Japan: Japan recorded the highest-ever number of child abuse cases in 2024, with police handling 2,649 incidents, the National Police Agency said Wednesday. This number represents a significant 11.1% increase compared to the previous year, marking the largest annual total since records began.

According to Anadolu Agency, out of the 2,649 cases, 2,136 involved physical abuse, 431 were classified as sexual abuse, 54 as psychological abuse, and 28 as negligence. The police also recorded 32 cases of child murder, highlighting the severity of the situation.

The total number of child abuse victims reported to police reached 2,700 in 2024, representing a 285% increase from the previous year. The number of child deaths linked to abuse stood at 52, underscoring the tragic outcomes of such incidents.

Authorities received 122,378 notifications of suspected abuse from child guidance centers, showing a slight decrease of 0.3% from 2023. Despite this minor decline, the overall figures indicate a worsening trend in child abuse cases in Japan.