Japan unveiled its new anti-sexual assault measures to protect minors in the country. These new efforts were revealed on Wednesday, July 27. The Children and Families Agency decided to lead the new anti-sexual assault measures. 

Japan Reveals New Anti-Sexual Assault Measures to Protect Minors

(Photo: KAZUHIRO NOGI/AFP via Getty Images) Members of the House of Councilors vote on a bill to revise the Penal Code in line with the reality of sex crimes at the plenary session of the House of Councillors in Tokyo on June 16, 2023.

According to Japan Times' latest report, the new emergency measures against sexual assaults will protect children, as well as young adults from sex offenders. 

One of the Japanese government's efforts is setting up a new hotline for male sexual assault victims. 
Once it goes live (expected to be active in September), male sex abuse victims of all ages can benefit from it. 

"Ideally, all hotlines should be able to support anyone, regardless of their gender or age," said Shiawase Namida's Chairperson Hiromi Nakano. 

However, he explained that Japan is behind in building resources and counselors that excel at supporting male victims. 

This is why establishing a new hotline is a very critical step for the government.

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Barring Sex Offenders From Working With Children Included 

(Photo: PHILIP FONG/AFP via Getty Images) This picture taken on February 15, 2023, shows a general view of the old Ministry of Justice building, part of the ministry's headquarters, in Tokyo. - A Japanese justice ministry panel proposed Friday hiking the country's century-old age of consent, currently among the world's lowest at just 13, as part of a major overhaul of sex crime legislation.

Aside from the new hotline, the Japanese government also wants to have its own version of Britain's DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service). 

If this really happens, sex offenders can be prevented from working with children. 

Applicants who want to work in schools, nurseries, and other places with children need to submit documents proving that they have no record of sex and other similar offenses.

Another effort of the Japanese government is to increase awareness of what can be considered as sexual assault. 

This is because many young Japanese residents are not aware that what other people are doing to them is already sexual abuse.  

Other Anti-Sex Abuse Efforts in Japan

In June, the Japanese government made a critical move after expanding raising the age for sexual consent to 16 years old. 

NPR reported that for the past decades, Japan has considered 13 years old of being old enough to consent to sexual activities. 

Thankfully, this was changed in June after the parliament passed legislation to redefine rape as nonconsensual sexual intercourse and raise the age of consent to 16 years old.

You can click this link to learn more about the adjustment in law made by the Japanese government. 

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