Japan Redefines Rape Laws and Raises Age of Consent to 16 in Landmark Move.

Japan has passed a series of bills overhauling its sex crime laws, including expanding the definition of rape to place greater emphasis on consent, introducing national legislation against taking explicit photos with hidden cameras, and raising the age of consent to 16. The previous age of consent, at 13, had been among the lowest in the developed world. The new laws mark a major victory for sexual assault survivors and activists, who have spent decades lobbying for these changes. However, much work remains to be done, including extending the statute of limitations and recognizing power imbalances in cases involving authority figures.