On September 5, 2016 Human Rights Now (HRN) released an investigative report on the status and challenge of ending child pornography in Japan. The investigations revealed that child pornography material was sold openly in Tokyo and online. However there is a lack of proper enforcement in the recent anti-child pornography law as well as competing definitions of what constitutes child pornography. HRN advocates for a zero tolerance policy on that issue.
The Mainichi published an article about HRN’s report on child pornography being sold openly. This article explains how AV industry representatives making the videos argue that as long as there is not any nudity it does not constitute pornographic material and how HRN contests this definition.
The Mainichi [16/09/06]: Suspected child pornography videos sold openly: NGO
In a story about paedophilia in Japan, the BBC quotes Kazuko Ito on the issue of “Chaku Ero” (“erotically clothes”) material that does not involve nudity, “Chaku Ero is child pornography. That’s the reality.” She directly refutes the argument that this type of video do not fall in the definition of child pornography.
BBC Three [2017]: Is Japan turning a blind eye to paedophilia?
Newsweek also referred to the HRN report on child pornographic material in an article on the record high distribution of child pornography in Japan in 2016.
Newsweek [17/03/10]: Japan: Child Abuse and Child Pornography Cases Hit Record Highs in 2016
The broader phenomenon of paedophilia has other manifestations. Al Jazeera published a piece on the issue of sexual assault in Japan, especially the case of young girls in public transportation. Hiroko Goto, Vice President of HRN, mentions how this phenomenon affects girls in uniform in particular in what he describes as a deeply rooted male social dominance within Japanese society.
Al Jazeera [17/03/08]: Sexual assault in Japan, Every girl was a victim: