Based in Tokyo, Polaris Project Japan was launched in 2004 to address human trafficking and the commercial sexual exploitation of children (CSEC) in Japan. Many years later, Polaris Project Japan is still the only NGO in Japan solely dedicated to combating all forms of human trafficking. We are a leading voice for victims of human trafficking and for calling attention to this human rights issue. Based on our past work and the depth of our engagement on this issue, we are considered by many in the government and social service sector to be experts on human trafficking in Japan.
Polaris Project Japan has seven main program areas that together create a comprehensive approach to combat human trafficking in Japan.
Case Management Services
Polaris Project provides services for victims of human trafficking and CSEC. In 2009, we provided 25 victims with social services and advocacy, which included providing emotional support, helping victims navigate immigration issues, helping victims find medical and mental health assistance, and helping to coordinate legal assistance. Most of the victims that we served were victims of sex trafficking or CSEC and were either Japanese youth (under age 18) or foreign national adult women.
Hotline
Polaris Project operates the only hotline in Japan dedicated to human trafficking and CSEC. In 2009, we received 348 calls. We received calls directly from victims looking for assistance, from family members or friends of victims, from various community members, and from service providers to medical professionals looking for information on human trafficking.
Policy Advocacy
Polaris Project recognizes the importance of advocating for systemic policy change as an essential part of our mission. Without the development of long-term solutions to address human trafficking in Japan, the number of victims identified in Japan will continue to increase. Polaris Project is part of a voluntary coalition called the Japan Network Against Trafficking in Persons (JNATIP) which consists of attorneys, other NGOs, business leaders, and other community members who advocate for the Japanese government to take a stronger stance to address human trafficking and CSEC. JNATIP is currently advocating for the development of a stronger anti-child pornography law that will no longer allow possession of child pornography to be legal in Japan. Through JNATIP, Polaris Project Japan is also advocating for a strengthening of the national human trafficking law to better address domestic trafficking, the labor "trainees" program, and immigration remedies for foreign national victims found in Japan. Additionally, JNATIP is calling for better implementation of existing laws and for the national action plan on human trafficking developed in 2005 and redeveloped in 2009 to be actualized by the government.
Training
Polaris Project conducts trainings on human trafficking for law enforcement, government officials, embassies, teachers, service providers, and other community members. In 2009, we trained nearly 3,000 people and also revised training manuals for both law enforcement and social service providers.
Community Education
In addition to the trainings that Polaris Project Japan provides, we also provide shorter seminars once a month about various topics related to human trafficking and CSEC. These seminars are open to the public and typically attract a diverse audience of 50+ attendees. These seminars encourage deeper community awareness on the issues of human trafficking and CSEC, both topics that are rarely discussed in Japan.
Youth Prevention
Last year, Polaris Project launched a website focused on prevention for youth who are at high risk for sex trafficking and CSEC (www.pol214.com). The website recognizes that many of young people’s social interactions and information gathering is now occurring on-line. Therefore, the program reaches out to them through the same medium to offer advice and a safe forum to ask questions or leave feedback for staff to respond to. The site also has materials for adults, teachers, and service providers who may be working with at-risk youth and want to learn more about how to protect them from sexual exploitation.
Corporate Engagement
As part of our efforts to create long-term changes Polaris Project Japan also recognizes the importance of engaging corporations who are involved with objectionable practices related to human trafficking or CSEC. A recent example of this was our campaign with Amazon Japan to stop selling “Junior Idol” magazines and videos which contain sexually exploitative photos or videos of young children. We contacted Amazon about this concern and worked with them to remove several thousand Junior Idol products from their website.
