A survey conducted by the Mainichi Shimbun has shown that more than 80% of school boards across Japan are not contemplating the addition of security cameras in classrooms, despite the troubling increase in sexual violence incidents involving teachers. Privacy issues were cited by many boards as a central reason for rejecting this preventive measure, exacerbating the challenge of ensuring student safety amid a waning trust in educators.
The survey, which took place in July, targeted educational boards in all 47 prefectures and in 20 major cities, gathering opinions on the potential installation of security cameras—an approach some private preparatory schools have adopted after similar incidents. After reaching out to all 67 local governments through phone and email, the results showed that none of the boards were actively pursuing camera installation, with five considering the advantages and disadvantages. An overwhelming 56 boards (approximately 84%) indicated they were not considering security cameras, while six gave various responses that didn't fit into the major categories.
In response to a prompt to choose between three positions regarding the installation of cameras—"in favor," "opposed," and "undecided"—no board expressed support, four were against, and the remaining 62 were uncertain. Chiba Prefecture was the only one unable to take a definitive stance. Despite recognizing that security cameras could serve as a deterrent to misconduct, many respondents voiced concerns over the potential invasion of students' privacy and the risk of recording creating an intimidating atmosphere for both students and teachers.
Recent arrests in cities like Nagoya and Yokohama highlight the severity of the issue, as teachers were apprehended for allegedly filming students and sharing the images on social media. Disturbing incidents of voyeurism and indecent behavior by teachers have emerged in various locations across Japan, prompting multiple arrests and raising alarms within educational institutions.
In response to these pressing concerns, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology issued a directive in July urging local education boards to implement measures to combat sexual violence, which include comprehensive training and regular school inspections. Notably, the ministry did not suggest the installation of security cameras as part of their strategy. During a post-Cabinet meeting in July, Education Minister Toshiko Abe remarked on the complexities surrounding the notion of camera surveillance in classrooms, emphasizing the difficulty of envisioning sexual abuse in the presence of multiple observers and questioning the appropriateness of constantly recording children's daily activities.
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