Upskirting crimes have long plagued Japan. Now children are becoming offenders
Japan’s Upskirting Crisis: A Shift Toward Young Offenders
Upskirting crimes have long plagued Japan – Japan’s long-standing issue with upskirting crimes has taken a disturbing turn as minors increasingly become perpetrators. Once predominantly associated with adult predators, the practice of capturing intimate images of unsuspecting victims is now being committed by children themselves, according to recent police data. This trend has alarmed experts and parents alike, raising concerns about the normalization of voyeurism in younger generations and the ease with which digital tools enable such behavior.
A Case of Early Sexual Exploitation
Ayaka, a six-year-old girl, became the first victim of an upskirting incident in her early years. Her swimming instructor, a man who had been preying on children for more than a decade, secretly recorded images of her genitalia and shared them in a Telegram group with other pedophiles. The group members, who were quick to praise his work, referred to him as “god” for his ability to produce such content. Ayaka’s father, Suzuki (both names changed for privacy), only discovered the crime when the police contacted him two years ago. The photos included Ayaka’s face, making her identifiable and exposing the family to public scrutiny.
“My wife and I encouraged her to join that swimming school. We thought it would be a fun experience for her,” Suzuki said. “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’s case is harrowing, she is far from alone. Over the past decade, upskirting and voyeuristic photography have been a persistent issue in Japan, with victims often unaware of the surveillance they face. To combat this, authorities have implemented measures such as alert signs in public spaces and mandatory shutter sounds on smartphones. These steps aim to create a sense of awareness and deter covert photography. However, despite these efforts, the crime remains widespread.
The Rise of Digital Perpetrators
Japan introduced a nationwide law against “photo voyeurism” in 2023 as part of a broader reform of its sex crime statutes. Before this change, cases were handled under inconsistent local rules, which created confusion and allowed offenders to evade accountability. The new law expanded the scope of offenses, contributing to a record number of arrests in 2025, with 9,237 convictions for voyeurism-related crimes. This surge highlights the growing prevalence of the issue, even as legal protections improve.
What has shifted most dramatically, however, is the demographic of offenders. Traditionally, adults were the primary culprits, but a growing number of minors are now engaging in similar behavior. Police data shows that incidents involving young offenders increased nearly sixfold in 2024 and continued to rise in 2025. “I was shocked to learn this was happening in schools,” said Sumire Nagamori, a cybersecurity expert and child rights advocate. “The perpetrator can be a classmate, and the images can end up online within minutes.”
Nagamori attributes this change to the widespread access children have to digital devices and online platforms. “Young children are gaining access to cameras before they’ve learned ethics or digital literacy,” she explained. “Before they can understand right from wrong, they already have tools that can be used to harm others.” This access has made it easier for children to mimic the behavior of older offenders, often without realizing the consequences of their actions.
Technology’s Role in Expanding the Crime
The rise of smartphones has revolutionized how upskirting is carried out. These devices, ubiquitous in Japanese society, allow for instant capture and sharing of intimate images. The shutter sound feature, a government mandate, was designed to alert others when a photo is taken, but it has not been enough to curb the practice. In fact, the convenience of modern technology has made the crime more frequent and less detectable. Online platforms like Telegram and Discord have become hotspots for distributing child sexual abuse materials, with users posting “teasers” to entice others into viewing longer clips.
One such video, shared on a Telegram channel, offered a preview of a toddler being sexually abused for less than three dollars. The user described the content as “exclusive,” emphasizing its appeal to younger audiences. “Some of the users say they are in middle or junior high school, but they’re clearly targeting classmates or siblings,” Nagamori noted. This peer-to-peer dynamic complicates efforts to prevent the crime, as it often occurs within trusted environments.
CNN reached out to Telegram and Discord for their responses. Telegram acknowledged its moderation systems, which remove millions of harmful pieces of content monthly, including non-consensual pornography. The company also cited its “significant efforts” in combating child sexual abuse material, with over 260,000 related groups and channels deleted in 2026 alone. Discord, however, did not respond to the inquiry. This lack of transparency has fueled criticism, with some arguing that platforms need to do more to address the issue.
Legal Challenges and the New Sex Offender Registry
Japan’s legal framework has struggled to keep up with the realities of digital sexual abuse. Currently, child sexual abuse material is primarily addressed under the Child Pornography Law, which applies only when a child’s genitalia are visible in the images. This limitation means that some forms of sexual content—such as images of children in suggestive poses or situations—may fall outside the law’s scope. Critics warn that this creates opportunities for lighter penalties and fewer convictions.
“The law is effective in certain cases, but it leaves gaps that offenders can exploit,” Nagamori said. “If the images don’t clearly show genitalia, the perpetrator might not face the same level of accountability.” To address this, Japan is rolling out a new sex offender registry, which aims to track individuals who commit such crimes. This initiative, however, is still in development and faces challenges in implementation. For now, the majority of victims remain unaware of the legal processes that could protect them.
At Daisuke Nakamura’s clinic, where court-appointed psychotherapists treat individuals convicted of voyeurism offenses, the patient demographic has changed significantly. When Nakamura opened the clinic 15 years ago, most clients were middle-aged men. Today, however, a growing number of junior high school students, high schoolers, and even university students seek help. “My youngest clients are 13 or 14 years old, and occasionally elementary school students come in,” he said. This shift underscores the urgency of addressing the issue before it becomes more entrenched in society.
The trend reflects a broader cultural shift toward digital intimacy, where the line between privacy and exploitation is increasingly blurred. While Japan has taken steps to improve its legal response, experts argue that more must be done to educate children about digital ethics and ensure that the law covers all forms of sexual abuse. As the number of cases grows, the need for comprehensive solutions—both legal and educational—has never been more pressing.
For Ayaka and her family, the crime remains a painful reminder of the vulnerabilities faced by children in an age of instant connectivity. Their experience highlights the importance of vigilance and the need for continued reform to protect the next generation from becoming both victims and perpetrators of upskirting crimes.