Chikan Undercover Agent Rina V007 Trial Met May 2026

Hiroshi Takeda, Senior Correspondent – The Japan Daily Published: March 26 2026 Overview Tokyo’s Metropolitan Police announced yesterday that the long‑awaited trial of a large‑scale chikan (sexual‑harassment) syndicate will commence at the Tokyo District Court. The case hinges on evidence gathered by an undercover operative known only as “Rina,” whose police code name is V‑007 . According to prosecutors, Rina’s covert work over an 18‑month period was instrumental in identifying more than 30 perpetrators who repeatedly targeted women on commuter trains and subways throughout the Greater Tokyo Area. How the Operation Began In early 2024, the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department (TMPD) launched Operation “Silent Shield,” a joint initiative between the Public Safety Division and the Transport Safety Unit. The goal: infiltrate organized groups that coordinated chikan assaults on rush‑hour commuter lines, an issue that has plagued Japan’s rail system for decades despite public awareness campaigns and “women‑only” cars.