Amid an uptick in cases, Japan moved to step up measures against labor and sexual exploitation on Tuesday as it adopted its latest annual report on human trafficking and discussed a proposed revision to strengthen the government’s anti-trafficking action plan.
“Human trafficking inflicts profound mental and physical suffering on its victims. A swift and appropriate response is necessary,” Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara told ministers during a meeting he chaired the same day.
According to the report, 78 trafficking victims were identified and protected in 2025, up 12 from the previous year. Of those 78, 69 were women and nine were men, and 53 were under the age of 18. Sixty-six were Japanese nationals.
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