Shachihata Inc. announces its plan to develop an anti-groper stamp on Twitter. (From Shachihata Inc.’s official Twitter account)

NAGOYA--A name stamp producer here is taking an unconventional approach to the problem of train groping: a seal that imprints the word "chikan," or groper, on a perpetrator's hand.

Shachihata Inc., known for its easy-to-use name stamps that serve as substitutes for traditional seals, came up with the idea after a viral tweet on the issue, stating, "I was advised to sting a groper with a safety pin."

The message, posted in mid-May, received a flood of replies for and against such a recourse, with one saying, "That would work as a deterrent."

Another insisted that using a pin to sting an alleged perpetrator was too extreme. Some yearned for an anti-groper stamp instead of a pin.

Stimulated by the controversy, Shachihata declared on its official Twitter account on May 22 that it "will take a countermeasure (against 'chikan') as swiftly as possible," adding that it is "serious, not joking."

The company posted a follow-up message on May 27, saying, "While the first product will be similar to our conventional name stamps, it will take shape in phases."

It also stated in the tweet that "The ultimate goal is to help eradicate this social problem (of train groping), leading to a world where self-defense items are unnecessary."

Referring to the firm's plan to develop an anti-groper stamp, a public relations official said, "We'll consider developing and marketing the product as soon as possible based on our current technology."