00:00:06 John Daub: I'm right here. You found me. How you doing everybody? In this live stream, I'm going to be talking about a very serious topic, something that's going to be debated a lot in the upcoming years as this new technology evolves on YouTube and other platforms. You can take a smartphone like this and just walk anywhere and bring a story to thousands, tens of thousands of people. That's pretty powerful, but there are risks involved. Right now I'm on the riverside of the Sumida River.

00:00:37 John Daub: Usually when you start a live stream, you do it in advance so people know exactly where you're going to be or the general area. That's one of the great things about live streaming—you can introduce certain places. But I've found over the last couple of years that if you tell people where you're going to be, they come and find you. That's really cool and one of the big exciting things about the Only in Japan Go channel. That's why I made up these cards. I always keep 30 of them now. It says "You found me" right here. If you find me when I'm live streaming, I give you one because it's pretty cool to meet people on mobile live streams.

00:01:38 John Daub: Do I feel threatened? Do I feel there are some dangers involved with live streaming? The answer is yes. Do I ever feel worried about my own personal wellbeing when I'm live streaming? Not really, but I'm always thinking about it in the back of my mind. You're asking somebody who has hitchhiked the entire country of Japan over two months, twice, from south to north and north to south. I get into cars with strangers, but I have a sixth sense where I can meet somebody and get an idea if their intentions are good or not. That's one thing when you're hitchhiking—you see people stop and you can make that decision. But when you're live streaming and somebody comes to you, you can't make that decision; they're there.

00:02:26 John Daub: So is that scary? I'm not really sure, but everybody should be a little bit worried. Because I have a family now—I'm married—I'm thinking about this more than I did two years ago. My family might be worried. My wife might be worried about me meeting strangers on the street all the time, knowing where I am, being somebody with a YouTube following. It's always in the back of my mind. But here's the reason for the live stream: What is stalking? Is it okay to meet up with me? Is that considered stalking? And where's the line? That's what we're gonna discuss.

00:03:17 John Daub: Right there is one of the most unique boats—that's the space boat. This one has a platform on top. Oh, they're setting that up now. If you come to Tokyo, I always recommend riding down the Sumida River. It's such a cool boat. After you get underneath all the bridges, you can stand up on top and watch the bay. So I'm just gonna sit here for a while. This is one of those live streams where you get to look at me instead of me showing you around.

00:03:48 John Daub: Stalking has been a problem in Japan for decades. In 1999, the Shiori Ino case changed the stalking laws. I'll put a link in the description—there's a Wikipedia page too. She felt uncomfortable with her husband, who stalked her for a very long time. She went to the police, but they didn't do much, and she was murdered by the stalker. That reverberated throughout Japan and changed the laws. But those laws were for another era, so in 2017 they revised them again. Stalking is a crime in Japan, but it's hard to know exactly what it is. As the man right there is whistling—doesn't match the topic.

00:04:57 John Daub: I came a little prepared; I've done some research. I'm going to share some things, then give my opinion on the line. If you want to come meet me in a livestream, by all means—I encourage it, I ask you to find me. But not every creator doing mobile livestreams is me. From Nippon.com, the president of NPO Humanity, who counsels accused stalkers, Kobayakawa-san, defines a stalker broadly as anyone who repeatedly initiates unwanted contact with a specific party out of obsessive interest or desire for contact. The spurned lover is the most common type, responsible for most incidents, including the Shiori Ino murder. But it can occur between parent and adult child, or be motivated by animosity.

00:06:28 John Daub: The anti-stalking laws changed in 2017 as a result of another case. Police don't always do a great job with stalking because it's hard to define. The revised law cracks down on stalking via social networking services—a 21st-century solution. This was after Mayu Tomita, a 20-year-old idol singer, was stabbed by a male fan at an event. Japan is reactive to laws; when something bothers society, they change them. Now the laws are stricter. If you have a stalker or someone making you uncomfortable, walk by a koban (police box)—they're on every corner. Call 110, go into a public area like a train station, or take a taxi.

00:08:35 John Daub: I've been stalked. I used to be an English teacher at a big chain, in their podcasts and marketing. People found where I lived and waited for me at my home station repeatedly—more than one. It was creepy. I'd walk past the police station and tell them, "This lady's following me," and they'd go outside and look—that scared her off. It's a very scary situation when it's unwanted. Where's the line with mobile live streaming? I've had creepy interactions, but I don't think they're malicious. 99.99% are positive—you're talking to somebody who hitchhikes. But I'm prepared for anything, though you can't be prepared for everything. I livestream in public places, not too late at night—except midnight snack runs. Kanae Daub is worried about me, probably more than I am. I always see the best in people; that might be a weakness, but it's opened doors.

00:10:42 John Daub: I think what I do is very public—you can't be private and have your face out there expecting people to ignore you. I'm happy when people say hi or ask for a selfie—it's humbling and warm. But not everybody is socially friendly. You can't tell people to go away in a live stream. If someone is stalking or following without saying hi, even if visible behind in the stream, it's creepy. Everybody watching thinks you're creepy too. If you wanna find me, come say hi—do it normal. With 500 people watching, it's rude not to. If you're following without being sociable, it's uncomfortable. We've had that; after the stream, I talk to them and it's okay—but don't lurk in the shot looking like a stalker.

00:13:54 John Daub: What's your take on this topic? I love meeting and talking with everybody—that's how I can livestream for 90 minutes without feeling alone. We had a famous YouTuber murdered by a fan. Hikakin had fans find his Roppongi address, ringing his door and yelling. That's why I don't give out my address or stream around my house. Japan doesn't have PO boxes, so it's hard for fan mail. I'm on an island right now—hang in there, I'll take questions. David Kimura, coffee or tea? Thanks, David—I'll get something for Kanae Daub. The Skytree is right there; that bridge is Eitaibashi, just renovated with glowing lights. The Sumida River has a beautification project done for the Olympics—beautiful now.

00:16:41 John Daub: Is Tokyo cold anymore? It's chilly, like Virginia or Washington, DC—snow melts next day. Sendai is like Boston. Does YouTube give guidelines on stalkers? Not yet; it's new. I take precautions: public areas, keep distance from awkward people. I carry a backup phone with another carrier in case Docomo fails—this one's for streaming. I'm prepared for almost anything. Smaller meetups are more personable, but I like large groups too—comfortable one-on-one or in crowds. I always find common ground; no awkward silences.

00:19:34 John Daub: Do American military bases have good relations with Japanese people? Yokosuka does—they have friendship days, contribute to the economy. After the 2011 tsunami, US military helped a lot. Older generations remember the kind US occupation post-WWII that set up democracy. America and Japan will always be close. In the 60s-70s, they loved American culture—Hawaii is Japan's top tourist spot. Will this discourage meetups? No, but time is an issue. I'd like a boat rental on the Sumida River in April for cherry blossoms—cool even if rainy.

00:21:32 John Daub: That bird's stalking me! Hey! I'm streaming—stop watching! If you dare do something, I'll remember your face. All right, we're good. You gotta take precautions. That's Toby's cousin, the pigeon—Toby (crow) attacks pigeons, like near Shibuya Park. Bucho (部長，departmental head) is like a vice president—bu (部，department), cho (長，leader). I don't think it'll discourage meetups; maybe a boat one. There's always risk in mobile live streaming—that's exciting, but something could happen. Stalking is over time; making uncomfortable doesn't make you a stalker. If you come meet me, do it normally—we want to talk, not see lurkers.

00:25:35 John Daub: Pepper spray is illegal in Japan—don't bring it, nor pocket knives (must be cased). Carry a whistle or phone alarm to draw attention. Yell "fire" not "help" to get response—in Japan, tasukete kudasai (助けてください，please help me) or 110. Koban (交番，police box) are everywhere with red lights. Privacy laws: don't focus on faces or snipe photos without permission—Japanese iPhones have mandatory shutter sound. Always ask politely, especially for kids. No stalking is acceptable—recent case of 30-year-old man stalking 10-year-old girl because "she was beautiful." Stalkers have a different reality.

00:33:40 John Daub: Japan is safe comparatively, but crime happens. I feel safe at midnight, but always aware—looking over shoulder for cars, drunk bikers (bikes belong on roads, not sidewalks; need insurance—see my stickers). If you see me, come find me—I've invited you—but say hi; lurking is creepy. Respect the community; you're part of the series. To stay safe live streaming: umbrella, mask, jacket, extra batteries. Focus on environment, not just screen—don't walk blindly into poles or people.

00:37:52 John Daub: Foreign women get attention for exoticness, but so do foreign men from Japanese women—perceived beauty. Stalkers see different realities. I want to meet everybody; you know me more than I know you, so I ask questions. It's serious—leave comments. A man died live streaming off Mount Fuji off-season on Nico Nico Douga; focus on environment to avoid laws prohibiting walking livestreams. Read the air (kuuki wo yomu, 空気を読む)—don't disrupt. This island is Shinkawa, Tokyo's first reclaimed island from Edo period—neat restaurants, near Hachobori Station.

00:44:16 John Daub: Gaijin Hunter, have you been hunted? I've been stalked—it was scary, a student following me home. School ignored it for business; I'd walk to koban. Real stalkers think differently—innocent can turn bad. Record them, document with police—they're better now. Tourist safety video coming. Learn cane fighting if needed. It's about family and community now—Kanae worries. I announce streams last-minute to avoid premeditated harm. Questions below; maybe another YouTuber next time.

00:48:03 John Daub: Planning a midnight snack run tomorrow—depends on weather. Hit Discord/Instagram if in Tokyo. PVG is Peter von Gomm—great friend, ANA safety voice, was at my wedding. Much love. Gonna get Kanae coffee. Community looks out for me too. We got each other's backs. Bye—come find me in Tokyo, but say hi, don't lurk. Seriously. Bye bye.