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.

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. The teacher, who targeted children for over a decade, shared the images on a Telegram group with other pedophiles.

Experts say that the rise of smartphones has made it easier for young people to commit these crimes. Cybersecurity expert and child rights activist Sumire Nagamori notes that children are gaining access to digital devices before they are taught ethics or digital literacy, making it easier for copycat behavior to spread.

Consequences and Prevention

The Japanese government has introduced measures to curb the crime, including a nationwide law against photo voyeurism. However, critics say that gaps remain in the law, and some forms of sexual abuse content can fall outside its scope.

Japan is also rolling out a new sex offender registry that allows employers in child-facing professions to check whether prospective employees have been convicted of child sexual abuse offenses. However, the public cannot access this database.

Original reporting: KTVZ (Central Oregon) — read the source article.