The revision was part of a revamping of laws related to sex crimes. Reforms providing greater protection for victims of sexual crimes and stricter punishment of assailants have come slowly in a country where the legislative and judicial branches have long been dominated by men. Japan in revised its criminal code on sexual crimes for the first time in years. A series of acquittals in cases of sexual abuse and growing instances of sexual images taken of girls and women without their consent have triggered public outrage, prompting the new revisions.
The changes enacted Friday make sexual intercourse with someone below age 16 considered rape. They also ban the filming, distribution and possession of sexually exploitative images taken without consent.
The statute of limitations for sex crimes was also extended by five years, to 10 years for consentless sexual intercourse. The changes were sparked in part by a case in Nagoya in which a father who raped his year-old daughter was acquitted by a court which ruled that while the daughter did not give her consent, she did not resist violently.
The decision prompted nationwide protests. Support for same-sex marriage and other rights has grown among the Japanese public, but opposition remains strong within the governing Liberal Democratic Party, known for conservative values and a reluctance to promote gender equality and sexual diversity. Support Provided By: Learn more.
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