Japanese police to regulate dating sites

THE NATIONAL POLICE AGENCY (NPA) in Japan has released a damning report on online dating services. It has called for tight regulation to prevent the services being abused.

Online dating agencies might seem like a bit of harmless fun but trouble has been brewing in Japan where the agencies are being used as a base for child prostitution. The NPA said there were 813 criminal cases relating to online dating sites linked to child prostitution in 2002.

Many of the victims had accessed the dating agencies sites using mobiles phones. In response the NPA wants to ban anyone under 18 from accessing the sites and it has widespread public support. They also want to fine anyone who uses the dating services to solicit sex for money.

The NPA stressed the importance of parents, guardians, schools and even the mobile phone companies protecting youngsters. µ