# Japan’s real AI problem is not technology. It is trust. > Source: > Published: 2026-06-12 02:47:00+00:00 A recent case in Japan has sparked intense discussion about artificial intelligence. In late May, media reports revealed that the 18-year-old daughter of a prominent sports executive [sought help from an AI chatbot](https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/05/27/japan/crime-legal/giants-abe-baseball-ai-daughter/) after experiencing violence at home. According to public reports, she described the abuse and asked the chatbot what she should do. The chatbot suggested practical options, including contacting emergency services and a child guidance center. She eventually reached out to the child guidance center, which alerted authorities, and her father was later detained on suspicion of assault and arrested. The public reaction was swift. Some praised artificial intelligence for helping a vulnerable young person find a path to safety. Others worried that people are increasingly turning to machines rather than human beings when facing serious personal crises.