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Trafficking takes many forms, but for children, just transporting them into exploitative conditions
is trafficking. Human trafficking is the fastest growing criminal industry, tying with the
illegal arms industry as the second largest criminal industry in the world today.
Even in highly developed nations, such as Japan, child trafficking is a significant
issue. As of 2011, there has been an increase in
the number of children identified as victims of trafficking in Japan.
Every year, more than 5,000 children [in Japan] are brought under police protection after
being victimized by prostitution or *** and many such cases are not prosecuted.
There are children being forced to repay exorbitant debts by selling their bodies, as well as
young girls coerced into "dating with compensation." This map of calls to a Polaris hotline in
Japan suggests that trafficking is most prevalent in prefectures with major cities, such as
Tokyo-to (the prefecture in red), or prefectures with international airports, such as Chiba-ken
(the prefecture in orange). Japan's victim protection structure is weak
since there is a lack of services and shelters dedicated specifically to victims of trafficking
and the government's enforcement of laws against trafficking is inadequate, overall.
To take a stand against child trafficking in Japan, you can RAISE AWARENESS of the issue
and provide FINANCIAL SUPPORT to an anti-trafficking organization.