Lighthouse: Center for Human Trafficking Victims

Lighthouse: Center for Human Trafficking Victims (Japanese: 人身取引被害者サポートセンター　ライトハウス) is a nonprofit organization based in Tokyo, Japan working to eradicate human trafficking and modern day slavery. It used to be known as "Polaris Project Japan" (ポラリスプロジェクトジャパン).

Lighthouse: Center for Human Trafficking Victims
FormationAugust 2004 (2004-08)
FounderShihoko Fujiwara
TypeNGO
PurposeCombat human trafficking and slavery
HeadquartersTokyo, Japan
Location
  • Japan
Region served
Japan
Official language
Japanese
Director
Shihoko Fujiwara
Main organ
Board of Directors
WebsiteOfficial website

History and purpose

Lighthouse was founded in August 2004 by Shihoko Fujiwara. The following year, Lighthouse established the only nationwide consultation hotline for trafficking victims and those wishing to report possible trafficking activity in Japan. Since then, the consultation hotline has been used as a source of trafficking tips throughout the nation.[1] The hotline provides consultations to about a hundred victims or family members annually.[2]

In addition to maintaining its consultation and tip hotline, the organization engages in public awareness and advocacy work. For example, the Director called for materials involving children under 18 clearly created for the purpose of fulfilling sexual excitement to be regulated as child pornography.[3]

Honorable recognition

In 2011, Lighthouse's Director and Founder Shihoko Fujiwara was named one of the "100 People Remaking Japan"[4] by Aera Magazine, and in 2012 she spoke about the Japanese sex trade at the TED@Tokyo Talent search.[5]

References
  1. Smart, Richard. "A light of hope for abused children: How the Polaris Project helped police score a rare victory against sexual predators". The Japan Times. Retrieved 14 August 2012.
  2. "「令状なき捜索」に懸念 京都府の児童ポルノ規制条例". Asahi Shinbun. 8 October 2011. Archived from the original on 30 March 2012. Retrieved 24 August 2012.
  3. Justin McCurry (2015-10-27). "Japan urged to ban manga child abuse images". The Guardian. Retrieved 2015-11-26.
  4. Ota, Masahiko. "100 People Remaking Japan". AERA Magazine, December 2011. Asahi Shimbun Publications Inc. Archived from the original on 20 April 2012. Retrieved 24 August 2012.
  5. Fujiwara, Shihoko. "We Can't Ignore the Sex Trade". TED Global Talent Search. TED. Retrieved 27 August 2012.
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