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Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has called for stronger family, school, and community efforts to protect children from crime, online exploitation, and delinquency during the summer holidays.
In a post shared on X, Takaichi said the summer break, while enjoyable for children, is also a period when the risk of juvenile victimisation and delinquency tends to increase because daily routines are disrupted and children have greater freedom of movement.
She noted growing concerns linked to the widespread use of smartphones and social networking services (SNS), warning that children are increasingly vulnerable to online trouble, sexual victimisation, fraud and the leakage of personal information.
Takaichi also pointed to risks beyond the internet, including late-night wandering and inducement into drug use, which she described as threats to children’s healthy development.
“Additionally, late-night wandering and enticements into drug use are major issues that threaten children’s healthy development,” she said.
She stressed that protecting children requires coordinated action from families, schools and local communities.
In particular, she urged parents and guardians to discuss internet safety rules with their children, including using filtering tools and basic precautions, such as avoiding meeting strangers or sharing personal information online.
“In your household, I encourage you to take the opportunity to discuss with your children rules for internet use, the use of filtering, and promises such as ‘don’t meet with strangers’ and ‘don’t share personal information,'” she said.
The message also directed parents and guardians to government resources designed to help protect children from online dangers.
These include guidance from the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare on creating a safe and secure social environment for youth, as well as resources from the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications on internet trouble cases and filtering tools.
“Please take a look and make use of it for supervision in your household and community,” Takachi Sanae said.
Japan has designated July as National Awareness Month for Preventing Juvenile Victimisation and Delinquency to promote nationwide efforts to prevent children from becoming victims of crime or engaging in delinquent behaviour.
The campaign typically emphasises the role of parents, schools, community groups and government agencies in creating a safe environment for young people, particularly during the summer months when children spend more time outside regular school supervision.
