1. Introduction
The age of consent is the age at which a person is considered to be legally able to consent to sexual activity. In Japan, the age of consent has been a topic of debate for many years, and the current status of the law is often misunderstood. In this article, we will explore the history and current status of Japan’s age of consent laws, as well as international perspectives on the issue and potential implications for changing or keeping them in place.
2. History of Japan’s Age of Consent
The age of consent in Japan has changed several times throughout its history. In 1880, it was set at 13 years old, which remained unchanged until 1947 when it was raised to 16. This change was made in response to an increasing awareness of child abuse and exploitation occurring within Japanese society at that time. However, in 1999 the law was changed again and lowered back down to 13 years old after much debate over whether or not it should remain at 16 or be lowered further.
3. Recent Changes to the Age of Consent in Japan
In recent years, there have been a number of attempts by both politicians and activists to raise the age of consent in Japan from 13 up to 16 once again. These efforts have been met with both support and opposition from various groups across Japanese society. Proponents argue that raising the age would better protect children from exploitation while opponents argue that such a move would be overly restrictive and could lead to more cases of child abuse going unreported due to fear or embarrassment among victims.
4. Current Status of the Age of Consent in Japan
At present, the legal age for consensual sexual activity in Japan remains at 13 years old despite ongoing debates over its appropriateness. The law does provide some exceptions for those aged between 13-15 who are engaging in consensual sexual activity with someone close in age (within three years), but any sexual contact with someone under 13 is strictly prohibited by law regardless of their relationship status or level of maturity.
5. International Perspectives on Japan’s Age of Consent Laws
Japan’s low legal age for consensual sexual activity has long been a source of controversy among other countries around the world due to its perceived leniency towards child exploitation and abuse cases compared to other nations where similar laws exist but are enforced more strictly (such as South Korea). Despite this criticism, however, most experts agree that raising the legal age too high could lead to more cases going unreported due to fear or embarrassment among victims which could ultimately do more harm than good if left unchecked by authorities.
6 Pros and Cons Keeping The Age Of Consent At 13 In Japan
There are both pros and cons associated with keeping the legal age for consensual sex at 13 years old in Japan instead of raising it up higher like many other countries have done recently:
Pros:
• Lowering barriers for young people who wish engage in consensual sex without fear criminalization;
• Less stigma surrounding younger people engaging in sexual activity;
• Increased protection against exploitation since any contact with someone under 13 is strictly prohibited by law regardless their relationship status or level maturity;
Cons:
• Perceived leniency towards child exploitation/abuse cases compared other countries where similar laws exist but are enforced more strictly;
• Potential increase unreported cases due fear/embarrassment among victims;
7 Potential Implications For Lowering Or Raising The Age Of Consent In Japan
If either lowering or raising the legal age for consensual sex were implemented within Japanese society there would likely be both positive and negative implications associated with such a move:
Lowering The Legal Age:
• Increased freedom young people who wish engage consensual sex without fear criminalization; • More opportunities individuals aged between 13-15 engage each other without breaking law; • Potential increase exploitative behavior since standards what constitutes “consensual” may become blurred;
Raising The Legal Age: • Greater protection against exploitation since any contact with someone under 16 would be strictly prohibited by law regardless their relationship status/level maturity; • Increased stigma surrounding younger people engaging sexual activity since they may no longer legally allowed do so; • Potential increase unreported cases due fear/embarrassment among victims since they may feel ashamed coming forward about their experiences;
8 Conclusion
In conclusion, it is clear that there are both pros and cons associated with keeping vs changing Japan’s legal age for consensual sex from 13 up higher like many other countries have done recently. Ultimately though it is up Japanese government decide on what best course action should be taken when considering these issues order ensure maximum protection children while still allowing young people freedom express themselves sexually without fear criminalization/exploitation/abuse if they choose do so responsibly within confines existing laws regulations governing such activities within country’s borders today tomorrow future generations come come after them as well.
9 References/Sources
• https://www.japantimes.co.jp / news / 2019 / 01 / 22 / national / crime-legal / japan-age -consent-law_20190122/ • http://www.japaninsider.com/age -of -consent -in -japan-is-it -still-13 / • https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-45798824
Why is Japan’s age of consent 13?
Established by the 13th century Japanese Penal Code. But why is there a minimum age in Japan? Because this law was made about 120 years ago and at that time the average human life span on earth was less than that.
What countries age of consent is 13?
Burkina Faso Comoros Niger and the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic have also set their age of consent at 13. Albania Austria Bangladesh Bolivia Brazil China Eritrea Italy Germany Hungary Myanmar Colombia and Portugal have confirmed the age of consent in another 32 countries.
Is 14 a minor in Japan?
42. Under the Japanese Penal Code persons under the age of 14 are not punished for their actions. However under Japans Juvenile Law a minor (shonin) is anyone under the age of one.
What’s the lowest age of consent in the world?
All member states establish a minimum age of sexual consent. Most Member States have set this age between 14 and 16 years. The minimum age is 14 and it is established in seven states including Austria Bulgaria Estonia Germany Hungary Italy and Portugal. The sum was set in the year of Malta.
What country has the lowest age consent?
Consent laws vary widely around the world. Most countries require teenagers to be at least 14 years old before they can have sex. But there are exceptions. Both Angola and the Philippines have the lowest age of consent in the world.
What is a normal age gap for dating in Japan?
1.4 years in Japan (PDF). Its a pattern seen around the world: in every culture there seems to be an age gap between heterosexual couples. Several evolutionary explanations have been proposed (older males may have more resources; younger females may be more fertile) but none are easily tested.
