Rape in Japan
Rape in Japan is sexual assault involving sexual penetration carried out against a person without their consent in the nation. Victims and perpetrators include Japanese citizens, residents, and foreign nationals from a wide range of backgrounds and every social class.
Some are victims of drugging, alcohol-facilitated incapacitated rape, gang rape, kidnapping, threats, torture, murder, sexual slavery, and sex trafficking in Japan as well slavery in Japan. Cybersex trafficking, filmed rape, and coerced rape pornography are issues. Videos of rape, including incest and the molestation of minors, have been shared in chat rooms. Victims have been raped on public transportation and in residences, education facilities, workplaces, and other locations. Rapes during break ins and home invasions have occurred.
Victims suffer from physical and psychological trauma, including post-traumatic stress disorder, ostracization, and, at times, suicide. The contraction of sexually transmitted diseases and unwanted pregnancies from rape have occurred. Victims have lacked systemic support for counseling, therapy, and public services. There has been victim blaming and perpetuation of rape myths. Perpetrators have included, but are not limited to, athletes, hospitality workers, reporters, prosecutors, politicians, military personnel, students, teachers, and taxi drivers. Perpetrators have been acquainted with the victims or have been strangers.
Japanese courts and judges have been criticized for handing out light sentences and acquitting perpetrators. Some Japanese law enforcement have been censured for their lack of care concerning rape victim reports and investigations
Japanese police have discouraged victims from reporting rapes.
Rape cases have been dropped by police, but victims pursue civil cases; some result in settlements or low compensation. Victims who come forward have received backlash on social media and threats.
The extent of rape in the nation is unknown because of the lack of reporting and other factors, but there have been incidents that reached the public's attention.
History
Rape in Japan has been recorded from ancient times to the present. Ishikozume executions were carried out against alleged perpetrators of rape in Ancient Japan. During the Edo period, power holders, such as Inoue Masamoto, raped women. During the Meiji, Taishō, and early Shōwa eras, rapes committed by Genzo Kurita, Ryuun Daimai, Satarō Fukiage, Seisaku Nakamura, and Yoshio Kodaira received media attention.Rape was committed by Imperial Japanese Armed Forces personnel throughout the Empire of Japan during the Asia–Pacific War. Comfort women from Japan and other nations were sex trafficked and sexually assaulted throughout the Japanese mainland and Japanese-occupied territories.
There was rape during the occupation of Japan and afterwards by United States Armed Forces personnel. The 1945 Katsuyama killing incident, Yumiko-chan incident, 1995 Okinawa rape incident, and other occurrences were reported. Rapes continue to be committed in Japan by U.S. service members and contractors. Rapes have led to protests against the US military presence in Okinawa and other prefectures. Sexual assaults have also been committed by personnel in the Japan Self-Defense Forces and by government workers.
Juvenile and adult rapes in the country's post-war included, but were not limited to, the rape, torture, and murder of Junko Furuta, the Super Free incidents, Johnny Kitagawa sexual abuse scandal, and crimes committed by Joji Obara, Kiyoshi Ōkubo, Koichi Shoji, Mamoru Takuma, Masato Uchishiba, Noriyuki Yamaguchi, Yasunori Suzuki, and Yukio Yamaji.
Rape media have been produced in Japan.