Upskirting is the act of secretly taking photos or videos of someone's underwear or genitals under their skirt without their consent. It is a form of sexual harassment and invasion of privacy that can cause psychological distress and humiliation to the victims. In Japan, upskirting has been a widespread problem for decades, especially in crowded public places like trains, buses, and escalators. Many perpetrators use smartphones, cameras, or even spy gadgets to capture images of unsuspecting women and girls. Some of them upload the images online or sell them to pornographic websites.
In June 2019, Japan passed a law to ban upskirting and make it punishable by up to six months in prison or a fine of up to 500,000 yen (about $4,600). The law also covers downblousing, which is taking photos or videos of someone's chest area without their consent. The law was welcomed by many activists and victims who had been campaigning for stronger measures against upskirting for years. They argued that the previous legal framework was inadequate and ineffective, as it only criminalized upskirting when it was done for sexual gratification or with the intention of distributing the images. This made it difficult to prove the motive of the offenders and to prosecute them.
However, some critics have pointed out that the new law still has some loopholes and limitations. For example, the law does not apply to upskirting that is done for artistic or journalistic purposes, which could be abused by some offenders. Moreover, the law does not address the issue of voyeurism in other situations, such as changing rooms, bathrooms, or hotels. Furthermore, the law does not provide any support or protection for the victims of upskirting, such as counseling, compensation, or removal of the images from the internet.
Therefore, while the ban on upskirting is a positive step forward in combating sexual harassment and protecting women's rights in Japan, it is not enough to solve the problem completely. There is still a need for more awareness and education on the issue, as well as more social and legal support for the victims. Upskirting is not a harmless prank or a joke; it is a serious violation of human dignity and privacy that should not be tolerated in any society.