I was shocked to see someone hitting on one of the respondents.

I’m Taro, a male member. The phrase “wearing clothes that leave her breasts completely exposed” reminded me of some song lyrics: “Oh, Pierre, honestly—showing that thing completely off in a place like this♪” Sorry about that. Being hit on is unpleasant, isn’t it? I feel the same way. Though I’ve never experienced it, so I wouldn’t really know. Come to think of it, I wonder if Mr. Misawa in Shibuya is still around.

I’m Nana Ayase, a female member. Those pickup guys approach people and keep pestering anyone who responds. It’s not because you’re especially pretty—they’ll go after anyone. So please ignore them and don’t react.

Maezawa from the President’s Office here. In places like Shinjuku, there are scouts approaching women while pretending to be picking them up. Basically, it seems like they approach almost anyone at random—someone they make eye contact with, or someone who happens to walk near them. That said, I’ve heard that experienced scouts sometimes look at a woman’s shoes, so I guess each person has their own particular know-how. If you don’t want to be approached, you could probably silently hold up your palm toward them just before they say their first words, like a “no, thank you” gesture, and they might back off. Would that be too difficult?

I’m Shingo Lee (“Shingori”), a male member. You mean me, right? There are several kinds of pickup attempts, and I believe you’re saying that you find street pickups—being approached on the street—annoying. Basically, everyone who does street pickups is a cockroach of a human being, so I apologize on their behalf. In extreme terms, people who pick others up approach anyone and everyone, so avoiding them completely is pretty difficult. I think the following methods are effective: 1. Don’t go to places where you’re likely to be approached. 2. Ignore them even if they speak to you. 3. Avoid areas known for aggressive pickup attempts. 1. The more people they approach, the better, so numbers are everything. Conversely, they usually don’t approach people in areas with little foot traffic. Even on busy streets, they generally won’t go down a side street if it’s less crowded. Changing your usual routes should significantly reduce the number of times you’re approached. 2. Ignore them even if they speak to you. If you engage in conversation, they’ll keep talking to you, so try to empty your mind and ignore them for about 30 seconds. They’ll probably leave before then. 3. Avoid areas known for aggressive pickup attempts. Pickup attempts themselves are annoying, but most people stay just within the limits of what’s legally permissible. However, there are areas where particularly aggressive behavior—such as touching people or blocking their way—is common. Please avoid those places. In Tokyo, I’d recommend avoiding walking alone around areas like Kabukicho in Shinjuku or Shibuya Center Street. I sincerely hope you won’t be subjected to any more bothersome approaches.

I’m in Seattle. Shingori is incredible. Is it his courage? His smooth talk? His looks? I could never do that, not even if I lived to be a hundred. Though I’m practically half-dead already.