28-05-2025
Japan elementary school teacher sacked for allegedly possessing 500 child porn videos
SAGA -- A 37-year-old teacher at an elementary school in Karatsu, Saga Prefecture, was handed disciplinary dismissal May 27 for allegedly possessing about 500 child pornography videos, the prefectural education board announced the same day.
The education board determined that the teacher's action constituted discreditable conduct stipulated in the Local Public Service Act.
According to the board, the teacher had received videos from multiple individuals he met on social media since around January 2024. He also distributed videos to multiple people, although none were reportedly self-produced.
The issue came to light when he reported to the school that he had been questioned by the police. He was quoted as saying, "I sincerely apologize to the children and guardians who were hurt by my inappropriate actions." This is apparently the first disciplinary action related to child porn in the prefecture in at least the past five years.
(Japanese original by Takaharu Nishi, Saga Bureau)
