Revised law imposing tougher penalties on sex crimes takes effect in Japan

A revision of Japan's century-old criminal law came into force on Thursday, imposing tougher prison terms for sex offenders and bringing changes that allow the state to prosecute even if charges are not brought by a victim.The legislation, passed last month, marked the first revision to the law since it was enacted during the Meiji Era (1868-1912). The sweeping changes came in response to calls by victims and their supporters for heavier punishment for sex crimes.Under the revised law, the minimum sentence for rape is raised to five years from the previous three, while the definition of rap…READ FULL ARTICLE