PAPS Activity Report – March 2025
- Admin
- 4月2日
- 読了時間: 7分
“If someone is in trouble, I want to help.”This simple yet powerful wish is what sustains our daily work. Behind the incidents reported in the news, there are countless survivors who are unable to speak out.
We continue our efforts this year to listen to those unheard voices and to create tangible support and change.
What’s Happening on the Ground — Hotline, Outreach, and Takedown Support
As March comes to a close, we continue to handle a high volume of counseling cases and takedown requests. One staff member even remarked, “There’s no end to takedown requests.” In cases of non-consensual image distribution, we face the persistent challenge of locating content that isn’t tied to obvious search keywords, making it incredibly difficult to track down.
In cases of harm related to coerced appearances in adult videos, we’re often dealing with hundreds—or even over a thousand—listings of the same video still being distributed, turning every case into a race against time.
We are also continuing to receive consultations related to deepfake pornography, underscoring the deeply rooted and lingering nature of online harm.
Recently, we’ve seen an increasing number of cases where victims of sextortion are referred to Take It Down, a service operated by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), after reporting their situation to the police. Take It Down is a support tool designed to help remove sexually explicit images and videos that have been leaked online. It is especially aimed at helping minors take down sexual content that has been distributed without their consent.
These day-to-day efforts may not always be visible, but each response makes a real and tangible difference in empowering survivors.
Support in the Present and Beyond — On-the-Ground Action, Policy, and the Next Step
We have recently begun providing support to individuals who were arrested under the Anti-Prostitution Act and are being held in police detention facilities. Speaking directly with one such individual in custody, we were encouraged to see signs of resilience and hope. At the same time, there were moments that made us reflect on the nature of support—for instance, when an attempt to deliver a bralette-style undergarment was denied by the facility, raising questions about how support should be carried out in such environments.
In a recent case of sextortion, a 17-year-old girl was threatened with the use of sexually explicit images by someone she believed to be her “boyfriend.” While legal provisions like the “solicitation of meeting with minors” offense can apply to victims under the age of 16, they do not extend to 17-year-olds. In the past, this often led to police turning victims away, saying they couldn't help. However, recently there have been cases where authorities are making use of existing legal frameworks to take action, suggesting a gradual shift in how agencies are responding to these crimes.
Behind this ongoing support work, our policy advocacy efforts are also gaining momentum. We’ve held multiple meetings with members of the National Diet to raise awareness about the Act on Prevention and Relief for Victims of Coerced Pornography and to share the realities of digital sexual violence. At PAPS, our strong desire to bring voices from the field into the policy-making process is driving our advocacy forward—and we’re beginning to see meaningful results from these efforts.
Cafés and Outreach
March, being the end of the fiscal year, has brought increased activity in both outreach and café programs. With a shortage of staff for the night café shifts, we managed to keep it open five days a week thanks to the dedication of our volunteer staff.
There has also been a positive development at the café—regular visitors are gradually becoming familiar faces, and as a result, the cleanliness of the space is being better maintained. This shows how consistent engagement is helping to build a strong foundation for ongoing support.
Outreach Efforts Continued Despite the Cold
In March, there was a noticeable increase in foreign tourists, and it seemed there were slightly fewer men visibly seeking sexual services. However, the behavior of those believed to be on the “buyer” side remained active, and the presence of male “scouts” approaching women on the street was still prominent. One particularly concerning trend was how much more aggressive their approach had become. Some were physically blocking the paths of young women or persistently following them—behavior that can only feel frightening to girls and young women in their teens and early twenties.
At the same time, many of the young women we encountered said things like “We’re always here” or “This is where we hang out,” revealing how this space has become a part of their everyday lives. Even in casual conversations, we could sense the trust that has been gradually built up over time—there was a quiet sense of safety that could only have come from showing up consistently and being present.
New Faces, New Encounters — The Importance of Timing and Connection
At the same time, we also noticed several young women who were clearly unfamiliar with the area. One girl, in particular, stood out—walking nervously, glancing around, and seemingly unable to speak with anyone. It left a strong impression. She may have been standing there without any information or support, completely disconnected. This reminded us once again just how crucial the timing of our approach can be.
In our outreach, past connections and new encounters overlapped. There are words we can offer precisely because we recognize someone’s face—but there are also women who haven’t yet opened up to us. For both, what’s essential is a relationship where they can feel safe to talk, and a space where they can feel, “It’s okay for me to be here.”
Even in the cold, our outreach staff made their way to the streets. In one case, a simple conversation led to actual support. We also received updates about changes seen through years of ongoing contact with a long-time consultation client. When they said, “I think I’ll be able to sleep well tonight,” it quietly reflected the staff's joy and the deep impact of their work.
A Moment at the Night Café
One evening, the kotatsu (heated table) was completely full. Regular visitors and first-timers sat side by side, sharing meals, watching TV, and spending time together. Some chose to relax quietly, while others chatted lively in groups. It was a calm, gentle evening, with time flowing at its own unhurried pace.
One girl quietly said she hadn’t been able to see her host—the one she’s involved with through what’s often called the “host club trap”—and muttered, “I feel like I might use again,” then smiled and added, “But I haven’t popped anything.” That moment stayed with us.
Another girl cheerfully shared, “I started working at a girls’ bar!” While others talked about wanting to go to college or get their high school equivalency. One girl even brought her study materials and was fully focused, notebook open, deep in concentration.
A group of junior high students, laughing and saying, “It’s been ages since I wrote anything by hand,” played a drawing-based word game in the café notebook. These small, honest words that slip out in quiet moments often leave the deepest impression.
“Feeling depressed today—I spent too much money on my host,” someone sighed, lying down by the kotatsu.
Gentle Moments and Small Changes
“I just came for a meal today,” “It’s cold, so I stopped by to rest a bit”—these simple reasons are part of what makes the café so special. Whether someone wants quiet time alone or to have a conversation with someone, we hope this space can be that “just right place” for each person. With that in mind, our staff continue to engage and support with care every day.
"I hope to continue watching over and supporting the creation of a warm and safe place here, where people don’t have to sell sex to survive."
Let me know if you'd like it to sound more formal or poetic!
"March as a Turning Point: Supervisor Miyamoto’s Retirement and the Future of PAPS’ Support System"
March 31, 2025 — A Major Turning Point for PAPS
March 31, 2025 marked a significant turning point for PAPS. Setsuko Miyamoto, one of our founding members, officially stepped down from her role as supervisor.
Reflecting on their 16-year journey together, our director, Ms. Kanejiri, said with deep emotion, “It’s thanks to Miyamoto-san’s unwavering support that PAPS has been able to survive within the vast and deeply entrenched system of sexual exploitation.” She recounted memories from the early days at the Bunkyo office, recalling the names of many who had worked alongside them, expressing heartfelt gratitude and appreciation.
“Thank you for everything. Please keep doing your best,” said Miyamoto-san in a short yet powerful message—words that seemed to capture both the journey PAPS has taken and the future that lies ahead.
Throughout March, PAPS continued its tireless work—providing consultations, advocating for policy change, conducting outreach, and submitting takedown requests. While the chapter of one supporter quietly came to a close, a new step is being taken by those who carry on the mission. As the cherry blossoms bloom, we hope you all take good care of yourselves and welcome this new spring with us.
Your support brings healing to those affected by sexual exploitation. Your contributions are a powerful force in the fight to end it.
With just 1,000 yen per month (about 33 yen a day), you can help provide a safe and secure place to stay for women who have nowhere to go—even for just one day a year. 
Just 3,000 yen a month enables us to maintain a lifeline for victims of digital sexual violence for one day annually. 
Just 500 yen a month can make it possible to accompany and support one young woman reached through our nightlife outreach, once a year