The Japanese government is set to introduce a new system to protect children from sex crimes, modeled after the UK’s Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). The system, expected to regulate up to 230,000 organizations, including schools, kids cafeterias, and talent agencies, will allow these groups to check the sex crime history of individuals working with children. The goal is to provide parents and guardians with peace of mind and prevent individuals with a history of sex crimes from working with children.
The system will be mandatory for schools and childcare facilities overseen by municipalities, while private businesses can opt-in after obtaining government certification. The certification process will involve meeting certain criteria, including dominance, continuity, and opaqueness, which refer to positions of power, the length of time organizations maintain close relationships with children, and the difficulty of monitoring the situation.
However, the adoption of the system may be hindered by concerns over the strict management of sensitive information and the risk of lawsuits. Organizations will need to handle sensitive information, such as histories of sexual offenses, and misuse of this data could lead to criminal penalties. Additionally, organizations may face challenges in determining how to handle employees with a history of sex crimes, as dismissals without reasonable grounds can be considered rights abuses.
To address these concerns, the government plans to create a certification mark for participating organizations and establish a consultation window where small organizations can seek advice from lawyers. Experts, such as Nihon University Prof. Kaori Suetomi, emphasize the importance of refining the system to make it easier for organizations to adopt and to build a detailed framework to prevent sexual violence against children.
The DBS system is set to launch on December 25, 2026, and the government aims to cast a wide net to block individuals with a history of sex crimes from working with children. While there are challenges to be addressed, the introduction of the system is a significant step towards protecting children from sexual predators and providing a safer environment for them to grow and develop.