Nearly 70 percent of female senior high school students say they have been sexually molested on trains, according to the results of a survey released by a civic group Sunday.
The group, which was established to campaign against molestation on trains, surveyed 400 female students at two private high schools in Tokyo and received responses from all of them.
According to the survey, 71.6 percent of the students said they have experienced molestation on trains, while 27 percent said they have not.
Asked what steps should be taken to combat train perverts, 40.8 percent recommended heavier punishment, while 28.7 percent suggested women-only coaches and station areas, and 21.2 percent urged the alleviation of rush-hour congestion.
A total of 70.5 percent of the respondents said women-only coaches and areas in stations are "absolutely necessary" or that they would use them if available.