In Japan, sex with children and young people under the age of 16 is now generally prohibited. Tokyo’s upper house on Friday unanimously approved a corresponding reform of the sex criminal law. Previously, the age of consent in Japan was 13 years. Activists hailed the new regulation as an important step forward.
At age 13, the previous age of consent in Japan was the lowest of the G7 countries and had not changed since its introduction in 1907. However, sexual acts between two teenagers go unpunished if both are at least 13 years old and the age difference is no more than amounts to five years.
Changes have also been made to the classification of sexual offenses
The reform of the Sexual Code also provides for new rules for the criminal classification of rape: in the future, sexual assault will no longer be considered rape only if the victim defends himself, but also if he was under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or if the perpetrator threatened him or abused a social position.
Voyeurism will be punished
For the first time, forms of voyeurism are also criminalized throughout Japan: Anyone who secretly films other people in their genitals, in their underwear or during sexual acts can face three years in prison or a fine of up to three million yen (equivalent to nearly 20,000 euros).
The Japanese human rights organization Human Rights Now called the reform a “great step forward”. In particular, raising the age of consent sends a message to society that adult sexual violence against children is “unacceptable”.
Acquittals in rape trials sparked outrage
Japan had already reformed its sexual criminal law in 2017, but critics did not go far enough then. A series of acquittals in rape trials added pressure and provoked mass outrage.
Source: Krone
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