Japan Raises Its Age Of Consent From 13 To 16 Years Old

In a historic decision, Japan raised the consent age to 16 years old.

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The government recently enacted a law that increased the minimum age for consenting to sexual activity from 13 to 16, in response to widespread uproar.

Prior to (June 16), when a modification was approved by the upper chamber of the Diet (Japan's parliament), the previous age of consent, which was one of the lowest among developed countries, had been fixed in legislation going back to 1907 and had never been altered.

This also means that under the new law, young couples with an age difference of five years or less will not be prosecuted if both partners are older than 13.

The concept of rape was altered so that the terminology used in the Japanese law matched those of other countries, along with raising the age of consent to be consistent with other countries.

The legal definition of rape has changed from "forcible sexual intercourse" to "non-consensual sexual intercourse" under the new phrasing.

The recently passed law lists eight circumstances that make it difficult for a person to express their consent to sexual activity, including being under the influence of alcohol or drugs, experiencing violence or threats, and fearing the repercussions of refusing, with the latter factoring in any power imbalances between the offender and the victim.

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The new rule has increased the time period for survivors to come forward after a sexual assault from 10 to 15 years.

Finally, 'photo voyeurism,' which includes upskirting and secretly filming sexual activity, is now illegal in Japan.

The new definition of rape, which emphasizes the concept of consent and should end a long trend of acquittals in sexual assault proceedings, has been hailed by activists.

"The actual trial processes and decisions vary - some defendants were not convicted even if their acts were proven to be non-consensual, as they did not meet the case of 'assault or intimidation'," Yuu Tadokoro, a spokesman for Spring, a sexual assault survivor group, told the BBC.

Since the topic is still taboo in Japan, activists are hoping that the new law would enable survivors to register their attacks.

They also demand the creation of a national education campaign to raise awareness of the prevalence of sexual assault.

"Nationwide learning and educational effort is essential for this norm to be embedded in the society. This is the only way to prevent actual sexual violence along with ending the culture of impunity," Kazuko Ito, vice-president of the Tokyo-based Human Rights Now, noted.

It is through education and awareness campaigns that the new norms surrounding consent and the prevention of sexual violence can take root and contribute to ending the culture of impunity.

In conclusion, Japan's decision to raise the age of consent and implement changes in laws related to sex crimes marks a significant step toward ensuring the protection of children and women.

By aligning with international standards and emphasizing the importance of consent, Japan aims to create a safer environment and promote a culture of respect and accountability.

It is hoped that these legal reforms, combined with educational initiatives, will contribute to preventing sexual violence and supporting survivors in seeking justice.