Japan to Promote Real-Time Sharing of Child Abuse Information

From Jiji

December 25 2023

TOKYO – The Japanese government plans to promote the sharing of information on child abuse in real time between child consultation centers and police. 

The measure, aimed at avoiding delays in responses to serious incidents due to lack of cooperation, will be taken as the extent of information-sharing varies by region.

The government will cover half of the costs for setting up devices needed for real-time information sharing at police stations and updating computer systems at child consultation centers in willing municipalities.

The government earmarked 350 million yen for related expenses in its fiscal 2023 supplementary budget enacted late last month. It has issued a notice calling for active use of the subsidy.

“By eliminating lags in obtaining information on child abuse, we can prevent cases from being overlooked and smooth away differences in awareness” among relevant institutions, an official at the Children and Families Agency said.