Japan Raises Age of Consent to 16, Reforms Sex Crime Laws

Japan's parliament raised the age of sexual consent from 13 to 16 as part of an overhaul of laws related to sex crimes.
The new laws redefine rape to include non-consensual sexual acts and extend the statute of limitations for reporting rape to 15 years.
The reforms aim to provide greater protection for victims of sexual crimes and increase punishments for perpetrators.
The changes were spurred by public outcry over a case where a man who raped his daughter was acquitted.
While new LGBTQ protections were passed, activists say the law does not guarantee equal rights.