Japan Overhauls Rape Law, Raises Age of Consent in Landmark Move

Japan passed a landmark sex-crime bill on Friday, in a long fought-for bid to make a range of sexual offenses, including rape, photo voyeurism and online child-grooming, more easily punishable.

The amendments to the Penal Code change the term for the crime of “forced sexual intercourse” to “non-consensual sexual intercourse,” widening the scope of cases that can be treated as an offense.

It specifies eight scenarios in which intercourse can be deemed non-consensual, including evidence of force or intimidation, the use of alcohol or drugs, and taking advantage of economic or social status.

Problems of consent had previously been little ...