A young girl is knocked over at Tokyo crossing – what’s behind Japan’s ‘bumping’ trend?

Viral video of girl being shoved by fellow pedestrian has reignited debate over butsukari - with experts blaming stress and gender dynamics

It starts out as a heartwarming clip. A young girl, clearly delighted to be in Tokyo, beams as she makes a peace sign to the camera. Seconds later, she is shoved to the ground from behind by a woman wearing a surgical mask. The assailant doesn't skip a beat, striding out of shot of the clip filmed by the girl's mother.

This was no accidental clash of shoulders in a crowded place, but one of the most visible examples of a spate of butsukari otoko - bumping man" - shoving incidents in Japan that experts attribute to a combination of gender dynamics and the stresses of modern life.