Press "Enter" to skip to content

Japan police nab ‘nipple man’ for flashing high school girls

Photos uploaded to social media showing 'nipple man'
Photos uploaded to social media showing ‘nipple man’ (Sankei Shimbun)

KYOTO (TR) – A male Shiga Prefecture city official known online as the “nipple man” was arrested on Sunday for allegedly flashing high school girls on a train, drawing shock and ire from the mayor of his city.

Kyoto Prefectural Police arrested Toshihiro Fujikuma, 33, a case worker at the social welfare section of the Health and Welfare Department in Ritto City, Shiga Prefecture, on suspicion of indecent exposure for allegedly exposing the lower half of his body to two 16-year-old high school girls in a train on the Kintetsu Kyoto Line on May 21, the Sankei Shimbun reports (June 08).

Nippon News Network reported that Fujikuma admitted to the charges, telling police he “was stressed and had sexual motivations.”

Fujikuma shot to notoriety online as “nipple man” for being spotted and photographed numerous times feeling his chest while looking at women on trains.

Masahiro Nomura, the mayor of Ritto, told reporters at a press conference on Wednesday he “can’t hide just how shocked I am, for a city official to lose trust through this horrible act.”

“I’d like to deeply apologize to our citizens, and will strive to restore trust as well as deliver strict punishment,” said Nomura, who appeared to be at a loss for words.

“He was meticulous”

According to Ritto City officials, Fujikuma was hired in April 2009. He was then assigned in April 2014 to the social welfare section as a case worker providing consultations for welfare recipients.

“He was serious about his work and carried out his duties properly,” Ritto City officials said at the press conference. “Even on his lunch breaks, he would provide consultations with citizens. He was meticulous.”

Officials went on to say there were “no signs” suggesting Fujikuma would commit crimes, despite his reputation online as the “nipple man.”

Police became aware of Fujikuma after the high school girls told their families about his alleged indecent exposure.

Officers tracked down Fujikuma using leads like images uploaded online, which clearly showed his face.

According to Mainichi Broadcasting System, authorities also received a string of reports from women in April that a man groped their breasts.