Industry News — Crime, Regulation & Trends

News

Three Years After the AV Law Took Effect: Sharp Rise in Damage Reports, and Structural Change in the Industry

Three years after the Act on Preventing and Remedying Harm to Adult-Video Performers took effect, the Consumer Affairs Agency released an assessment report. The number of damage reports rose more than fivefold compared with before the law, confirming a certain deterrent effect. At the same time, the offshore relocation of illegal operators and new 'loopholes' have emerged as challenges going forward.

Elon June 11, 2025

News

Operator of Major Adult-Entertainment Chain Arrested for Tax Evasion; Over 300 Million Yen in Concealed Income Over Five Years

On the 14th, the National Tax Agency and police authorities arrested the operator of an adult-entertainment chain with several outlets in Tokyo on suspicion of violating the Corporation Tax Act (tax evasion). The concealed income over five years is said to total more than 300 million yen, drawing attention as a large-scale tax-evasion case in the adult-entertainment industry.

Elon May 14, 2025

News

New Guidelines Released on Regulating Sexual Transactions via Social Media; Platforms to Be Required to Verify Age

A joint study group of the National Police Agency and the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications released new guidelines summarizing a year of deliberations. The measures would require platform operators to act against advertisements for sexual services and to strengthen age verification to protect minors, with legislation targeted for 2026.

Elon April 16, 2025

News

Southeast Asian Prostitution Network Busted: 20 Hubs Across Japan

On the 12th, the National Police Agency announced that it had carried out simultaneous searches targeting a Southeast Asian prostitution network with hubs at 20 locations across Japan, arresting 17 people including its leaders. The network was made up of members holding multiple nationalities and is believed to be part of an international human-trafficking organization.

Elon March 12, 2025

News

Expert Panel Recommends Strengthening Anti-Trafficking Law, Urging a 'Victim-Centered Approach

An expert panel under the Cabinet Office compiled recommendations on measures to prevent human trafficking, setting out a direction for legal reform. The pillars are a shift to a 'victim-centered approach' in line with international standards and a stronger blow to the funding sources of criminal organizations.

Elon February 12, 2025

News

First Bust of 2025: Illegal Scouting Group Faking Its Own Disbandment Arrested in Tokyo

On the 15th, the Tokyo Metropolitan Police arrested three leaders of an illegal scouting group that had kept operating while faking a 'disbandment' to evade enforcement. As the first major bust of 2025, it signaled a strict enforcement stance for the year ahead.

Elon January 15, 2025

News

2024 Enforcement Review: Marked Growth and Geographic Spread of Network-Type Crime

The National Police Agency released its review of trends in sex-industry-related crime for 2024. The growth in scale and geographic reach of organized, network-type crime was striking, calling for an organization-dismantling response that goes beyond the enforcement of individual cases.

Elon December 11, 2024

News

Operator of Major Prostitution-Brokering Site Found Guilty: Over 200 Million Yen in Forfeiture, 3 Years in Prison

The Tokyo District Court handed down a guilty verdict to a defendant who operated a large prostitution-brokering website. He was sentenced to three years in prison and ordered to forfeit 230 million yen, in a ruling drawing attention as a sign of the judiciary's tough stance on digital sex crimes.

Elon November 13, 2024

News

AI, Deepfakes, and Sex Crimes: New Legal Framework Urgently Needed

The generation and spread of sexual images using AI deepfake technology is surging, and existing law is reaching the limits of what it can address. The government is accelerating consideration of a new legal framework, and early legislation is being called for from the standpoint of victim protection.

Elon October 16, 2024

News

Large Illegal Sex-Industry Network Dismantled: Hubs in 11 Prefectures, Total Revenue Said to Top 2 Billion Yen

On the 11th, the National Police Agency announced an operation to dismantle a large illegal sex-industry network with hubs across 11 prefectures. Forty-two people, including leaders and operatives, were arrested, and the organization's total revenue is believed to exceed at least 2 billion yen. The case is drawing attention as one of the largest sex-industry crime busts in recent years.

Elon September 11, 2024