Japan modifies the age of sexual consent in reform of sex crimes laws

Japan has issued a new law to raise the age of sexual consent from 13 years old to 16. The Japanese parliament made the historic decision last Friday, June, 18. The Asian country’s age of consent was among the lowest in the world. Only Angola and Comoros, whose consent ages are 13 and 12 respectively, tied with Japan in that regard.

This new legislation comes as part of a revision of laws to regulate sex crimes and protect vulnerable groups such as women and children. The reforms are now sexual intercourse with someone below the age of 16 is considered rape. In addition, eight scenarios of “consentless sex crimes,” were also specified. A new term regarding forced sexual intercourse, which included the influence of alcohol or drugs, fear, or intimidation was also included. The punishments for these crimes now range from 10 to 15 years in prison. 

However, laws regarding the protection of LGBTQ groups were insufficient for the safety of this group. In spite of the Parliament’s decision to pass on the law, activists criticized it because the legislation did not guarantee equality for these minority groups. Since opposition remains the major force in the country, LGBTIQ communities feel unprotected by the Liberal Democratic party, which is the most popular conservative political sector in the country.

Japan has been slow when modifying its regulation on sexual crimes. The nation’s public servers have taken up to 110 years to make any reforms in a country where cases of sexual abuse, sexual assault, and unprotection of women still have a long way to go to be solved.