Chief Cabinet Secretary Kihara Holds 13th Human Trafficking Council Meeting
Overview
On September 15, 2026, the 13th Council for the Promotion of Measures to Combat Human Trafficking was held to discuss the draft Action Plan 2026 for Measures to Combat Human Trafficking and other matters. The Japanese government is advancing stronger measures across a wide range of areas, including identifying, protecting, and supporting victims; immigration and residency management; criminal enforcement; and international cooperation. In particular, in light of the increase in cases involving Japanese victims, the draft also includes consideration of measures against malicious host clubs and the appropriate regulation of prostitution and related activities.
Key points
- The draft Action Plan 2026 for Measures to Combat Human Trafficking was compiled, and efforts to further strengthen countermeasures will be advanced.
- In light of the increase in cases and the proportion of cases in which Japanese people are victims, a wide range of initiatives related to sexual exploitation was included.
- The Japanese government will advance efforts as a whole to understand the actual situation, identify, protect, and support victims, enforce criminal laws, and cooperate with foreign governments.
Overview
On September 15, 2026, Chief Cabinet Secretary Kihara held the 13th Council for the Promotion of Measures to Combat Human Trafficking at the Prime Minister's Office and discussed the draft Action Plan 2026 for Measures to Combat Human Trafficking and other matters.
The Japanese government regards human trafficking as a serious human rights violation and a common challenge requiring coordinated efforts by the international community, and compiled a draft action plan to further strengthen countermeasures.
Impact
Human trafficking causes victims severe psychological and physical suffering, and recovery is considered extremely difficult. It can occur across national borders, making prompt, accurate responses and cooperation by the international community necessary.
Details
The draft action plan includes initiatives related to human trafficking for the purpose of sexual exploitation, such as promoting measures against malicious host clubs and advancing necessary consideration of the appropriate regulation of prostitution and related activities in light of recent social conditions and other factors.
The relevant ministers were asked to promote efforts to understand the actual situation in cooperation with the international community, prevent human trafficking through immigration and residency management, identify, protect, and support victims while keeping in mind the highly latent nature of human trafficking, and enforce laws against domestic and cross-border crimes. They were also asked to strengthen cooperation and support with foreign governments, including those of Asian countries, thereby building the foundation for these efforts.