The news pertains to a growing issue in Japan regarding digital extortion, where individuals are coerced into sending explicit images. An epidemic of cybercrime that is increasingly targeting Japanese netizens.

In Japan, there's a strong emphasis on maintaining personal reputation and social harmony - privacy is highly valued. This news creates a concern among Japanese citizens for their privacy and security on the internet. Moreover, laws in Japan, particularly those related to telecoms and computing, are stringent on such issues and this act is considered a serious crime, often treated with severe punishments.

In the US or EU, digital extortion is also considered a serious offense and has been making headlines. The issue is tackled through robust cybercrime laws and awareness campaigns educating users about online safety - similar to Japan's approach. However, cultural differences mean that the impact of such extortion is perceived differently, perhaps with less societal shame assigned to victims in the US or EU.