Tokyo Survey: In fiscal 2023, a record 320 Japanese public school teachers were disciplined for sexual offenses.

320 public school teachers were disciplined for sexual crimes or sexual violence against children and students in fiscal 2023, the most since the current statistics started being gathered in fiscal 2011, according to a survey conducted by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology.

The ministry claims that 320 teachers at public elementary, junior high, and high schools in Japan were disciplined for sexual offenses, sexual violence, and sexual harassment after a survey of 67 boards of education across the country’s 47 prefectures.

Compared to the prior fiscal year, this represents a 79 percent increase.

According to the ministry, 17 teachers had their pay reduced, 69 were suspended, and 195 were fired for their offenses. In terms of age, 105 educators were in their 20s, 86 in their 30s, 51 in their 40s and 78 over 50.

Of these, 157 people committed acts of sexual violence against children or students, 1o1 were disciplined for lewd acts, 17 for violations of the Child Pornography Prohibition Act, 32 for molestation or voyeurism and seven for obscene remarks and behavior.

In addition, more than half of the total offenses were against children at the schools where the teachers worked.