ZOE Japan - Let's stop child trafficking!

In this episode, ZOE Japan explores the growing trend of young Japanese women being recruited for overseas opportunities and the risks that can sometimes lead to exploitation and trafficking. Drawing on frontline observations, our team discusses common vulnerability factors, including debt bondage, financial pressures, abusive family backgrounds, and the influence of host clubs and chika idol culture.

We examine how online intermediaries market overseas opportunities, why some women may not recognize the dangers they face, and the realities of coercion, violence, and exploitation that can occur. Most importantly, we discuss practical ways families, churches, schools, and communities can help prevent trafficking by raising awareness and sharing resources with travelers.

This conversation is grounded in compassion for victims and offers hope by highlighting the support available through hotlines, victim services, and community organizations in both Japan and destination countries.

• Prevention Mini-book Order Form
• ZOE Japan Website

If you prefer an electronic version of the prevention booklet, please contact us via email at [email protected]

In this inspiring episode, David Cross, CEO of ZOE Australia, shares his powerful journey from a successful business career to the frontline of fighting child trafficking and exploitation.

What started as disbelief after a church sermon led David and his wife, Andrea, to leave everything behind and move to Thailand — dedicating over a decade to caring for rescued children and training local leaders through ZOE International. Their experience in restorative care revealed the deep healing possible when love, safety, and faith come together.

Now back in Australia, David and his team at ZOE are addressing the hidden reality of child exploitation in one of the world’s most developed nations. He exposes how trafficking often operates through psychological manipulation, not visible chains — and why education, prevention, and community awareness are key to protecting children.

Key Takeaways:

- Child trafficking exists everywhere — even in wealthy nations like Australia.

- Awareness, education, and early prevention save lives.

- Restorative care and trauma-informed support are essential for survivors.

- Every person can play a role: trust your instincts, report concerns, and be a safe, caring adult for the children around you.

David also highlights ZOE Australia’s initiatives — including free school curricula for teens and a child safety board game called Treehouse — designed to equip communities to recognize and prevent exploitation.

Though the fight is challenging, stories of transformation show that healing and restoration are possible. “ZOE means life,” David reminds us — and every rescued child deserves the chance to live it abundantly.

Get Involved:

Pray, learn, and take action to protect children in your community.

Learn more at goZOE.jp | goZOE.org.au

Other resources from ZOE Australia:

Treehouse game: https://www.gozoe.org.au/treehouse-game/

Curriculum Year 9 & 10: https://www.gozoe.org.au/curriculum-download/

#ChildTrafficking #ZOEJapanPodcast #ZOEAustralia #EndChildExploitation #HumanTraffickingAwareness #FaithInAction #RestorativeCare #ChildProtection

Host Clubs in Japan are often hotbeds for trafficking of young women and even children.

Are these hosts traffickers, buyers, innocent and charming young men or victims themselves?

Join the ZOE team as we explore these questions together and expose the dark underbelly of this glitzy and glamorous industry.

We also encourage you to read our Blog post on this topic:

Tokyo Hosts: a world of glamor and despair

To learn more about human trafficking in Japan, please go to our website: goZOE.jp

Together, we can reach every person and rescue every child.

Join us as we tune in to part 2 of an interview with Mariko Yamaoka from Not For Sale Japan about the exploitation of students that are studying and working in Japan under a student visa.

To report labor trafficking in your community, please go to:

• Are your working conditions fair? See page 14 for hotline support for foreign workers in multiple languages established by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare.
• Solidarity Network with Migrants in Japan

Join us as we tune in to a past interview with Mariko Yamaoka from Not For Sale Japan about the exploitation of foreign migrant workers in Japan under the Technical Intern Training Program.

To report labor trafficking in your community, please go to:

• 総合労働相談コーナーのご案内｜厚生労働省
• Are your working conditions fair? See page 14 for hotline support for foreign workers in multiple languages established by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare.
• Solidarity Network with Migrants in Japan

What is Virtual Child Sexual Abuse Material (previously known as Child Pornography)? Is sexual content in Japanese manga and anime legal? What is the impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on child sexual exploitation?

Join the ZOE Japan team as we discuss old and new trends related to virtual CSAM.

• INHOPE - INHOPE has more than 50 member hotlines around the world that receive, analyze and issue take-down notices for child sexual abuse material reported by the general public. If you see any potential child sexual abuse material on the internet or social media, please use this link to find a hotline in your country and submit the URL for further analysis.
• Internet Hotline Center - The Internet Hotline Center (IHC) receives reports of potential child sexual abuse material from the general public, issues take down notices to platforms where the content is hosted, and transfers leads to the National Police Agency for further investigation. Their website supports English and Japanese languages.

Hotlines from all over the world are reporting the same thing...

A dramatic increase in online financial extortion/sextortion cases of children from all ages, economic backgrounds, cultures, languages and genders. Every child (0-18yrs) with access to a mobile device or the internet is at risk.

Join the ZOE Japan team to learn more about typical perpetrator tactics, tips on how to keep your child safe and much more!

• Free resources for parents - Download our free Internet Safety Guide and other resources for parents, no registration required.
• Take It Down
• INHOPE - INHOPE has more than 50 member hotlines around the world that receive, analyze and issue take-down notices for child sexual abuse material reported by the general public. If you see any potential child sexual abuse material on the internet or social media, please use this link to find a hotline in your country and submit the URL for further analysis.
• Internet Hotline Center - The Internet Hotline Center (IHC) receives reports of potential child sexual abuse material from the general public, issues take down notices to platforms where the content is hosted, and transfers leads to the National Police Agency for further investigation. Their website supports English and Japanese languages.

For more information or support, please visit eng.goZOE.jp or email us at [email protected]

Boys can be victims of sex trafficking too! In this episode, learn more about the cultural perspective that prevent boys from being recognized as survivors of child trafficking, and how perpetrators use online games to lure them.

To sponsor a prevention campaign on social media, please make a donation to eng.goZOE.jp/donate and remember to specify SNS in the notes section.

Follow us on social media!

Website: eng.goZOE.jp

Twitter: ZOEJapan7

Instagram: zoe_japan

Join Annerie, Yuri and our guest speaker, Chris Miyamoto, as we discuss ways in which online traffickers target children and teens, and share some practical tips for parents to keep children safe!

Be sure to download the free internet safety guide from our website (also available in Japanese).

Japan is infamous for its sexual objectification of school girls. Join us to learn more about the dangerous world of compensated dating, JK businesses and the profile of victims that are trapped in this industry.

Music video link: https://youtu.be/6xbRRC8dl1E

ZOE Japan is part of ZOE International, a non-profit organization that works to end child trafficking in three ways: prevention, rescue, and restoration. Our goal is to rescue children from human traffickers and provide them with opportunities and support for a new path and future. 

Through these podcast episodes, you will learn more about child trafficking in Japan, how to recognize vulnerable children and situations, and how you can collaborate with ZOE to reach every person and rescue every child. 

We would love to hear from you! Please share your feedback via e-mail to [email protected] in English or Japanese, or contact us through our various social media channels listed below. 

For more information about ZOE, please go to:

Website:  gozoe.org or gozoe.jp 

Instagram@zoe_Japan 

Facebook@ZOEJapan

ZOE Japan

Reaching every person. Rescuing every child.