Comments on: “Human Trafficking and Sexual Exploitation in Japan. The New Victims: Japanese Teenagers” http://www.japansubculture.com/2009/04/human-trafficking-and-sexual-exploitation-in-japan-the-new-victims-japanese-teenagers/ All the intriguing and seedy aspects that keep Japan running. Tue, 27 Jul 2010 19:27:24 +0000 hourly 1 By: Jake Adelstein http://www.japansubculture.com/2009/04/human-trafficking-and-sexual-exploitation-in-japan-the-new-victims-japanese-teenagers/comment-page-1/#comment-250 Jake Adelstein Tue, 02 Jun 2009 05:55:34 +0000 http://www.japansubculture.com/?p=255#comment-250 Thanks for sending the link and the commentary. It all comes down to this--traffickers look for the easiest people to victimize and those that are the cheapest to "buy" and maintain. It's no wonder they've started looking at younger girls as immigration gets stricter and other countries become more aware of the human trafficking menace. A few years ago I spoke to Andrew Vacchs, the writer about things like this. I thought he was exaggerating. I was wrong. Thanks for sending the link and the commentary. It all comes down to this–traffickers look for the easiest people to victimize and those that are the cheapest to “buy” and maintain. It’s no wonder they’ve started looking at younger girls as immigration gets stricter and other countries become more aware of the human trafficking menace. A few years ago I spoke to Andrew Vacchs, the writer about things like this. I thought he was exaggerating. I was wrong.

]]> By: MD http://www.japansubculture.com/2009/04/human-trafficking-and-sexual-exploitation-in-japan-the-new-victims-japanese-teenagers/comment-page-1/#comment-249 MD Mon, 01 Jun 2009 09:44:49 +0000 http://www.japansubculture.com/?p=255#comment-249 The same trend is happening in the U.S. where professional sexual traffickers are forcing teenage (and younger) American girls into sexual slavery. This is an older (2005) report on this situation in the U.S. http://www.humantrafficking.org/updates/278 I think most Americans are unaware of the existence of slavery and sexual slavery in the U.S. despite reports in the New York Times, The New Yorker, and attempts by church and other activist groups to raise awareness and activism to prevent abuse and victimization. The most shocking report I have seen recently was on a network news program featuring a high school student in Pensacola, Florida who was kidnapped by the pimp portrayed himself as the "father" of another teenage victim who was attending the student's school. She was held captive, was not allowed to drink or eat, and was given drugs while being gang-raped for days. The local police refused to get involved so her family had to create a "posse" to look for her and miraculously her brother found her, almost unconscious, in the backseat of a car at a convenience store. The pimp was transporting her to Texas after selling her on the internet. The reporter said that Pensacola is one of the trafficking centers in the U.S. and that there's a circular corridor where pimps bring their (mostly teenage and younger) victims that goes along the east and west coasts, through Chicago on the north side and Atlanta on the south. Media reports say that traffickers prefer younger victims because they are easier to control than mature women. Japan, the U.S., Russia and the rest of the world needs much more reporting like your's. Thanks for your reporting. The same trend is happening in the U.S. where professional sexual traffickers are forcing teenage (and younger) American girls into sexual slavery.

This is an older (2005) report on this situation in the U.S. http://www.humantrafficking.org/updates/278

I think most Americans are unaware of the existence of slavery and sexual slavery in the U.S. despite reports in the New York Times, The New Yorker, and attempts by church and other activist groups to raise awareness and activism to prevent abuse and victimization. The most shocking report I have seen recently was on a network news program featuring a high school student in Pensacola, Florida who was kidnapped by the pimp portrayed himself as the “father” of another teenage victim who was attending the student’s school. She was held captive, was not allowed to drink or eat, and was given drugs while being gang-raped for days. The local police refused to get involved so her family had to create a “posse” to look for her and miraculously her brother found her, almost unconscious, in the backseat of a car at a convenience store. The pimp was transporting her to Texas after selling her on the internet. The reporter said that Pensacola is one of the trafficking centers in the U.S. and that there’s a circular corridor where pimps bring their (mostly teenage and younger) victims that goes along the east and west coasts, through Chicago on the north side and Atlanta on the south.

Media reports say that traffickers prefer younger victims because they are easier to control than mature women.

Japan, the U.S., Russia and the rest of the world needs much more reporting like your’s. Thanks for your reporting.

]]> By: Jake Adelstein http://www.japansubculture.com/2009/04/human-trafficking-and-sexual-exploitation-in-japan-the-new-victims-japanese-teenagers/comment-page-1/#comment-246 Jake Adelstein Sun, 17 May 2009 04:18:46 +0000 http://www.japansubculture.com/?p=255#comment-246 I'm not sure what you're trying to say. Certainly, I wonder about imposing Western values on Japan. The sexual mores of the Japanese people are different from those in the United States--and rightfully so. However, I think the fundamental issue being discussed here is that you have some young women who are being duped, coerced or forced into having sex with male customers when they don't wish to do so. And they are not paid. That's sexual slavery. Certainly, this is not a good thing. If a woman or a man, wants to offer sexual services and be paid for it--well, personally, I don't see much of a problem with that. The problem comes when anti-social forces exploit those people and rob them of their earnings. When you take away someone's right to say no, their freedom of movement, and force them to work with little or no compensation--I think that constitutes slavery. The unpaid services in this case including having sexual intercourse with members of the opposite sex, without sufficient protection (from violence or disease) or the right to demand such protection. It doesn't sound like "fun" to me. The other problem is that there is little support for victims of domestic trafficking or awareness that these girls may not be willingly engaged in the sex industry. I think that if Japan hadn't received such a blast of shame-inducing reporting about their lax attitudes towards human trafficking--that no new laws would have gone on the books. I think you'd still see 13 year old girls Thai girls being held captive and forced to service ten or more men a night. I think outside criticism has some value. It got Japan to also outlaw the production and selling of child pornography. Although, because Japan values personal freedom--it's still okay to own child pornography. I don't think semi-legal child-porn is such a great thing either but perhaps I'm being unfair to Japanese society and the government. I’m not sure what you’re trying to say. Certainly, I wonder about imposing Western values on Japan. The sexual mores of the Japanese people are different from those in the United States–and rightfully so. However, I think the fundamental issue being discussed here is that you have some young women who are being duped, coerced or forced into having sex with male customers when they don’t wish to do so. And they are not paid. That’s sexual slavery. Certainly, this is not a good thing.
If a woman or a man, wants to offer sexual services and be paid for it–well, personally, I don’t see much of a problem with that. The problem comes when anti-social forces exploit those people and rob them of their earnings. When you take away someone’s right to say no, their freedom of movement, and force them to work with little or no compensation–I think that constitutes slavery. The unpaid services in this case including having sexual intercourse with members of the opposite sex, without sufficient protection (from violence or disease) or the right to demand such protection.
It doesn’t sound like “fun” to me.
The other problem is that there is little support for victims of domestic trafficking or awareness that these girls may not be willingly engaged in the sex industry. I think that if Japan hadn’t received such a blast of shame-inducing reporting about their lax attitudes towards human trafficking–that no new laws would have gone on the books. I think you’d still see 13 year old girls Thai girls being held captive and forced to service ten or more men a night. I think outside criticism has some value. It got Japan to also outlaw the production and selling of child pornography. Although, because Japan values personal freedom–it’s still okay to own child pornography.
I don’t think semi-legal child-porn is such a great thing either but perhaps I’m being unfair to Japanese society and the government.

]]> By: jakk http://www.japansubculture.com/2009/04/human-trafficking-and-sexual-exploitation-in-japan-the-new-victims-japanese-teenagers/comment-page-1/#comment-245 jakk Sun, 17 May 2009 03:58:11 +0000 http://www.japansubculture.com/?p=255#comment-245 This is a sign that a lot of people have a bit too much time on their hands with nothing to do except "think that they can help..." Mind your own business I say, every attempt at reaching out to a Japanese woman is interpreted as being negative or hurtfull -- Before you as*holes came around demanding that Japan stop doing this or that, it was fun to meet Japanese ladies. They happen to be self assured, not insecure like Americans, fun to be with and truly know how to enjoy a good time and have a heart to get serious with an American man -- The last Japanese woman I dated from 2007 till now was fine until she came across folks like you!! Leave your citizens alone to do what they want -- I wanted a loving wife and she a very good emotionally strong happy man-- she left only out of fears planted in her head! I'll forever love Japan and all things Japanese but the social legalism has gone too far -- Americans f*ck up everything especially the liberal ones! This is a sign that a lot of people have a bit too much time on their hands with nothing to do except “think that they can help…” Mind your own business I say, every attempt at reaching out to a Japanese woman is interpreted as being negative or hurtfull — Before you as*holes came around demanding that Japan stop doing this or that, it was fun to meet Japanese ladies. They happen to be self assured, not insecure like Americans, fun to be with and truly know how to enjoy a good time and have a heart to get serious with an American man — The last Japanese woman I dated from 2007 till now was fine until she came across folks like you!! Leave your citizens alone to do what they want — I wanted a loving wife and she a very good emotionally strong happy man– she left only out of fears planted in her head! I’ll forever love Japan and all things Japanese but the social legalism has gone too far — Americans f*ck up everything especially the liberal ones!

]]> By: Jake Adelstein http://www.japansubculture.com/2009/04/human-trafficking-and-sexual-exploitation-in-japan-the-new-victims-japanese-teenagers/comment-page-1/#comment-233 Jake Adelstein Mon, 04 May 2009 04:46:38 +0000 http://www.japansubculture.com/?p=255#comment-233 I'll send your information over to the director. Do you speak any foreign languages besides Japanese? It could be useful. I’ll send your information over to the director. Do you speak any foreign languages besides Japanese? It could be useful.

]]> By: Mari Krueger http://www.japansubculture.com/2009/04/human-trafficking-and-sexual-exploitation-in-japan-the-new-victims-japanese-teenagers/comment-page-1/#comment-232 Mari Krueger Mon, 04 May 2009 04:35:11 +0000 http://www.japansubculture.com/?p=255#comment-232 Thanks for writing this post. I covered human trafficking in the Southern U.S. when I was a reporter. I live near Tokyo now; how can I help with the Polaris Project? Thanks for writing this post. I covered human trafficking in the Southern U.S. when I was a reporter. I live near Tokyo now; how can I help with the Polaris Project?

]]> By: Jake Adelstein http://www.japansubculture.com/2009/04/human-trafficking-and-sexual-exploitation-in-japan-the-new-victims-japanese-teenagers/comment-page-1/#comment-210 Jake Adelstein Sun, 05 Apr 2009 05:37:53 +0000 http://www.japansubculture.com/?p=255#comment-210 E-san, I think that's a great idea. I'll suggest to the director that we try and set up a way to conduct seminars of sorts at schools in Tokyo. Perhaps the police would be on board with that as well. A very good suggestion. E-san,
I think that’s a great idea. I’ll suggest to the director that we try and set up a way to conduct seminars of sorts at schools in Tokyo. Perhaps the police would be on board with that as well.
A very good suggestion.

]]> By: Emily Cadwell http://www.japansubculture.com/2009/04/human-trafficking-and-sexual-exploitation-in-japan-the-new-victims-japanese-teenagers/comment-page-1/#comment-209 Emily Cadwell Sun, 05 Apr 2009 04:01:08 +0000 http://www.japansubculture.com/?p=255#comment-209 Would it be more effective if this issue was addressed at junior high and high schools? Homerooms already address STDs to some extent, but how about giving students information about these scams, and places to contact to go to if they are facing abuse, because as a teacher right now I see several students who seem to be suffering from abuse, but because it is too shameful the teachers pretend they can't see it and consider it a private matter. If this was talked about in school then this could help prevent the ignorance that lures girls in, and the shame that keeps them trapped while other grown ups in their lives "hear no evil and see no evil". When teachers know something is wrong, but they remain silent, silence only adds to the shame. Teachers could be encouraged to watch for signs of abuse and to act, perhaps some information could be mailed out to schools. They do it with health hygene campaigns with the school nurse, and this is also about health, but emotional health. There is one girl at my school who never speaks or looks at anyone, or goes to the bathroom because she screams in terror if she goes near it. The teachers want to put her in the special-ed class, but her parents refuse. This seems like an abuse victim to me. Instead of contemplating that the student might suffer abuse at her home, her homeroom teacher resents having a "not good" student in her class and purposely does things do embaress that student in front of the other students because she is mad that this "dumb" student messes up her perfect classroom, and has made several comments about how she wishes she wasn't in her class. To decrease this phenomenon from happening it has to be brought into the common knowledge of the targeted age group right? Education and absolving victims of shame and providing them with a viable option of a safe place to go and contact seems logical. Encouraging teachers to be sensitive and pro-active towards abused children seems important. It can be done, the special-ed students are treated with consideration and much of the shame has been taken away. The students and teachers all treat these students well. If mental-handicaps are starting to be destigmitized, then perhaps the schools can do this for abused children too? thank you. Would it be more effective if this issue was addressed at junior high and high schools? Homerooms already address STDs to some extent, but how about giving students information about these scams, and places to contact to go to if they are facing abuse, because as a teacher right now I see several students who seem to be suffering from abuse, but because it is too shameful the teachers pretend they can’t see it and consider it a private matter. If this was talked about in school then this could help prevent the ignorance that lures girls in, and the shame that keeps them trapped while other grown ups in their lives “hear no evil and see no evil”. When teachers know something is wrong, but they remain silent, silence only adds to the shame. Teachers could be encouraged to watch for signs of abuse and to act, perhaps some information could be mailed out to schools. They do it with health hygene campaigns with the school nurse, and this is also about health, but emotional health.
There is one girl at my school who never speaks or looks at anyone, or goes to the bathroom because she screams in terror if she goes near it. The teachers want to put her in the special-ed class, but her parents refuse. This seems like an abuse victim to me.
Instead of contemplating that the student might suffer abuse at her home, her homeroom teacher resents having a “not good” student in her class and purposely does things do embaress that student in front of the other students because she is mad that this “dumb” student messes up her perfect classroom, and has made several comments about how she wishes she wasn’t in her class.
To decrease this phenomenon from happening it has to be brought into the common knowledge of the targeted age group right? Education and absolving victims of shame and providing them with a viable option of a safe place to go and contact seems logical. Encouraging teachers to be sensitive and pro-active towards abused children seems important. It can be done, the special-ed students are treated with consideration and much of the shame has been taken away. The students and teachers all treat these students well. If mental-handicaps are starting to be destigmitized, then perhaps the schools can do this for abused children too?
thank you.

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