No penalties for late students reporting sexual assault in Japan

The Japanese government has requested schools not to penalize students for being late to class if they were filing a police report regarding a sexual assault they experienced during their commute to school. The request is part of the government's anti-groping campaign aimed to eliminate “chikan” (public molestation) and protect students on Tokyo trains during the country’s school and college entrance exam season. The country’s education ministry explained that students worried about their academic record are discouraged to report instances of sexual assault on public transportation in fear of being punished for missing school or being late.