A Japanese justice ministry panel proposed on Friday raising the age of consent in the country, currently among the lowest in the world, from 13 to 16.
The move is part of a package of reforms, which would clarify rape prosecution requirements and criminalize voyeurism.
Under current Japanese law, sexual activity with children at least 13 years old is not considered statutory rape, since they are considered capable of consent.
This leaves room for perpetrators to “shift blame to the victims, and argue that sex was initiated or enjoyed by the children”, Kazuna Kanajiri, an activist fighting pornography and sexual exploitation, told AFP.
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