Japan Grapples with Surge in AI-Generated Sexual Images of Minors
Japanese authorities are facing a disturbing rise in cases where minors are misusing artificial intelligence to generate sexually explicit images of their peers using school photographs. The phenomenon, often referred to as “deepfakes,” has sparked alarm among parents, educators, and law enforcement as reports flood in from across the country.
According to the National Police Agency (NPA), more than 100 reports of fake sexual images of children were filed last year. Many victims were junior high and high school students, though elementary school children were also targeted. In some cases, the perpetrators were minors themselves, using generative AI tools available through websites and apps.
One incident involved an elementary school boy in eastern Japan who created a fake nude image of a girl in junior high school from the same sports class and shared it on a group chat. “I used generative AI to edit a picture of the face of a girl I like,” the boy told police.
Police say most of these images are created using photos from graduation albums, school events, or class-shared pictures. In some cases, the motive was sexual attraction, while in others, harassment of same-sex peers played a role.
The consequences have been severe. In the Tokai region, a junior high school boy was referred to prosecutors for defamation after producing and circulating a fake nude of a female classmate.
Legal and Enforcement Challenges
Japan’s current child pornography laws criminalize possession and production of explicit images of minors but are based on the assumption that real children are depicted. This creates a grey area for prosecuting AI-generated material. To work around this, police are applying other laws such as defamation or obscenity regulations.
A U.S.-based survey highlighted the scale of the issue, identifying nearly 96,000 deepfake videos online in 2023, of which 98% were pornographic. Japanese police officials acknowledge that the cases reported locally are likely “just the tip of the iceberg.”
The NPA is now focusing on about 10 popular AI image-generation sites and apps frequently used by junior high and high school students. Investigations will not only seek accountability but also help design prevention strategies, including awareness campaigns in schools.
Growing Calls for Regulation
Experts warn that even when fake, these images cause real harm. Masaki Ueda, an associate professor of criminal law at Kanagawa University, stressed: “If sophisticated fake images spread online, it violates the privacy of the children whose photos are misused. The psychological burden is significant, so deepfake images should be treated similarly to child pornography.”
Some local governments are taking the lead. In August, Tottori Prefecture revised its ordinances to criminalize the creation of sexually explicit fake images of children. However, national legislation has lagged, with government working groups struggling to advance meaningful reforms.
Civil society groups argue that stronger protections are urgently needed. ChildFund Japan recently conducted a survey of 1,200 people nationwide, with 70% of respondents supporting laws to regulate sexual images of children, even if fabricated.
Global Context
Japan’s slow pace contrasts with other nations moving aggressively to regulate sexually explicit deepfakes. South Korea passed a law in 2023 criminalizing both the creation and possession of such material. In the United States, a federal law now requires online platforms to remove non-consensual explicit content within 48 hours of a victim’s request. Britain and Australia have also enacted legal frameworks targeting deepfake pornography.
For now, Japanese authorities are playing catch-up. With technology advancing rapidly and minors themselves involved in misuse, the problem represents a new frontier in child protection and digital ethics. Without swift legislative action, experts warn, the spread of AI-generated child deepfakes could spiral beyond the reach of existing laws.
