Sextortion Surge Targets Young Men in Japan

A sharp rise in sexual extortion, known as sextortion, is targeting young men in Japan. A leading support group warns the threat is rampant and urges people never to share explicit content online. Sextortion is a crime where someone is tricked into sending intimate photos or videos. The perpetrator then threatens to publish the material unless the victim pays money or provides sexual favors. The Tokyo-based NGO Paps reported 2,200 new cases in 2023. This figure represents a dramatic increase and reveals a crisis predominantly affecting male victims. The group stresses that digital content is nearly impossible to erase once shared. They advise complete avoidance as the only sure defense, reminding the public that these digital footprints are permanent.