Upskirting crimes have long plagued Japan. Now children are becoming offenders

Japan’s Upskirting Crisis: A New Generation of Offenders

Upskirting crimes have long plagued Japan – Japan has long grappled with the issue of upskirting, a form of sexual harassment involving the discreet capture of images of someone’s private areas without their consent. Recently, the scope of this crime has expanded in unexpected ways, with a growing number of children becoming both victims and perpetrators. This shift has sparked concern among legal experts and child rights advocates, who warn that the digital age is reshaping traditional patterns of sexual misconduct.

From Classroom to Chatroom: A Changing Landscape

At the heart of the issue is a 6-year-old named Ayaka, whose story highlights a troubling trend. Her swimming instructor, a man who preyed on children for over a decade, secretly recorded her genitalia and uploaded the footage to a Telegram group. The content was so popular among pedophiles that he earned the nickname “god” within the community. Ayaka’s father, Suzuki, only discovered his daughter’s ordeal after a police call two years ago. “We encouraged her to join the swimming school, thinking it would be a fun activity,” he explained to CNN. “Now, I’m filled with shame for putting her in that situation. I’ll never forgive the man who did this to her.”

“I was shocked to learn this was happening in schools,” said Sumire Nagamori, a cybersecurity expert and child rights activist. “The perpetrator can be a classmate, and the images can end up online in seconds.”

Nagamori’s observations underscore a broader transformation. While adult offenders have historically dominated upskirting cases, recent data reveals a surge in minors committing similar acts. According to police records, reports of voyeurism involving underage perpetrators more than doubled in 2024 and continued to rise in 2025. This increase coincides with the introduction of Japan’s updated sex crime legislation, which broadened the definition of “photo voyeurism” to include a wider range of offenses.

The Legal Battle Against a Persistent Crime

Japan’s legal framework for addressing upskirting has evolved significantly in recent years. Before 2023, the crime was handled through a patchwork of local laws, creating inconsistencies across regions. That year, the government enacted a national law specifically targeting “photo voyeurism,” aiming to streamline prosecutions and enhance penalties. The new legislation also mandates that all smartphones sold in the country emit a shutter sound, a measure designed to alert individuals when they’re being photographed covertly.

Despite these efforts, upskirting remains one of Japan’s most frequent sexual offenses. In 2025 alone, authorities made 9,237 arrests for voyeurism-related crimes, the highest number recorded in the nation’s history. Experts attribute part of this spike to the new law, which has clarified the legal boundaries of the crime. However, the ease of smartphone access and the internet’s reach have made the offense more pervasive than ever.

Children as Perpetrators: A New Challenge

At Daisuke Nakamura’s clinic, a psychotherapist specializing in voyeurism cases, the demographic of offenders has shifted dramatically. Fifteen years ago, most clients were middle-aged men. Today, the majority are junior high school students, high schoolers, and even university students. Some cases involve children as young as 13 or 14, with occasional reports of elementary schoolers participating in the act.

“The rise in young offenders is alarming,” Nakamura noted. “These kids are not only committing the crime but also sharing it with peers in online communities.” Social media platforms like Telegram and Discord have become breeding grounds for such behavior. In chatrooms observed by CNN, users post “teasers” of child sexual abuse materials, often luring others with promises of access to explicit content. One video, shared on Telegram, offers a full-length clip of a toddler being abused for less than three dollars. Some users claim they are in middle or junior high school, yet they actively seek out classmates or siblings to film and upload intimate moments.

“Young children are gaining access to digital devices before they’re taught ethics or digital literacy,” Nagamori said. “By the time they understand right from wrong, they already have the tools to harm others.”

This phenomenon is linked to the growing ubiquity of smartphones, which have made covert photography effortless. With cameras always at hand, children can capture and share images in real time, often without immediate consequences. The new law, while a step forward, has not fully addressed the complexities of digital sexual abuse. Critics argue that the Child Pornography Law still leaves gaps, as it only applies when a child’s genitalia are clearly visible. This means some forms of sexual content, such as suggestive or partially exposed images, may fall outside the law’s scope, leading to lighter sentences for offenders.

Global Context and Local Response

Japan’s struggle with upskirting mirrors challenges faced by other nations. However, the country’s unique cultural context and technological environment have amplified the issue. The presence of warning posters at train stations and public buildings has become a common sight, yet they offer only a fraction of the solution. While physical spaces are now monitored, the digital realm presents new vulnerabilities. Social media platforms like Telegram and Discord have been criticized for their role in facilitating the spread of child sexual abuse materials, despite claims of active moderation.

Telegram, for instance, stated that its systems remove millions of harmful content items monthly, including non-consensual pornography. The company also highlighted its efforts to eliminate over 260,000 groups and channels linked to child sexual abuse in 2026. Discord, however, did not respond to CNN’s inquiry. This lack of transparency has raised questions about how effectively these platforms are addressing the issue.

Looking Ahead: A Call for Comprehensive Reform

As the trend continues, experts stress the need for updated legal measures. The current Child Pornography Law, though important, may not be sufficient to cover all forms of digital sexual misconduct. “The law needs to account for the evolving nature of the crime,” Nagamori emphasized. “If we don’t adapt, we risk letting more children become victims.”

The government’s new sex offender registry, which is being rolled out, aims to address this by tracking individuals involved in voyeurism and sexual abuse. However, its effectiveness depends on how it’s implemented. Meanwhile, educators and parents are being urged to monitor children’s online activities and teach them about digital ethics from an early age. “We must equip them with the knowledge to recognize and resist exploitation,” Nakamura said. “It’s not just about punishment—it’s about prevention.”

For Ayaka, the experience has left a lasting impact. While her case is one of many, it serves as a stark reminder of the challenges Japan faces in protecting children from both adults and peers. As the legal system adapts, the question remains: will it be enough to curb the rising tide of digital sexual abuse among the younger generation?