and stay near them.
  • Be aware of suspicious behavior and move away if necessary.
  • Stand with your back to the wall while waiting on the platform.
  • Board trains near the escalator or exit.
  • Avoid leaning over the platform edge.
  • Sit away from doors to prevent snatch theft.
  • In the evening or when few people are around, stay near the “train crew” car.
• Onboard Safety:
  • Keep valuable items out of sight.
  • Carry backpacks in front of you.
  • Do not sleep on the train.
  • If you feel unsafe, exit at the next station or where many people are getting off.
  • Avoid making eye contact with people exhibiting unusual behavior, but keep an eye on them.
  • Know the location of emergency intercoms on the train.
• If You Spot Suspicious Individuals:
  • Move quickly to a safer location.
  • Observe the individual’s movements without staring.
  • If harassed verbally, ignore it.
  • Do not provoke or confront aggressors and seek help from others if needed.