Japan‘s parliament on Friday raised the age of sexual consent to 16 from 13, a limit which had remained unchanged for more than a century and was among the world’s lowest, amid requires larger safety of youngsters and girls.

The revision was a part of a revamping of legal guidelines associated to intercourse crimes. Separately, Parliament handed a brand new legislation on Friday to extend consciousness of LGBTQ+ points which activists criticized for not guaranteeing equal rights for sexual minorities.

Reforms offering larger safety for victims of sexual crimes and stricter punishment of assailants have come slowly in a rustic the place the legislative and judicial branches have lengthy been dominated by males.

Japan in 2017 revised its legal code on sexual crimes for the primary time in 110 years. A collection of acquittals in instances of sexual abuse and rising situations of sexual photographs taken of women and girls with out their consent have triggered public outrage, prompting the brand new revisions.

The adjustments enacted Friday make sexual activity with somebody under age 16 thought of rape. They specify eight situations of “consentless sex crimes,” a brand new time period for pressured sexual activity, together with being assaulted inebriated or medication, worry, or intimidation.

They additionally ban the filming, distribution and possession of sexually exploitative photographs taken with out consent.

The statute of limitations for intercourse crimes was additionally prolonged by 5 years, to 10 years for consentless sexual activity. That crime is now topic to as much as 15 years in jail, whereas “photo voyeurism” might be punished by as much as three years’ imprisonment.

The adjustments have been sparked partially by a case in Nagoya during which a father who raped his 19-year-old daughter was acquitted by a court docket which dominated that whereas the daughter didn't give her consent, she didn't resist violently. The determination prompted nationwide protests.

Activists mentioned the brand new LGBTQ+ legislation threatens them as a substitute of selling equality due to last-minute adjustments which apparently catered to opponents of transgender rights.

Japan is the one member of the Group of Seven main industrialized nations which doesn't have LGTBQ+ authorized protections. Support for same-sex marriage and different rights has grown among the many Japanese public, however opposition stays robust throughout the governing Liberal Democratic Party, identified for conservative values and a reluctance to advertise gender equality and sexual range.

The remaining model of the legislation states that “unjust discrimination” is unacceptable however doesn’t clearly ban discrimination.

It says that situations must be created in order that “all citizens can live with peace of mind,” which activists say reveals the governing occasion prioritized the issues of opponents of equal rights over the rights of sexual minorities.

“The law does not look at us or our ordeals, and instead looks to the direction of those causing us pain,” mentioned Minori Tokieda, a transgender lady. “I’m deeply concerned about how the law treats us as if our presence threatens the people’s sense of safety.”

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