Appeal board made by participants in Flower Demo, Tokyo, Japan (2020), Author Breaklily (CC BY-SA 4.0 International)
Sexual violence against women has historically been associated with shame and stigma in Japan. The laws were drawn in such a way as to excuse the behavior of male defendants, while simultaneously disregarding women’s rights.
At last, however, the country has raised the age of consent from 13 to 16 years, and redefined rape to include non-consensual intercourse [1]. Proof of force is no longer a prerequisite to conviction. Photo voyeurism (including upskirting) has, also, been criminalized.
These long overdue reforms were prompted by Flower Demo, a Japanese movement protesting sexual violence against women [2][3]. Those taking part carried flowers to reflect their empathy for victims.
Several scandalous rape cases brought attention to the issue, drawing public outrage. One involved a highly intoxicated woman. Another involved a 15 y.o. her assailant had held pinned to a wall. Still another involved incest ongoing for a period of years.
Sin Nature
Violence against women is a byproduct of the sin nature of mankind. It is perpetuated by an attitude that women are mere sex objects, by the use of disparaging sexist language, and by the glorification of sexual assault.
Rape, in this context, is not just a notch on the assailant’s belt. It is an act of machismo, proof of masculinity (albeit toxic).
Any shame associated with the act is displaced to the victim.
This is not what God intended. When He created men and women, He created them as equals.
—
[1] BBC, “Japan redefines rape and raises age of consent in landmark move” by Kelly Ng, 6/16/23, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-65887198.
[2] Wikipedia, “Flower Demo”, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flower_Demo.
[3] Zenbird, “Flower Demo, the protests battling Japan’s sexual violence against women” by Kirsty Kawano, 11/25/20, https://zenbird.media/flower-demo-the-protests-battling-japans-sexual-violence-against-women/.
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ANNA WALDHERR A Voice Reclaimed, Surviving Child Abuse and More 
Vielen Dank dafür, dass Du dieses sensible Thema aufgegriffen und fundiert dargestellt hast. LG M.
Leider ist dieses Problem nicht auf ein einzelnes Land beschränkt. LG, A. ❤
It is commendable that Japan did away with ages of traditions.
Yes, tradition is not always a good thing. Female genital mutilation is an example.
I was thinking about the same thing, dear Anna.
Very glad abt those reforms. thanks for posting.
Always good to hear from you, Swami. ❤
Do they want their own mothers treated with such criminal degradation ? More countries than just Japan harbor these dreadful anti women traditions. It seems in some countries the men treat their camels better than the women.
Sad but true.
You are right, Anna, this is not what God intended! Grateful for this movement to make much needed changes. I had no idea this went on in Japan.
Sadly, these are worldwide issues. ❤
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The fact that the blame is passed from the assailant to the victim is terrible and especially revealing
I had no idea these traits are shared across cultures
Very scary
At least there is hope in Flower Demo
Thank you for posting Anna 🙏
The harm human beings do to one another takes many forms. Those forms may be influenced by culture. But the universal source is the sin nature of mankind. That goes deeper than culture.
Like you, I hope Flower Demo changes attitudes.
A true Christian 🙏