The Japanese Cabinet on Tuesday (March 14) approved a bill which would&nbsp; raise the legal age of consent from 13 to 16 and recognise sexual violation even in the absence of physical violence or coercion. The country is moving to reform its Penal Code after years of criticism that several sex offenders went scot-free. Notably, the age of consent in the Asian country is the lowest among the Group of seven nations (G7) and has remained unchanged since its enactment over a century ago.

The package of reforms proposed last month by a Japanese justice ministry panel also sought to clarify rape prosecution requirements. It would now define sexual offence charges as per the circumstances which make it difficult for a person to “form, express or fulfill the intention to resist” a sexual act and listed eight acts in this context.&nbsp;

The examples ranged from threats and abusing one’s economic or social power to taking advantage of a person’s impairment due to the influence of alcohol or drugs.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/explained-japan-poised-to-raise-age-of-consent-to-16-after-over-a-century-why-now-564542">Explained | Japan poised to raise age of consent to 16 after over a century. Why now?</a>

According to local media reports, the reforms also rename a sexual offence charge in order to clarify the illegality of non-consensual intercourse. It will also make so-called upskirting and producing images of genitalia without consent punishable under the Penal Code.&nbsp;

The amendments will also make illegal the production of images of genitalia, buttocks and breasts without consent. Providing or circulating such images and videos will become punishable. The government aims to pass the bill during the current parliamentary session while the revision will come into effect 20 days after the promulgation, as per local media reports.&nbsp;

ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/japan-to-raise-age-of-consent-from-13-to-16-age-remains-same-since-enacted-in-1907-564286">Japan to raise age of consent from 13 to 16; age remains same since enacted in 1907</a>

As of now, Japan has the lowest age of consent among developed countries, as 13-year-old children are deemed old enough to consent. This means sexual activity with them is not considered statutory rape.

The proposed overhaul comes after mounting criticism that current laws are inadequate to protect children from rape and other sexual offences.

As per the current Japanese laws, forced sexual intercourse must be non-consensual and the prosecution must be able to prove that the rape perpetrator used “violence and intimidation” and that it was “impossible to resist”.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

The Japanese Cabinet on Tuesday (March 14) approved a bill which would raise the legal age of consent from 13 to 16 and recognise sexual violation even in the absence of physical violence or coercion.

The Japanese Cabinet on Tuesday (March 14) approved a bill which would raise the legal age of consent from 13 to 16 and recognise sexual violation even in the absence of physical violence or coercion. The country is moving to reform its Penal Code after years of criticism that several sex offenders went scot-free. Notably, the age of consent in the Asian country is the lowest among the Group of seven nations (G7) and has remained unchanged since its enactment over a century ago. The package of reforms proposed last month by a Japanese justice ministry panel also sought to clarify rape prosecution requirements. It would now define sexual offence charges as per the circumstances which make it difficult for a person to “form, express or fulfill the intention to resist” a sexual act and listed eight acts in this context. The examples ranged from threats and abusing one’s economic or social power to taking advantage of a person’s impairment due to the influence of alcohol or drugs. ALSO READ | Explained | Japan poised to raise age of consent to 16 after over a century. Why now? According to local media reports, the reforms also rename a sexual offence charge in order to clarify the illegality of non-consensual intercourse. It will also make so-called upskirting and producing images of genitalia without consent punishable under the Penal Code. The amendments will also make illegal the production of images of genitalia, buttocks and breasts without consent. Providing or circulating such images and videos will become punishable. The government aims to pass the bill during the current parliamentary session while the revision will come into effect 20 days after the promulgation, as per local media reports. ALSO WATCH | Japan to raise age of consent from 13 to 16; age remains same since enacted in 1907 As of now, Japan has the lowest age of consent among developed countries, as 13-year-old children are deemed old enough to consent. This means sexual activity with them is not considered statutory rape. The proposed overhaul comes after mounting criticism that current laws are inadequate to protect children from rape and other sexual offences. As per the current Japanese laws, forced sexual intercourse must be non-consensual and the prosecution must be able to prove that the rape perpetrator used “violence and intimidation” and that it was “impossible to resist”. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Japan OKs bill to raise age of consent from 13 to 16, reform sexual offence charges

Online bullying has been a problem plaguing the world in the time of social media and Japan has taken strong steps to deal with the problem. The country’s parliament passed a legislation on Monday which made “online insults” punishable by fine and even imprisonment. The decision was taken by the authorities to curb online bullying after the suicide of a reality television star who faced online abuse. According to the new legislation, people found guilty of online bullying or insults can be jailed for up to one year, or fined 300,000 yen (about $2,200), according to Reuters. Earlier, the punishment was imprisonment for 30 days and a fine of 10,000 yen ($75). But, amid the rising concerns among the public, stricter steps were taken by the Japanese government.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/who-to-hold-meeting-over-declaring-monkeypox-an-international-health-emergency-488191" hreflang="en">WHO to hold meeting over declaring monkeypox an international health emergency</a>

However, the legislation has also created a lot of uproar among the citizens as a lot of them saw it as an attack on free speech and criticism of the government. The main concern was the process by which “online insults” will be determined by the authorities and how it can be easily misused.

"There needs to be a guideline that makes a distinction on what qualifies as an insult. For example, at the moment, even if someone calls the leader of Japan an idiot, then maybe under the revised law that could be classed as an insult," Seiho Cho, a Japan-based criminal lawyer, told CNN.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/early-signs-of-virus-surge-in-england-and-northern-ireland-due-to-omicron-variants-uk-ons-data-488222">Early signs of virus surge in England due to Omicron variants: UK ONS data</a>

The authorities also said that the law will be re-examined every three years by a special council.

(With inputs from agencies)

Online bullying has been a problem plaguing the world in the time of social media and Japan has taken strong steps to deal with the problem. The country’s parliament passed a legislation on Monday which made “online insults” punishable by fine and even imprisonment.

Online bullying has been a problem plaguing the world in the time of social media and Japan has taken strong steps to deal with the problem. The country’s parliament passed a legislation on Monday which made “online insults” punishable by fine and even imprisonment. The decision was taken by the authorities to curb online bullying after the suicide of a reality television star who faced online abuse. According to the new legislation, people found guilty of online bullying or insults can be jailed for up to one year, or fined 300,000 yen (about $2,200), according to Reuters. Earlier, the punishment was imprisonment for 30 days and a fine of 10,000 yen ($75). But, amid the rising concerns among the public, stricter steps were taken by the Japanese government. Also read | WHO to hold meeting over declaring monkeypox an international health emergency However, the legislation has also created a lot of uproar among the citizens as a lot of them saw it as an attack on free speech and criticism of the government. The main concern was the process by which “online insults” will be determined by the authorities and how it can be easily misused. "There needs to be a guideline that makes a distinction on what qualifies as an insult. For example, at the moment, even if someone calls the leader of Japan an idiot, then maybe under the revised law that could be classed as an insult," Seiho Cho, a Japan-based criminal lawyer, told CNN. Also read | Early signs of virus surge in England due to Omicron variants: UK ONS data The authorities also said that the law will be re-examined every three years by a special council. (With inputs from agencies)

Japan's new legislation makes 'online insults' punishable by one year in prison

japan-law

Japan Law, News on Japan Law, stories on Japan Law, articles on Japan Law, Japan Law stories at Wion, Japan Law news, Japan Law latest news

japan law

Japan OKs bill to raise age of consent from 13 to 16, reform sexual offence charges

Japan's new legislation makes 'online insults' punishable by one year in prison