The number of elementary school children in Japan who became victims of sex crimes and other offenses through social media totaled 167 in 2025, the highest level in the past 10 years for which data is available, the National Police Agency (NPA) said Thursday.
The figure rose by about 20% from the previous year.
As the age of victims is believed to be decreasing, the agency plans to monitor social media posts and issue warnings against enticing messages.
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