Men taking non-consensual photos of female athletes in Japan is a chronic problem. The latest disturbing example comes from Hyogo Prefecture, where police arrested a man for using an infrared camera to take sexually suggestive photos of athletes as young as 11 years old.
Police have arrested 53-year-old fisherman Miyake Norimasa, a resident of Hyogo’s Minami-Awaji City, on charges of child pornography. Between July 2023 and 2024, police say Miyake attended swimming events in multiple cities where he took pictures of eight female swimmers, including one who was only 11.
Police say Miyake used an infrared light filter and special techniques to try and capture so-called “see-through” photos showing the athlete’s bodies underneath. Infrared photography can sometimes reveal what’s under garments given the right conditions, especially with tight clothing.
Sony’s NightShot camcorder garnered attention in 1998 when users discovered this capability. The manufacturer halted shipment of additional cameras until it could modify its “NightShot” function so that it wouldn’t work in daylight.
Japan has a rampant problem with men attempting to recreate this effect with infrared cameras at sporting events. The problem is so bad that sports clothing maker Mizuno has developed special clothing that blocks infrared light. Many sporting events in Japan – especially those featuring minors – have banned fan photography as well.
Miyake is also charged with taking photos of another 13-year-old minor. His photos include pictures of women who were 18, 27, 30, and 44 years old. A report from NHK News says police found 26,000 nonconsensual photos on an SD card.
A victim and several others reported Miyake last July when they saw him taking pictures of swimmers from a tent.
Miyake has admitted to using an infrared-capable camera to take the photos for his own “sexual arousal.”
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