Record of Nearly 123,000 Child Abuse Cases in Japan in 2023

Citing concerns and increasing awareness about the plight of abused children, the National Police Agency of Japan revealed alarming statistics on March 28th. According to data compiled by the agency, there were 2,385 criminal investigations into child abuse cases in 2023, marking a 9.4% increase compared to 2022 and the highest number on record.

Disturbing Trends in Child Abuse

The number of children under 18 who were placed in welfare centers due to mental abuse reached an all-time high, with a staggering 90,761 children affected. Among them, 52,611 witnessed domestic violence against family members. Physical abuse accounted for 21,520 cases, while 10,205 children were abandoned or neglected, and 320 were victims of sexual abuse.

Types of Child Abuse

Analyzing the criminal investigations, it was found that 1,903 children suffered physical abuse, 372 were victims of sexual abuse, 65 experienced psychological abuse, and 45 were abandoned or neglected.

Decrease in Fatal Cases

However, the number of child abuse-related deaths in 2023 reached a record low of 28, significantly fewer than the peak of 111 cases in 2006.

Increase in Surveillance Incidents

Conversely, incidents of surveillance-related counseling, where individuals are monitored or subjected to consistent online harassment on social media platforms, forums, or the internet, increased for the first time in six years. The reported cases surged to 19,843. With a record-breaking 1,963 restraining orders, the authorities were able to better control and address this issue, surpassing the initial number of warnings issued by the police since the revised monitoring law took effect in 2017.

Legislative Changes and Domestic Violence

Legislative changes have enabled the Japanese government to swiftly implement more stringent restraining orders, allowing them to bypass initial warnings. Cases of domestic violence counseling increased by 4.9% compared to the previous year, with a total of 88,619 reported incidents. Women accounted for 70.5% of the victims, while 29.5% were men. The number of male victims of domestic violence has been steadily rising each year, from 21.7% in 2019, which authorities believe is due to fewer barriers for men to report abuse.

As experts in the field of finance and economics, it is essential to address these alarming statistics and the social implications they have on society. At Business Today, we believe in fostering a safe and secure environment for all individuals, especially children, and raising awareness about the importance of safeguarding their well-being. Together, we can strive for a better future, where the vulnerable are protected, and abuse becomes a thing of the past.