TOKYO, May 31 (NNN-NHK) – Japan’s House of Representatives, passed a bill yesterday, to clarify the criteria for constituting the crime of nonconsensual intercourse and other sex offenses, as part of reforms to the country’s Penal Code.
The bill, which will raise the age of sexual consent from 13 to 16, and introduce a new provision to punish acts of sex-related secret photographing or filming, will be sent to the upper house, after being unanimously approved by the lower house of parliament.
Under the legislation, the crime of nonconsensual sexual intercourse is considered to have been committed, if the perpetrators make the victims engage in such an act in situations where it is difficult for the victims to express or fulfill their will not to give consent, such as the perpetrators’ use of violence, intimidation, alcohol, drugs, economic or social status.
Meanwhile, the statute of limitations for prosecution will be extended to 15 years from 10 years, for nonconsensual intercourse.
While the amendments will make sexual intercourse with a person under 16 illegal, regardless of consent, an exception is provided for cases in which an individual, aged 17 or older, engages in intercourse with someone four or fewer years younger than them.– NNN-NHK
