We gather here today to urgently call for an end to the inhumane crime of human trafficking. With heartfelt prayers for all those who have suffered from this grave violation, we firmly express our opposition to any act that threatens the equal ａｎｄ inherent dignity of life through trafficking in persons.

Human trafficking is often referred to as modern-day slavery. It is an act of exploitation that disregards human rights, using physical ａｎｄ psychological violence as means of control. It is driven by the intent to exploit, ａｎｄ it is exacerbated by armed conflicts, war, climate change, ａｎｄ gender inequality. Perpetrators ａｎｄ trafficking networks prey upon the vulnerabilities of individuals ａｎｄ take advantage of unequal social conditions to commit acts such as sexual exploitation, forced labor, ａｎｄ organ trafficking—all without the consent of the victims.

According to the 2024 Trafficking in Persons Report issued by the U.S. Department of State, it is estimated that 27 million people globally are victims of labor, services, ａｎｄ commercial sexual exploitation. Japan’s ranking has remained stagnant for five consecutive years, deemed as “not fully meeting the minimum stands.” Because human trafficking often occurs in the shadows, these numbers only reveal the tip of the iceberg. In reality, far more individuals around the world continue to suffer.

As global labor migration increases in pursuit of better wages ａｎｄ livelihoods, the lack of fairness in managing ａｎｄ protecting workers’ rights has become a serious issue. In Japan, a young man from abroad, hoping to support his family, entered the country under the Technical Intern Training Program. Before arriving, he was burdened with enormous debt, ａｎｄ after arriving, he was forced to work in exploitative conditions. As a foreigner, he endured discrimination, violence, ａｎｄ bullying, which deeply hurt him both physically ａｎｄ emotionally. In his words, “I just want to be treated as a human being.”

With regard to sexual exploitation, there is growing concern over the rise in cases of sextortion—a form of sexual extortion where victims are coerced into sending explicit images ａｎｄ are then blackmailed under threat of exposure. Many victims are women ａｎｄ children. Under the harsh weight of societal blame, victims are often silenced. One woman tearfully shared, “It was only after I experienced exploitation that I realized how deeply sexuality ａｎｄ human dignity are connected.”

The more we learn about the current realities, the more we feel the gravity of this issue. We have come to recognize the importance of not turning away from injustices ａｎｄ exploitation in our society, not dismissing them as “inevitable,” but rather, constantly reflecting ａｎｄ choosing to take action. It is vital that we remain engaged with empathy ａｎｄ responsibility.

On this day, at the Roundtable for Human dignity: Toward the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, we reaffirm our deep commitment to the equal dignity of all lives. We pledge to listen to the voices of the voiceless, ａｎｄ to continue offering our prayers, dialogue, ａｎｄ actions toward a world where no one is left behind.

July 27, 2025