Japan’s Upskirting Crisis: A New Wave of Young Offenders
Upskirting crimes have long plagued Japan – Japan has long grappled with upskirting incidents, where individuals secretly capture intimate images of others. Recently, the pattern of offenders has shifted, with children now playing a central role in perpetuating the crime. Ayaka, a six-year-old, became a victim years ago when her swimming instructor, a pedophile active for over a decade, recorded her private areas. He shared the footage in a Telegram group, where fellow predators praised him as a “god” for his content. Ayaka’s father, Suzuki, only discovered the abuse after police contacted him two years later. His daughter’s face and name were visible in some of the images, making her easily recognizable.
“My wife and I encouraged her to join that swimming school. We thought it would be a fun experience for her,” Suzuki explained to CNN. “I feel ashamed that I put my daughter in that situation. I feel angry toward the man who committed the crime. I can never forgive him.”
While Ayaka is just one example, she represents a growing trend. The crime of upskirting, often linked to voyeuristic photography, remains prevalent in Japan. To address this, the government introduced a national law against “photo voyeurism” in 2023 as part of broader reforms to sexual offense regulations. Prior to this, cases were handled under varying local rules, creating inconsistencies in prosecution.
Warning posters are now a common sight in train stations and public buildings, while all smartphones in the country are mandated to produce a shutter sound when capturing images. These measures aim to prevent covert photography. Despite such efforts, 9,237 arrests for voyeurism offenses were recorded nationwide in 2025—marking a record high. Authorities credit the new law, which broadened the definition of offenses, as a contributing factor to this rise.
Smartphones have made the crime more accessible, enabling perpetrators to easily repeat their actions. However, the demographic of offenders is changing. While adults have historically dominated, a sharp increase in cases involving minors has emerged. Data shows reported voyeurism incidents linked to children nearly doubled in 2024 and rose further in 2025.
Technology and Teen Behavior
Experts point to digital tools as a catalyst for this trend. Cybersecurity specialist Sumire Nagamori told CNN: “I was shocked to learn this was happening in schools. The perpetrator can be a classmate, and the images can end up online.” Online chatrooms on platforms like Telegram and Discord have become hotspots for sharing child sexual abuse materials. One video, seen by CNN, offered a longer clip of a toddler being abused for less than $3.
Users in these groups often claim they are in middle or high school, yet they admit to photographing classmates or siblings. Nagamori highlights how smartphones provide children with constant access to cameras and online content, fostering copycat behavior before they grasp ethical boundaries. “Young children are gaining access to digital devices before they are taught ethics or digital literacy,” she said. “Before they can distinguish right from wrong, they already have tools that can be used to harm others.”
At Daisuke Nakamura’s clinic, which provides therapy for those convicted of voyeurism, the patient mix has evolved. Fifteen years ago, most clients were middle-aged men. Today, the majority are junior high school, high school, or university students. Some cases involve children as young as 13 or even elementary schoolers. This shift reflects challenges in Japan’s legal framework, which still struggles to keep up with digital sexual abuse realities. Under current law, child sexual abuse material is typically prosecuted under the Child Pornography Law, but critics argue it only applies when a child’s genitalia are clearly visible. This leaves room for loopholes that may lead to lighter penalties for offenders. Japan is also launching a new sex offender registry to address these concerns.
