Sexual offenses are horrific crimes perpetrated worldwide in opposition to individuals of all ages and genders. In Japan, these crimes are sometimes downplayed or grow to be the topic of huge media consideration. The truth of rape and sexual assault in Japan is way from what’s formally introduced.
This text attracts on Japanese media reviews, court docket information, authorities information and public testimony to look at how sexual assault is reported, prosecuted and skilled in Japan. It contains instances involving each Japanese and overseas victims.
Official statistics are strikingly low
Japan’s official crime statistics replicate solely reported instances, leaving a lot of the fact of sexual assault uncounted. The distinction between reported and unreported instances could possibly be as excessive as 70%. Picture: DCStudio/Pixta
In keeping with the Nationwide Police Company (NPA) 2022 white paper, that yr’s variety of reported instances of “forcible sexual activity” was the very best because the Japanese Penal Code was revised in 2017. Earlier than 2017, official reviews said that Japan had a fee of 1.0 sexual assault per 100,000 individuals. In 2023, the reported rape fee was 2.2 instances per 100,000 individuals. In 2024, the variety of reported sexual assault and rape instances rose 45.2%, however the fee per capita didn’t change.
These figures are shockingly low and are thought of by many to be the results of extreme underreporting and, till 2023, an exceptionally slim authorized definition of the crime itself.
In 2023, the code was revised once more and now contains the next:
- The definition of rape was expanded to incorporate all nonconsensual sexual activity. Victims not should show “violence or intimidation that made it remarkably tough for the sufferer to protest.”
- The age of sexual consent was raised from 13 to 16.
- The regulation was broadened to incorporate male victims for the primary time.
- The statute of limitations for nonconsensual intercourse was elevated to fifteen years and to twenty years for indecent assault leading to damage.
- Nonconsensual pictures — usually referred to as “upskirt” pictures — and nonconsensual pictures of genitalia, buttocks or breasts had been criminalized.
These modifications have been mirrored in a rise in reported assaults; nevertheless, the regulation nonetheless makes it tough for all victims to return ahead.
Male victims stay underreported
Crowded public areas are a typical setting for undesirable sexual contact, but incidents involving male victims are hardly ever reported. Picture: Okay@zuTa/Pixta
In keeping with Rutgers College within the U.S., one in 33 males shall be victims of sexual assault of their lifetime, whereas one in six had been sexually abused earlier than age 18. In Australia, one in six boys youthful than 15 are victims of sexual assault, whereas one in 25 males aged 15 or older are sexually assaulted.
There are not any clear reviews from credible sources on the speed of sexual violence in opposition to males in Japan. From 1907, when the Japanese Penal Code was enacted, to 2017, sexual assaults in opposition to grownup males had been handled as common assault, reminiscent of brawling. Males weren’t totally acknowledged as victims of sexual assault (Japanese) below the regulation till it was amended once more in 2023. Official statistics additionally have a tendency to mix sufferer gender, making it tough to isolate male-specific information.
In 2023, the Tokyo Metropolitan Authorities (Japanese) launched a examine on victims of groping on trains. The examine discovered that 9% of male commuters ages 16 to 69 had skilled a point of undesirable sexual contact throughout their day by day commutes.
Research performed by the Ministry of Justice (Japanese) have proven that males discover it tough to share their experiences. Fears of how they are going to be perceived and social stigma have saved the variety of males reporting sexual offense comparatively low.
Social stigma additionally makes it tough for male victims to talk out, besides in landmark instances reminiscent of these involving Johnny Kitagawa. Much less broadly identified is that investigations and civil fits in opposition to Kitagawa and his firms have been largely ignored by the media because the mid-Nineteen Nineties.
Knowledge on overseas victims is proscribed
Japan’s official crime statistics do not break down information by nationality, leaving the size of sexual assault involving overseas victims largely unknown. Overseas victims of any gender are the least more likely to report a sexual assault. Picture: CHAI/Pixta
One other class by which information is sort of unimaginable to search out includes overseas victims.
There are typically no official statistics relating to overseas victims of sexual violence of any gender in Japan. These figures are included in mixture outcomes printed within the annual NPA white papers, or can be found through pre-2020 white papers printed by the Ministry of Justice.
Embassies could have info relating to sexual assault or violence involving their residents in Japan, however that info is tough to entry and isn’t public normally. Statistics involving foreign-on-foreign sexual assaults are even tougher to search out, though instances involving overseas navy personnel are sometimes broadly publicized.
Overseas victims of crime usually discover reporting tough due to language limitations and fears of retaliation or office harassment. Regardless of authorities assurances that efforts are being made to deal with discrimination, foreigners in Japan had been the principle speaking level of 2025’s elections, for instance.
Feminine victims are talking out extra however nonetheless face backlash
Excessive-profile instances involving journalist Shiori Ito (L) and former Self-Protection Forces member Rina Gonoi (R) have helped push sexual assault into Japan’s public dialog, whilst backlash stays frequent. Picture: AP file
Whereas updates to the penal code have enabled extra victims to return ahead, feminine victims nonetheless report problem having their instances investigated or prosecuted.
Ladies talking up has led to modifications in legal guidelines associated to sexual harassment and maternal rights.
Nevertheless, on the subject of sexual assault, it was not till ex-SDF member Rina Gonoi and journalist Shiori Ito’s extremely publicized instances — and the controversy surrounding Ito’s movie “Black Field Diaries” — that many felt comfy sharing their very own experiences.
These experiences additionally spotlight “second rape” or secondary victimization. Secondary victimization refers to victim-blaming by authorities, the media, and the general public after reporting an authentic victimization. The NPA addresses this on their portal website (Japanese) acknowledging that it’s a frequent expertise for victims of crime typically.
The boundaries of self-defense legal guidelines in Japan
Japan’s self-defense legal guidelines place strict limits on how victims could reply, with authorized outcomes usually hinging on timing and proportionality. Picture: KanzilYou/iStock
Taking the regulation into one’s personal arms just isn’t an choice, both.
In instances of groping and sexual assault, one of many first questions victims are requested is whether or not they fought again. Whereas legal guidelines range abroad, an individual’s proper to guard themselves in Japan tends to permit for an affordable — matched — use of power. In Japan, the extent of how one defends themselves can shortly shift a sufferer into the position of aggressor.
In Japan, authorized self-defense (正当防衛, seitou bouei) is complicated. Victims should show the next:
- The assault was unlawful.
- They had been in fast hazard and wanted to defend themselves.
- Their response was proportionate and didn’t contain extreme power.
- They didn’t provoke the assault or proceed defending themselves after the menace had handed.
If any of those situations can’t be confirmed, the sufferer can also be charged as an aggressor.
Japanese case regulation does permit for extenuating circumstances, together with lowered punishment, in instances of extreme self-defense (過剰防衛, kajou bouei).
The place Japan nonetheless falls brief
Whereas Tokyo — and Japan extra broadly — is usually thought of protected, it’s removed from good.
Victims of sexual assault ought to report incidents to police and search help. Nobody ought to should endure such experiences alone.
These looking for assist can go to the TELL Sexual Abuse and Violence Assist Web page or the Sexual Assault Response Middle in Tokyo for extra info.
© Japan At this time
