AI-Generated Child Sexual Abuse Images Surge in Japan
Japan reported a surge in cases of child sexual abuse materials generated using artificial intelligence in 2025, with 114 cases involving images of minors created via AI, up from 110 the previous year. The victims were predominantly middle and high school students, with most perpetrators being schoolmates. The rise is part of a broader increase in online child sexual exploitation facilitated by social media platforms and online games.
What happened
The National Police Agency reported that cases involving sexually manipulated images of children created using artificial intelligence rose to 114 in 2025, up from 110 the previous year, with middle and high school students accounting for nearly 90 per cent of the victims.
Students at the same schools as the victims made up the largest share of perpetrators, at 65. The report stated that many other victims are believed to have not yet consulted the police.
Reported impact
The rise in AI-generated child sexual abuse material is part of a broader surge in child sexual misconduct cases in Japan, with 4,858 cases in 2025, the highest level in the past decade. The number of children who became victims of nonconsensual sexual activity after meeting perpetrators through social media stood at 1,566, including 167 elementary school students.
Index analysis
Social media platforms and online games were cited as places where victims and perpetrators met. The most commonly used social media platform in such cases was Instagram, followed by X, with the Line messaging app serving as the most common method of communication.
Classification
Sources and evidence
This record was researched and written by the Index, based on the following original reporting.