Japan has handed a regulation that modified the definition of rape to non-consensual sexual activity” from “forcible sexual activity”, aligning its definition with these of different international locations. The nation additionally raised the age for authorized consent from 13 to 16. The earlier legal guidelines dissuaded individuals from reporting instances the place victims have been coerced into having intercourse.
This led to inconsistent court docket rulings, fuelling requires change. The brand new legal guidelines, which have been handed by the higher home of the Nationwide Eating regimen – Japan’s parliament – on Friday define eight eventualities the place it’s troublesome for a sufferer to “kind, specific, or fulfil an intention to not consent” to intercourse.
A couple of of the eventualities embrace the place the sufferer is intoxicated, or topic to violence or threats; or is “frightened or astonished”. It additionally consists of the scenario the place it is perhaps an abuse of energy, the place the sufferer is “frightened” concerning the penalties of refusal.
That is the primary time Japan has modified the age of consent since its enactment in 1907.
In one other transfer, the nation additionally elevated the statute of limitations to report rape from 10 to fifteen years, giving victims extra time to come back ahead.
“Distorted concepts” about intercourse and consent which have pervaded for generations have to be addressed, Kazuko Ito, vice-president of the Tokyo-based Human Rights Now advised BBC.
One of many adjustments additionally bans picture voyeurism or taking pictures sexual acts amongst different issues.
