As part of a revision to its sex crime laws, Japan is considering raising the consent age from 13 to 16.
Japan has had a constant age of consent since 1907, making it one of the lowest in the world and among the G7 countries.
It is 14 in Germany and Italy, 15 in Greece and France, and 16 in the UK and several American states.
Japan's justice ministry group has suggested raising the consent age.
Voyeurism and the grooming of children will be made illegal as a result of the change, which would also broaden the definition of rape.
According to current legislation, rape victims must demonstrate that "violence and intimidation" were employed to get a conviction.The concept was expanded to include intoxication, drug use, being caught off guard, and psychological control while maintaining the original phrase.
Yusuke Asanuma, a representative of the Justice Ministry, stated that the suggestions "would hopefully make court rulings more consistent."
The action comes in response to a string of rape convictions overturned on appeal in 2019 that provoked widespread demonstrations, including one in which a man was accused of raping his adolescent daughter.
Even though the court agreed that it was against her will, he was exonerated. The verdict was challenged by the prosecution, and the individual was subsequently imprisoned.The failure of current legislation to safeguard children from sexual offences has long been criticised.
According to the Kyodo news agency, Ken Saito, minister of justice, has received the panel's recommendations.
The modifications might be approved by the Japanese government as early as the summer.
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