Japanese Elementary School Teachers Arrested for Sharing Upskirt Photos in Group Chat

NAGOYA, Aichi Prefecture — Two Japanese elementary school teachers were arrested in late June after police discovered a private messaging group in which they shared indecent photographs of young female students. The arrests have prompted widespread concern about student safety and teacher misconduct in classrooms.

Investigators allege that Yuji Moriyama, 42, from Nagoya, and Fumiya Kosemura, 37, from Kanagawa Prefecture, used school events and daily classroom activities to take upskirt photos and secret footage of girls in their uniforms. Moriyama is believed to have captured many of the images using a school-issued digital camera, then distributed about 70 photos and videos—including content of children changing clothes—and even deepfake-style manipulated images in a private chat group he managed.

Police say approximately eight other educators, both elementary and junior high teachers, participated in the group chat. Messages showed members praising the illicit content, indicating a disturbing culture of normalized misconduct among some school staffers.

Parents have expressed outrage and betrayal. “He was a cheerful, trusted teacher—this is disgusting,” one mother told reporters after attending a school briefing in Nagoya. She added, “I now have to wonder what’s happening behind closed doors.” Schools have since suspended photo policies and begun reviewing digital device usage and photo consent procedures.

The case came to light after Osaka police discovered connections to another teacher arrested earlier this year for a separate school-related sexual offense. In response, local education boards in Aichi and Kanagawa have pledged stricter controls on camera access, increased training on ethics and boundaries for staff, and external audits of school-issued devices.

Experts caution that this incident highlights broader issues in Japan’s educational system regarding teacher accountability and digital ethics. In 2024, the Japanese Diet passed legislation introducing enhanced background checks for all school staff under a child-safety screening system comparable to Britain’s DBS system. Although this new framework isn’t yet fully operational, this scandal underscores the urgent need for its implementation.

Child safety advocates are calling for nationwide reforms, including regular inspections for hidden recording devices, mandatory reporting mechanisms, and transparent communication with parents about safety protocols. “Schools must actively promote countermeasures and prioritize students’ trust,” said Mieko Miyata, head of a nonprofit focused on children’s safety.

With criminal charges now pending, the arrested teachers face up to three years in prison or fines under Japan’s voyeurism laws. Police investigations continue as authorities work to identify all participants and prevent further violations of student privacy.