Japan police report 123 AI-generated child sexual abuse images in first half of 2026
Japan's police reported a doubling of cases involving sexual deepfake images of minors in the first half of 2026, with 123 incidents handled—most targeting middle school students. Generative AI and photo editing apps were used to create and manipulate images, with perpetrators often being schoolmates or people who contacted victims online.
What happened
Japan's National Police Agency reported on August 3, 2026, that police handled 123 cases involving sexual deepfake images of minors in the first half of 2026, double the 60 cases from the same period in 2025. Generative AI and smartphone image editing applications were confirmed in 38 of these cases.
Middle school students were the most common victims, accounting for 79 cases (64%), followed by high school students with 38 cases (31%). Three cases involved primary school children. In 83 cases, the perpetrators were schoolmates or people from the same school; 7 cases involved people the victim met online; and 4 cases involved strangers who secretly photographed the victims and altered their images. At least one case involved a high school victim being threatened with image distribution and extorted for electronic money.
Reported impact
The 123 cases in the first half of 2026 already exceeded the full-year totals of 110 cases in 2024 and 114 cases in 2025, indicating a sharp increase in the volume of such incidents being detected by police.
Index analysis
Experts noted that the 123 reported cases likely represent only a small portion of actual incidents, as many victims may not realize their images have been altered or may be unable to report the abuse.
Governance controls
Police have strengthened efforts to publicize the illegality of creating sexual deepfake images. Serious cases are investigated under charges including defamation and obscene material distribution, with perpetrators subject to guidance and repeated warnings.
Classification
Sources and evidence
Sources not yet published
This record was researched and written by the Index from original reporting. Its sources are still being verified by an editor, and they are listed here once that check is complete. Until then the record carries no reviewer.