Upskirting crimes have long plagued Japan, with a growing number of children becoming offenders. According to recent data, reported voyeurism cases involving minors surged nearly sixfold in 2024 compared to the previous year, and rose again in 2025.

Victims and Perpetrators

Ayaka, a six-year-old girl, was a victim of upskirting when her swimming teacher took illicit photos and videos of her. Her father, Suzuki, only learned about the incident when the police called two years later. Ayaka’s case is not an isolated one, as Japan has struggled to curb upskirting and voyeuristic photography.

Experts attribute the increase in cases to the ubiquity of smartphones, which has made it easier for perpetrators to commit these crimes. Cybersecurity expert and child rights activist Sumire Nagamori notes that young children are gaining access to digital devices before they are taught ethics or digital literacy, leading to copycat behavior.

Consequences and Prevention

The consequences of upskirting can be severe, with victims often suffering from long-term emotional trauma. To prevent such crimes, Japan has introduced measures such as warning posters and shutter sounds on smartphones. However, experts argue that the country’s legal framework has struggled to keep pace with the realities of digital sexual abuse.

Japan has also rolled out a new sex offender registry, but it is not accessible to the public. This has raised concerns about the effectiveness of the registry in preventing repeat offenses. Meanwhile, some experts are calling for more education and awareness about digital literacy and ethics to prevent upskirting crimes.

Original reporting: KRDO (Colorado Springs metro) — read the source article.