Asian Lawmakers Push Global Action Against Online Child Abuse

Kamikawa Yoko, Chair of JPFP and of AFPPD addresses the Asian Parliamentarians’ Conference on Education for Life, Safety, and Human Dignity.

Vulnerable children are being targeted online faster than parliamentarians and law enforcers can respond, a conference convened by the Asian Population and Development Association (APDA) heard. Yet, with international cooperation and idea-sharing, lawmakers believe the scourge of online abuse can be addressed.

The Asian Parliamentarians’ Conference on Education for Life, Safety, and Human Dignity, held on 7 October 2025 in Tokyo, Japan, brought together parliamentarians from across Asia, ministry officials, practitioners, partner organizations, experts, and media to seek solutions to eliminate sexual crimes and violence against children and youth. The conference concluded with a call for deeper international collaboration to protect children in the digital age.

In her keynote address, Kamikawa Yoko, Chair of JPFP and AFPPD, said, “Traditionally, in Japan, sexuality education was considered taboo; even the word ‘sexuality’ made discussion untouchable.” She proposed the concept of Life Safety Education (LSE) to make it more readily accepted.

She warned that young people coming to major cities like Tokyo and Osaka are exposed to vast amounts of online information. Some are lured by promises of an “easy income,” only to be deceived and coerced into the sex industry, human trafficking, drug trafficking, or other criminal activities. LSE aims to empower children to recognize their rights, develop self-determination, and protect themselves.

“Protecting children is not optional. It is our shared responsibility,” she emphasized.

Nakazono Kazutaka from Japan’s Ministry of Education explained that LSE seeks to prevent children from becoming victims, perpetrators, or bystanders, using age-appropriate content and social media guidance. The program is integrated into health and PE classes and includes digital materials and teacher training, with expansion plans across more schools and regions.

Makishima Karen, MP Japan, highlighted worrying figures, noting 2,783 cases related to child pornography involving 1,024 individuals. She emphasized that many victims remain outside the reach of law enforcement and safety nets, with grooming often starting innocently and escalating into abuse.

The conference stressed that the abuse often goes unreported, making follow-ups difficult. New laws criminalizing unauthorized filming exist, but legal mandates require expansion. Victims of non-consensual sexual images must currently request removal individually from each platform, unlike in the US, where removal occurs within 48 hours.

Key measures include educating children not to be bystanders when witnessing harmful behaviors and fostering awareness that sexual acts without consent constitute sexual violence. Early childhood education emphasizes body autonomy, while messaging for teens and youth reinforces that the perpetrator, not the child, is at fault.

Speakers urged international collaboration, as platforms are global and enforcement requires cross-border coordination. Some solutions include restricting social media use for children under 16. Catherine Wedd, MP from New Zealand, noted that globally, 16–58% of girls in 30 countries experience cyber violence, highlighting the psychological toll, including anxiety, depression, and reduced self-esteem.

New Zealand is introducing laws to require age verification and prevent under-16s from accessing social media, following Australia’s example. Cambodia has developed a Youth Health mobile app to enhance sexual and reproductive health education for adolescents while maintaining anonymity, in collaboration with UNFPA.

Closing remarks reinforced the need for regional and international cooperation. Yos Phanita, MP Cambodia, and Dr. Abe Toshiko, Chair of JPFP Project Team and MP Japan, called for fostering regional cooperation, sharing best practices, and advocating comprehensive sexuality education as a fundamental human right and foundation for equitable, sustainable societies.

Abe concluded that the discussion should serve as a catalyst for concrete policy progress and greater societal understanding and support.