Japan raises age of consent from 13 to 16 in relation to sex crimes law reform

Japan has raised the age of 13 to 16 in connection with changing the law against sex crimes.

_{Japanese parliament approves sex crime law reform (Photograph: Kazuhiro Nogi/AFP)}

In addition to the age increase, the accused committing any sexual act below the permitted age will be considered a rapist.

The law has existed since 1907 and, only this Friday (16), was modified. Previously, 13-year-olds were thought to be able to recognize and give consent to a sexual act. One of the lowest limits in the world, which has also been modified on what is considered rape and the criminalization of voyeurism (the act of watching another undress without permission, known as morbid curiosity).

With this modification, Japan caught up with the United Kingdom and Spain. It is ahead of France, which is 15 years old, and behind Germany and China, which are 14 years old. However, the law establishes an exception for couples who have a maximum of five years of difference and over 13 years.

The reform of this law was due to several protests in 2019, which were against the government’s thinking. For critics, it was the victim’s fault for not resisting enough. The law listed situations that can be considered as rapes, for example, in cases where the victim is under the influence of drugs or alcohol, acting against her will, emphasizing fear. As well as the abuse of power, making the person take advantage of the social position. Also prohibited was “photographic voyeurism”, which is basically filming the victim in a sexual act and without her awareness.

In 2017, the country had already undergone a reformulation, but critics found it insufficient. “It will send a message to society that sexual violence against minors by adults is unacceptable,” Japanese NGO Human Rights Now said in a statement.

Featured Photo: The city of Tokyo. Playback/Aleksandar Passaric