Japan passes landmark reforms, raises age of consent

Japan has raised its age of consent from 13 to 16 years old, marking a major shift in sex crime legislation. On Friday, lawmakers unanimously passed a new bill that not only raises the age of consent but also introduces clearer requirements for rape prosecution and criminalizes voyeurism. The legislation sailed through the upper house of parliament, signifying broad support for the reforms.

Prior to this change, Japan had one of the lowest ages of consent in the world, with 13 being the threshold for sexual activity not considered statutory rape. In comparison, countries like Britain set it at 16, France at 15, and Germany and China at 14.

“The previous age of consent in Japan had remained unchanged since 1907, with children aged 13 and above being considered capable of giving consent. However, in practice, various regional ordinances throughout the country had effectively raised the age of consent to 18 by banning “lewd” acts with minors.”

“Under the newly passed law, teen couples within a five-year age difference will be exempt from prosecution if both partners are over 13 years old. This provision aims to acknowledge consensual relationships between individuals close in age.”

“The latest reforms mark a continuation of Japan’s efforts to address sexual offenses. The country last revised its criminal code on sexual offenses in 2017 after more than a century, but critics argued that the changes were insufficient. The lack of successful rape prosecutions and a series of acquittals in 2019 led to nationwide rallies and increased demands for stronger measures.””

“One significant change introduced by the new bill is the elimination of the requirement for prosecutors to prove that victims were incapacitated due to violence and intimidation. Critics argued that this requirement unfairly placed blame on victims for not resisting enough. Instead, the bill provides a list of examples under which rape prosecutions can be pursued, such as cases involving victims under the influence of alcohol or drugs, instances of fear, or exploitation based on social status.”

“The bill also addresses the issue of coercing children under 16 for sexual purposes. It introduces a new offense called “visitation request offense,” which criminalizes the use of intimidation, seduction, or financial inducement to arrange meetings with children for sexual activities. Offenders convicted of this offense may face imprisonment of up to one year or a fine of 500,000 yen ($3,500), according to the justice ministry.”

“While the reforms aim to strike a balance in addressing sexual offenses without making prosecution easier or harder, the justice ministry hopes that the clarified legislation will lead to more consistent court verdicts. The passage of these reforms highlights Japan’s commitment to safeguarding the rights and well-being of its citizens, particularly its youth, in the face of evolving societal challenges.”