Justice Served: Japanese Ex-Soldiers Convicted in Landmark Sexual Assault Case

Three ex-soldiers in Japan have been found guilty of sexually assaulting a female colleague, in a landmark verdict following Rina Gonoi's public outcry and YouTube video in 2022. Speaking out against sexual violence in Japan is rare and remains a taboo, but this ruling is seen as a step towards encouraging victims to speak out. The verdict comes after Japan overhauled its sex crime laws in June 2022, redefining rape and raising the age of consent. Activists hope that this ruling will bring attention to survivors of sexual violence and hold perpetrators accountable.