Quarters optional...

[rita heyworth]

Fighting crime with a Tokyo ruse
<!-- LANDSCAPE IMAGE FOR THE ARTICLE-->
<!-- ARTICLE TOOLBOX -->
Fearing street violence, Japanese designer creates disguise that allows wearer to hide in plain sight
<!-- PUBLISH DATE -->



Oct 22, 2007 04:30 AM
<!-- AUTHOR 1 -->Martin Fackler
<!-- CREDIT 1-->New York Times
<!-- ARTICLE CONTENT-->

TOKYO–On a narrow Tokyo street, near a beef bowl restaurant and a pachinko parlour, Aya Tsukioka demonstrated new clothing designs she hopes will ease Japan's growing fears of crime.

With a deft motion, Tsukioka, a 29-year-old fashion designer, lifted a flap on the front of her skirt to reveal a large sheet of cloth printed in bright red with a soft drink logo partly visible. By holding the sheet fully open and stepping to the side of the road, she showed how a woman walking alone could elude pursuers – by disguising herself as a vending machine.

The wearer hides behind the sheet, which is printed with an actual-size photo of a vending machine. Tsukioka's clothing is still in the developmental stage, but she has already created several versions, including one that unfolds from a kimono and a deluxe model with four sides for more complete camouflaging.

These elaborate defences are coming at a time when crime rates are actually declining in Japan. But the Japanese, attuned to the slightest signs of social fraying, say they feel growing anxiety about safety, fanned by a sensationalist news media. Instead of pepper spray, though, the Japanese are devising a variety of novel solutions, some high-tech, others downright quirky, but all reflecting a uniquely Japanese sensibility.

Take the "manhole bag," a purse that can hide your valuables by unfolding to look like a round sewer cover. Lay it on the street with your wallet still inside, and unwitting thieves are supposed to walk right by, mistaking it for an ordinary manhole. There is also a line of knife-proof high school uniforms made with the same material as Kevlar, and a book with tips for mothers on how to dress even the most modest children like "pseudo-hoodlums" to scare away schoolyard bullies.

The devices' creators concede that some of their ideas may seem far-fetched, especially to crime-hardened Americans. And even some Japanese regard some of the ideas as a tad naive, possibly reflecting the nation's low incidence of actual street crime. Despite media attention on a few sensational cases, Japan's frequency of violent crime remains just one-seventh of America's.

But the devices' creators also argue that Japan's ideas about crime prevention are the product of deeper cultural differences. While Americans want to protect themselves from criminals, or even strike back, the creators say many Japanese favour camouflage and deception, reflecting a culture that abhors self-assertion, even in self-defence.

"It is just easier for Japanese to hide," Tsukioka said. "Making a scene would be too embarrassing." She said her idea of the vending machine disguise was inspired by a trick used by Japan's ancient ninja, who cloaked themselves at night under black blankets.

To be sure, some of these ideas, including the vending machine disguise, have yet to become commercially viable. However, the fact that such ideas were greeted here with straight faces, or even appeared at all, underscores another, less appreciated facet of Japanese society: its fondness for oddball ideas and inventions.

Tsukioka said she chose to make her skirts look like a vending machine because such machines are so common on Japan's streets.

She acknowledged her disguises were experimental and could even be a bit impractical at times, "especially when your hands are shaking."


On a recent afternoon in Tokyo, bystanders stared as Tsukioka unfolded the sheet, which is attached to the front of the skirt. But once she stood behind it, and lined up next to a row of actual vending machines, the printed image proved convincing enough as camouflage that passersby did not seem to notice her.

She said she realized that her ideas might be a bit fanciful. But she said Japan's willingness to indulge the imagination was one of its cultural strengths.

[Prue]

Haha I love it! Wonder what happens when someone stops to put money into the machine.

[ilovemykids]

I was sorta thinking the same thing. hehehe

Neat article Rita!!

[bcteagirl]

Awesome.

ps- You were online and I missed you? Drats!

[crazyindark]

Nice!!

[nagem]

What an interesting concept.I wonder if it will work well for them.Someone might decide to pinch the manhole cover!LOL!