Sex trafficking in Japan

Sex trafficking in Japan is human trafficking for the purpose of sexual exploitation and slavery that occurs in the country. Japan is a country of origin, destination, and transit for sexually trafficked persons.

Japanese citizens, primarily women and girls, have been sex trafficked within Japan and to a lesser degree abroad. Foreign victims are sex trafficked into the country.[1][2] Minors[3] and persons from families in poverty[4] are particularly vulnerable to sex trafficking. Sex trafficked victims are deceived,[1][2][5][6] threatened,[2][5][6] and forced into prostitution. Their passports and bank documents are often confiscated.[2] Debt bondage is often employed.[2][5] They suffer from physical and psychological trauma.[6][3] A number contract sexually transmitted diseases from rape and live in generally poor conditions. Some rescued victims face ostracization, depression,[3] and or commit suicide.[dubiousdiscuss][6] Online sextortion and the creation of coerced rape pornography are issues.[6]

Male and female traffickers in Japan come from a wide range of backgrounds and every social class. Traffickers are often members of or facilitated by crime syndicates,[2] including the yakuza or bōryokudan. Sex trafficking is linked to Japan's entertainment and tourism industries, and women and girls are also trafficked to businesses catering to military servicemen and contractors in United States Forces Japan. Traffickers have used internet websites, email, and apps to lure victims.[6] Japanese nationals have engaged in cybersex trafficking.[7][8]

The scale of sex trafficking in Japan is difficult to know because of the underground nature of sex trafficking crimes, the fact that only a small minority of cases are reported to the authorities, and other factors. The Japanese government has been criticized for its lack of anti-sex trafficking efforts and laws.[3][5][6] Some Japanese officials have been accused of being apathetic about the issue.[5] [9] [10] In 2014, the US Department of State reported that "Japan is the international hub for the production and trafficking of child pornography".[11]

  1. ^ a b Sothoeuth, Ith (January 24, 2017). "Seven Cambodians Rescued in Sex Trafficking Bust in Japan". VOACambodia.com. Voice of America. Retrieved April 26, 2020.
  2. ^ a b c d e f "Why are foreign women continuing to be forced into prostitution in Japan?". The Mainichi. June 10, 2017. Retrieved April 26, 2020.
  3. ^ a b c d Fifield, Anna (May 16, 2017). "For vulnerable high school girls in Japan, a culture of 'dates' with older men". The Washington Post. Retrieved April 26, 2020.
  4. ^ Reith-Banks, Tash (June 15, 2019). "Schoolgirls for sale: why Tokyo struggles to stop the 'JK business'". The Guardian.
  5. ^ a b c d e "Lighthouse NGO Serves as Beacon of Hope for Victims of Sex Trafficking". UW–Madison News. University of Wisconsin–Madison. May 15, 2018. Retrieved April 26, 2020.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g Campbell, Charlie (October 29, 2019). "The Sexual Exploitation of Young Girls in Japan Is 'On the Increase,' an Expert Says". Time. Retrieved April 26, 2020.
  7. ^ "Japanese, Filipino couple sued over child cybersex". Inquirer. September 18, 2015.
  8. ^ "Online child sexual exploitation and abuse". UNODC. 2019.
  9. ^ McCurry, Justin (17 December 2023). "Host clubs' in Tokyo force women into sex work to pay off huge debts". The Guardian.
  10. ^ "'Host crazy' women fall into debt hell through pay-later system". Asahi Shimbun.
  11. ^ "Japan". State.gov. United States Department of State. 2014. Retrieved April 29, 2024.