Japan's Cabinet has approved draft legislation to revise the Penal Code to better respond to sex crimes.

Under the plan, the crime of "forcible sexual intercourse" will be renamed to "sexual intercourse without consent."

At present, "assault or intimidation" is the required condition for the crime.

But victims had called for a review, arguing that fear alone can make it difficult to resist offenders, even without assault or intimidation.

The draft legislation specifies eight types of acts that would serve as the basis for forced sex.

In addition to assault and intimidation, they include intoxicating the victim with alcohol or drugs, not giving the victim a chance to refuse, and scaring or shocking the victim.

People who commit any of the eight acts and make it difficult for victims to express their lack of consent would face the charge of non-consensual sex.

The statute of limitations for this crime and "indecency without consent" would be extended by five years.

"Grooming" would also become a crime. This involves using social media and other means to psychologically control children for sexual purposes.

The age of consent would be raised from 13 to 16. Sexual activity with anyone younger than 16 would be a crime, except when it is between those in the same age category.

Another new offense would make it punishable to take indecent images or provide them to third parties.

The government hopes the Diet will enact the legislation during the ongoing session.