A new device aimed at tackling sexual harassment on crowded trains and public transport has sold out just half an hour after it went on sale in Japan.

The “anti-groping” stamps, manufactured by stamp-maker Shachihata Inc., allow victims of harassment to mark their assailants with invisible ink, and also provide a deterrent to would-be attackers.

A limited run of 500 stamps, which retailed at 2,500 yen (US$23.5), sold out within 30 minutes of going on sale Tuesday, a company spokesman said. When used, the stamp leaves the mark of an open palm which can only be seen under ultraviolet light. The mark is not visible under sunlight, making it very discreet in public, and is quick to use as there is no lid.

A light which is included with the stamp can be used to reveal the 9-millimeter stamp and the mark can be washed off.

Buyers of the product also get a strap which can be attached to bags and show to others that they have the stamp on them.

In May, Shachihata said it would develop the stamp after discussions erupted on social networking sites about how to discourage groping on crowded trains. One social media user suggested pricking the offender’s hands with a safety pin, while others pointed out that this could be a crime in itself.

Others suggested stamps could be used to mark and shame offenders. Shachihata, a well-known stamp maker in Japan, hinted it might be able to help to develop the product, and after three months the company revealed trial sales for its first model.

A spokesman for the company told the Japan Times that after the trial sale, the company plans to adapt the product based on feedback. In a series of posts made on the company’s Twitter account Shachihata said the stamp was just a “small step.”

They said, “The most ideal would be a world free of sexual crimes. This is a small step. We will continue to think of ways to contribute to society.”

Yayoi Matsunaga, head of the Osaka-based Chikan Yokushi Katsudo Center (Groping Prevention Activities Center), said the release of an anti-groping product “should have a big impact on society, which could lead to deterrence.”

Words to Learn 相关词汇

【攻击者】gōngjīzhě assailant a person who physically attacks another

【威慑】wēishè deterrent something that prevents or discourages from acting

日本最近推出一款神器,旨在解决拥挤的火车和公共交通上的性骚扰问题，该产品公开发售仅半个小时后就销售一空。

这种 “防狼印章”由印章制造商日本旗牌有限公司生产，让性骚扰受害者可以用隐形墨水在侵犯者身上做记号，同时也对潜在的性骚扰者起到威慑作用。

该公司一名发言人说，这种印章限量发行500枚，零售价为2500日元（约23.5美元），8月27日发售后半小时内就售罄了。

使用时，印章会留下五指伸开的手掌形印记，只有在紫外线下才能看到。这种印记在阳光下是看不见的，使之在公共场合非常隐蔽，而且由于没有盖子，可以快速使用。

印章上还有一个小灯，可以让9毫米大小的印记“现身”，印记也可以洗去。

购买者还可以得到一条系在包上的带子，以示自己携带有这种印章。

今年5月，日本社交网站上掀起了一场关于如何阻止拥挤火车上性骚扰的讨论，随后该公司表示将开发“防狼印章”。

一名社交媒体用户建议用安全别针扎侵犯者的手，其他人则指出这本身可能也是犯罪行为。

还有一些人认为，可以用印章来标记和羞辱侵犯者。著名印章制造商日本旗牌有限公司表示有意向开发这款产品。三个月后，该公司试行发售了首款”防狼印章”。

该公司的一位发言人告诉《日本时报》，公司计划在试销后根据反馈调整产品。

防狼印章推出后，受到很多人的欢迎，但也有一些国内网友感觉用处不大，还可能造成一些“冤假错案”。该公司在一系列推文中表示，“防狼印章”只是“一小步”。其中说道：

“最理想的状态是杜绝性犯罪。这只是一小步。我们将继续努力为社会做贡献。”

总部位于大阪的反性骚扰活动中心负责人松永弥生说，一款防性骚扰产品的发布“会对社会产生很大影响，可能会产生威慑作用”。 (chinadaily.com.cn)