May 2025 Activity Report
- Admin
- Jun 10
- 7 min read
＜Videos in Spread, Spreading Can Be Stopped＞
In May, 366 people contacted us for the first time, with sextortion cases making up the majority. However, we also received several serious consultations regarding coerced appearances in prnography. These cases involve people being filmed and having their videos published without proper explanation or without consent to the filming or appearance.
We also received reports from individuals whose videos, filmed in the past, continue to be circulated online against their will. A recent trend includes private sexual videos being altered and sold as “AV.” In some cases, videos taken during someone’s teenage years are still being distributed on video platforms, causing deep anxiety—“Maybe there’s no way to stop it anymore.”
PAPS provides support such as requesting the removal of sexual images to help stop the harm. In some cases, we’ve successfully had the content removed to the point where it no longer appears easily in Google search results after continued efforts over several years.
Especially since the AV Appearance Damage Prevention and Relief Law came into effect in 2022, there have been many successful cases of canceling appearance contracts and halting publication. We are committed to standing by survivors so they do not have to suffer in silence. If you’re unsure—“Is this even considered harm?”—please reach out to us. We’ll figure it out together.
＜Sextortion Threats Beginning on Social Media Are Surging＞
“I sent a photo, and suddenly they threatened to expose it unless I paid.”
We heard many such cases again in May. Someone who initially seemed kind turns into a blackmailer—that’s the nature of sextortion, which is rapidly spreading today.
Most cases involve perpetrators met through platforms like X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, dating apps, LINE, or gaming apps. After sending a sexual image or video, victims are threatened with exposure—“I’ll leak this” or “I’ll show your family and friends”—and then demands for money or gift cards begin. The amounts range from a few thousand yen to hundreds of thousands, and victims are often repeatedly extorted, leading to severe emotional distress.
Victims are especially common among teens and people in their 20s. In some cases, sexual conversations during gaming chat escalated into threats using secretly recorded videos. Many survivors experience overwhelming self-blame.
The majority of sextortion cases involve Instagram video calls and Apple’s iMessage feature. Why is iMessage targeted? Because it allows messages to be sent without friend requests or approval, making it easy for perpetrators to initiate contact.
Just knowing the victim’s phone number, they can send iMessages. If a victim sends a message to the perpetrator’s Gmail address via iMessage, their phone number is revealed. If the perpetrator’s device is an iPhone, the victim also gets a “read” receipt. Unlike LINE or Instagram, there’s no approval process, making it an easily accessible attack route. Cases are rapidly increasing, especially among junior high, high school, and university students.
We publish the latest blocking techniques and response methods for sextortion cases on our website. You can view it [here].
＜On the Frontlines of Image Removal Requests＞
This month as well, we have been working to request the removal of sexual images and videos that have been leaked and spread across social media and video-sharing platforms. A particular concern has been the repeated resale of used AV content on online auction sites. Survivors continue to report secondary harm from AVs that had already been taken off the market being resold again.
More recently, we’ve also seen cases where only the sexual scenes of AV works are extracted and uploaded to YouTube as “promo clips” to gain views. These cases represent a new form of sexual exploitation, showing how perpetration is becoming increasingly diverse and sophisticated.
PAPS supports the removal of harmful images and videos posted on platforms like Instagram, X, YouTube, and FC2, based on requests from survivors. Since the process differs depending on the platform and often involves communicating in English, it can be difficult to handle alone. While the process may require identity verification and submission of evidence, we make every effort to reduce the burden on survivors. In some cases, we can proceed without sharing personal information with service providers—please don’t hesitate to consult us.
＜Participating in Discussions on Generative AI＞
PAPS has long advocated for systemic and operational reforms regarding child pornography. Sexual images and videos of children and youth are now circulating at such speed and volume that removal requests alone cannot keep up. The emergence of generative AI has further increased the risk of such rights violations being spread anonymously and rapidly.
We now live in an era where anyone can create sexual images or videos using only a face photo. We’ve recently begun receiving consultations about harm caused by AI-generated pornography.
To address these issues, we participated in a panel discussion with lawyers familiar with Japan’s child pornography laws and international children’s rights organizations.
In Japan today, direct regulations on AI-generated child pornography remain undeveloped due to strong resistance from relevant industries under the banner of “protecting creative culture.”
Current legal interpretations suggest that only AI-generated content based on real children could be prosecuted under defamation laws. However, proving that an image is based on a specific child is extremely difficult. Slight alterations can render the original unidentifiable. Moreover, under Japan’s child pornography laws, identifying specific body parts is required—making it difficult to take action under existing laws.
From a practical standpoint, the application of defamation law requires that the content be spread along with personal information. But AI-generated content may not include any such identifying info, meaning the perpetrators may escape punishment altogether.
Considering these realities, PAPS continues to advocate for effective relief measures and regulation.
＜Night Outreach on Tokyo City Streets＞
This month as well, we continued reaching out to young people we encountered on the streets at night. We saw many youths overall, especially teenage girls. It was a day when many were willing to accept flyers and listen to what we had to say.
In one hotel district, we reunited with a young woman we recognized. When we noticed her expression was different than usual and spoke to her, she quietly shared, “I want to die… or maybe, I’m just tired of living.” PAPS never ignores such words. We exchanged contact information and continued supporting her.
Each small exchange on the street becomes the beginning of a relationship with youth. As we say, “Nice to see you again,” or “Are you okay today?” we continue to stand in these streets, connecting them to support when needed.
＜"Night Café" in Tokyo's Entertainment District＞
At PAPS’ night café “Hitsuji Café,” we recently witnessed a situation that exposed the severe isolation and anxiety many young people face. One particularly striking case involved a girl under 18 who came in worried that she might be pregnant.
She had left home determined never to return. Encouraged by a friend, she visited the café, but found it hard to talk to the staff. Only when a staff member sitting beside her quietly said, “It must have been tough,” did tears begin to fall silently.
Especially for minors reported missing by their parents, staff have very limited options. That’s why it’s crucial to carefully listen to the reasons behind their escape and current struggles, to speak on their behalf, and connect them to child support services.
On the other hand, among those who have connected to support, we’ve seen young people slowly rebuilding relationships in safe spaces. One woman who returned to the café after a long absence shared how she used to suppress her opinions, but “now I can express myself.” Her words, and how the people around her started changing too, brought joy to our staff.
Our shelter support is not about offering ready-made “answers,” but rather starting by building relationships where each individual feels, “Maybe I can talk here.” By listening to the pain that often goes unnoticed, we work step by step. And through these daily efforts, we begin to see small but meaningful changes.
＜Stronger Regulations on "Host Club" Business Practices＞
Significant progress was made in regulating the so-called “host club business model,” which exploits romantic feelings to demand exorbitant spending from women. On May 20, 2025, the amended Entertainment Business Law passed the House of Representatives and was enacted.
The amendment prohibits the following malicious practices:
Charging excessive fees or collecting debts based on romantic manipulation
Forcing women into prostitution or sex establishments or prostitution to repay debts
“Scout-back” payments from clubs to hosts for introducing new customers. (Scoutback is when a host hires a woman to work in a sex shop and in return receives a portion of her prostitution earnings.)
Additionally, the fine for operating without a license has increased from 2 million yen to 300 million yen, demonstrating the government’s firm stance against this exploitative business model.
Since June 2023, PAPS has been advocating for stronger regulations against exploitative businesses targeting young women, such as concept cafés, host clubs, and prostitution recruitment—based on what we’ve seen through our night cafés. With the help of partner organizations, many media outlets, local and national politicians, and relevant ministries, this legislation has finally passed. We extend our heartfelt thanks.
This marks a major step toward addressing the harm long ignored in host club practices. Through our counseling services, we aim to make active use of this new system.
Your support brings healing to those affected by sexual exploitation. Your contributions are a powerful force in the fight to end it.
With just 1,000 yen per month (about 33 yen a day), you can help provide a safe and secure place to stay for women who have nowhere to go—even for just one day a year. 
Just 3,000 yen a month enables us to maintain a lifeline for victims of digital sexual violence for one day annually. 
Just 500 yen a month can make it possible to accompany and support one young woman reached through our nightlife outreach, once a year
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