On social media and forums in Japan, a topic recently sparked discussion: the concept of “男女平等パンチ” (danjo byodo punch, or “gender equality punch”). This expression gained attention after an incident captured on video went viral, where a woman in Shibuya slaps a man and he responds with a strong blow that makes her fall unconscious to the ground. The term has been used to justify men's actions under the premise that gender equality implies not showing leniency towards gender differences in cases of physical conflict.

The article that has trended on forums explores the background and implications of this concept. The author of the article expresses surprise and dismay at discovering words like “男女平等パンチ” and “ひととき融資” (hitotoki yuushi, or “momentary loan”), which reflect troubling attitudes toward gender relations in modern society. The phrase “男女平等パンチ/gender equality strike” is used to describe the idea that “true gender equality means that men should not shy away from physical retaliation, even if the opponent is a woman.”

The video that popularized the term shows a disturbing moment: After being slapped, the man hits the woman so hard that she falls and becomes unconscious. The man, after briefly lifting her off the ground, drops her again, hitting her head on the ground. This incident not only sparked debate about the man's reaction, but also about the responsibility of those who filmed the event instead of intervening.

The article argues that the use of the phrase “男女平等パンチ/gender equality coup” and the acceptance of this action as fair or equitable are deeply problematic. It should be noted that true gender equality does not consist in equalizing physical capacity, but in recognizing and respecting inherent differences, especially in terms of physical strength and its consequences. The author emphasizes that the notion of “equality” must be contextualized and cannot be used to justify disproportionate or unjustified violence.

The article also criticizes the mentality underlying this expression, describing it as a mixture of malice towards women and a desire to “teach them a lesson” or “make them understand.”. This phenomenon is seen as a disturbing manifestation of how some individuals in society They see gender equality not as a matter of shared rights and responsibilities, but as an excuse to exert dominance or revenge..

The controversy generated a wave of comments and reflections online, with users expressing different opinions:

• «So does this mean that men should remain silent and allow themselves to be beaten by women?».
• «Is it normal for men to hit? They don't seem to understand anything».
• «It is important to respect each other. We are all different and these differences are important. If they were not, it would be a blow to everyone.».
• «What if someone is transgender and identifies as a woman?».
• «But it was the woman who initiated the violence, right?».
• «Well, if we talk about this particular case, it was the woman's fault for hitting first.».
• «It's not about not hitting women, it's about not hitting anyone, man or woman. Why do you focus on not hitting women?».
• «No wonder feminism doesn't spread».
• «So does that mean it's okay for men to get spanked?».
• «Gender equality is a revolutionary thought. The attack and violence of those considered inferior to those considered superior is seen as a path to equality and liberation.».
• «Shouldn't feminism seek equal rights regardless of gender? Wouldn't it be sexist not to hit a woman simply because she is a woman?».
• «Well, actually, this idiot was arrested for excessive self-defense.».
• «There aren't many men who want to hit a woman; only a few sadists get a kick out of it.».
• «In Chinese movies, if a male character says that women should not be assaulted, the female character responds that men should not be assaulted either. Japan is no longer a civilized country».
• «If women use the excuse that they can't get hit just because they are women to do whatever they want, at some point it will be necessary to show them that this is not the case.».
• «Feminism is actually a pro-women approach and opposes gender equality. The tricky part is that feminists often present the pursuit of benefits for women as “gender equality,” which is a fallacy.».

Source: Yaraon!