This presentation addresses the critical issue of synthetic child sexual abuse material (CSAM) generation, with a specific focus on its escalation in the Asia-Pacific region, primarily driven by activities in Japan. Our independent research, which involved the analysis of over 1,000 global instances of synthetic CSAM, revealed that more than 90% of these cases originated from Japan. This significant data point underscores Japan's disproportionate role in fueling the international synthetic CSAM marketplace. The session will also examine the legal loopholes that currently exist in Japan, which allow such activities to thrive unchecked, and discuss the broader implications for global digital safety and child protection.

This session will offer a first and rare glimpse into the clandestine online spaces where the marketplace for synthetic CSAM thrives, detailing the unique identifiers of this ecosystem. Additionally, we will address the challenges that Trust & Safety professionals face in identifying and mitigating synthetic CSAM, and propose strategies for international cooperation and policy reform to effectively combat this growing threat. All together, this session aims to equip Trust and Safety teams with essential tools to identify and combat this rapidly growing threat, while also emphasizing the need for heightened collaboration to tackle the challenges presented by this emergent form of digital exploitation.