
Sure, when you gotta go, you gotta go, but that doesn’t mean you gotta come.
In Japan, there’s a bit of a manners debate about using convenience store restrooms. Some people think it’s proper to ask permission from the staff first, and many stores have signs asking customers to do so. On the other hand, the bathrooms don’t require a key to access, permission is pretty much always granted, and some customers feel embarrassed announcing to a stranger that they need to go to the bathroom.
28-year-old Atsushi Iwao appears to be in the you-should-ask-first camp, which ordinarily would be a sign of courteousness on his part. However, the specific question he posed to a female convenience store clerk in Fukuoka City was far from an example of elegant etiquette, as he asked:
“I want to masturbate, so would it be all right if I used the restroom?”
In a further example of Iwao’s odd mix of thoughtfulness and classlessness, he asked the question while purchasing a pack of condoms, suggesting that he was planning to keep the mess to a minimum, but it’d likely be giving him too much credit to assume he was also planning to take the used prophylactic with him when he was done.
The request was, of course, denied, as was an identical one Iwao made on a separate date within the same month. Both incidents took place in October of 2021, but this week police officers were able to identify Iwao and placed him under arrest for obscene conduct, likely long after he’d assumed he’d gotten away with it for good. Iwao, a middle school social studies teacher, was also suspected of obscene conduct of an unannounced nature in a Fukuoka drugstore in December of 2021, and has admitted to all three incidents, saying “There is no mistake” in regards to the accusations. Odds are his arrest won’t do anything to sway the convenience store owners elsewhere in Japan who are being asked to let their store restrooms be used as public toilets for non-customers as well.
Source: Tele Q via Otakomu, Kyushu Asahi Hoso
Top image: Pakutaso (edited by SoraNews24)
● Want to hear about SoraNews24’s latest articles as soon as they’re published? Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!

Japanese teacher who asked permission to jerk off at convenience store has been fired
To ask or not to ask: The etiquette and law of using convenience store restrooms in Japan
“I’ll kill you!” says Japanese schoolgirl when convenience store won’t let her use restroom
Gun found in Japanese convenience store restroom, traced to forgetful on-duty cop
Japanese city’s plan to make convenience store restrooms public restrooms stinks, owners think
Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
Japan triples departure tax, foreign tourists and locals now must pay more to leave country
Starbucks Japan teams up with Converse Tokyo for a new limited-edition collection in honour of Tanabata
Japanese overnight sightseeing train returns for summer with ramen stops and ocean views
Sanrio Character Poll announces winners, Hello Kitty absent from top 10 in many countries
7-Eleven Japan has a lot of famous food, but its new burrito needs to be on your radar
Studio Ghibli releases a musical diorama based on a touching anime scene from My Neighbour Totoro
Japanese train company brings back beloved “patapata” departure board…with a clever digital twist
One Piece docking at Round 1 amusement centers in both Japan and the USA
Live-action Spirited Away stage play announces world tour with first-ever U.S. and Canadian dates
Tokyo has only two barley tea makers, and we visited one to see how mugicha is made
Pikachu brings electric style to brand-new Pokémon G-Shock watch featuring every stater trio
Family Mart Japan installs red-eyed “Monster Wolf” to keep bears away from convenience store
Starbucks Japan reopens Shinkansen platform store after redesigning it for speed
Blind Tokyo commuter explains the easiest place for him to stand while riding the train
Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
Studio Ghibli store Donguri Republic announces opening of first-ever store in America
New Japanese overnight train coming to connect Tokyo with Tohoku in sleep-travel style
Japan launches first overnight Shinkansen bullet train between Tokyo and Osaka this summer
Even at twice regular Daiso price, this handy item is still great for summer travel in Japan
Japanese sweets shop sells an ohagi so exquisite it sells out by noon
Forget Tokyo go-karts – there’s a new way to sightsee on four wheels in Japan
Japanese sweets brand creates new drinkable Cigare and we’re totally here for it
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
Loaded gun found in convenience store restroom in Japan, cop’s on-duty poop to blame
Netizens annoyed that Japan Self-Defense Forces had to announce that aid workers can use restrooms
Can you tell if a Japanese neighborhood is dangerous by looking at its convenience store?
Hokkaido man arrested after asking convenience store to lend him money
5 reasons Japanese convenience stores rock
Man arrested in rural Japan on charges of leaving obscene DVDs in stores as gifts for “healthy men”
Man cooks rice, stir-fried noodles in convenience store parking lot before starting police chase
Newlyweds on honeymoon in Japan beat up convenience store clerk, get arrested
These convenience stores really, really want you to buy their ehomaki Setsubun rolls
Man arrested for trying to kill a convenience store owner over a cup of coffee
Elderly Hyogo man touches convenience store clerk’s breast, buys all the fried chicken, runs away
Hokkaido woman arrested for stealing 1.9 million yen from convenience store in broad daylight
Toilet rubber theft baffles, grosses out Japan
“Nasty” photo of convenience store clerk at work highlights Japan’s strict cleanliness standards
Man in Nagoya can’t be bothered to use dorm bathroom, brings bottles of his pee to work instead