TOKYO, Feb. 18 (Xinhua) — The Japanese authorities plans to boost the nation’s authorized age of consent for intercourse, presently among the many world’s lowest at 13, to 16, as a part of a significant overhaul of intercourse crime laws.
The legislative council, a panel arrange by the Justice Ministry to assessment and advise on civil and prison regulation, offered the suggestions to Justice Minister Ken Saito on Friday, which additionally included making the key filming of somebody’s genitals or underwear and sharing such photographs an offense punishable below the Penal Code.
The authorities goals to submit an modification to the Penal Code throughout the present parliamentary session.
The transfer, which critics say are lengthy overdue and urgently wanted to guard susceptible minors from sexual offenses, got here after a collection of rape acquittals that sparked public outcry.
Japan’s present age of consent, one of many lowest amongst developed nations, has stayed unchanged since its enactment in 1907.
Under the present regulation, youngsters no less than 13 years previous are thought of able to consent, that means sexual exercise with them isn’t thought of statutory rape. There have been calls to boost it to higher replicate actuality as sexual exploitation of minors has more and more come into focus.