A revision to Japan's Penal Code and other legislation to better respond to sex crimes has been enacted after the Upper House of the Diet unanimously approved it on Friday.
Under the revision, the crime of "forcible sexual intercourse" is renamed to "sexual intercourse without consent" and the offense of "indecency through compulsion" is renamed to "indecency without consent."
The revised Penal Code specifies for the first time the eight types of acts that would serve as the basis for such crimes. They include intoxicating the victim with alcohol or drugs, not giving the victim a chance to refuse, and frightening or shocking the victim, in addition to assault or intimidation.
When people commit any of these acts and make it difficult for victims to express their lack of consent before engaging in sexual acts, they will face the charges of non-consensual sexual intercourse or indecency.
The statute of limitations for these crimes has been extended by five years.
The age of consent for sexual acts has been raised to 16 from the current 13. A sexual act with anyone younger than 16 is now a punishable crime except for those between people in the same age bracket.
In addition, the revision makes "grooming" a crime. This involves psychologically controlling children for sexual purposes through social media and other means.
Taking indecent images or offering them to third parties will also be a crime under the revision.
Under the revision, the crime of "forcible sexual intercourse" is renamed to "sexual intercourse without consent" and the offense of "indecency through compulsion" is renamed to "indecency without consent."
The revised Penal Code specifies for the first time the eight types of acts that would serve as the basis for such crimes. They include intoxicating the victim with alcohol or drugs, not giving the victim a chance to refuse, and frightening or shocking the victim, in addition to assault or intimidation.
When people commit any of these acts and make it difficult for victims to express their lack of consent before engaging in sexual acts, they will face the charges of non-consensual sexual intercourse or indecency.
The statute of limitations for these crimes has been extended by five years.
The age of consent for sexual acts has been raised to 16 from the current 13. A sexual act with anyone younger than 16 is now a punishable crime except for those between people in the same age bracket.
In addition, the revision makes "grooming" a crime. This involves psychologically controlling children for sexual purposes through social media and other means.
Taking indecent images or offering them to third parties will also be a crime under the revision.
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Summary
Japan's Penal Code revised to address sex crimes, renaming "forcible sexual intercourse" to "sexual intercourse without consent". Eight acts considered grounds for these crimes, including intoxication or intimidation. Statute of limitations extended by five years. Age of consent raised to 16, and
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ID: dfa07489-18b8-440c-ac5d-cc65a80652d6
Category ID: nhk
URL: https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230616_18/
Date: June 16, 2023
Created: 2023/06/17 00:17
Updated: 2025/12/09 02:51
Last Read: 2023/06/17 13:27