TOKYO - A woman was fatally stabbed multiple times by a stranger in the elevator of an apartment building in Kobe in August, triggering a surge of discussion online about personal self-defense products.
On social media, some posts urged women to carry pepper spray at all times, with one viral message saying, "Even just holding it in your hand when someone enters an elevator makes you feel safer. I want every woman to carry one." The post quickly spread, prompting responses such as, "Pepper spray is the best way to defend yourself," "Even if it’s legally questionable, it’s better than being killed," and "To be honest, I already carry it."
Pepper spray is among the most common self-defense tools, designed to temporarily blind and immobilize an attacker. On the streets, some women said, "Carrying it makes me feel safer," while others admitted they were considering buying one after reading online warnings that "things are getting more dangerous." Several said they would be more inclined to use it if schools or communities offered training sessions.
At Akihabara’s self-defense goods retailer Akiba Garage, manager Ryuta Suzuki said demand is rising sharply. "It used to be about 100 to 150 purchases per month. That number has now doubled," he explained. Sales of self-defense items are growing across the board, with sprays selling more than twice as much as before. Lipstick-shaped pepper sprays, popular among women, are currently sold out. Suzuki added, "Most buyers are women, but men also purchase them as gifts for daughters or family members."
However, legal questions remain. Attorney Ayase Masaki of Your Ace Law Firm said, "If someone had experienced danger on a dark street before and carried pepper spray for protection, it might be seen as having a legitimate reason. But depending on the circumstances, it could still be judged as unjustified. People need to be cautious." There are no clear legal provisions, but carrying pepper spray without being able to explain the reason may expose users to legal risk.
Other self-defense measures are also gaining attention. People on the streets said they try to stick to well-lit roads, walk while pretending to talk on their phone, or even sing loudly when frightened. Some share their location data with family members.
According to Suzuki, alarms are effective in drawing attention when few people are around, while flashlights with a blinding effect can help buy time to escape. Experts suggest that combining defensive items with everyday safety strategies may serve as an effective deterrent against potential threats.
Source: FNN
