-
-
-
Loading
Loading
Three former soldiers in Japan have been found guilty of sexually assaulting a female colleague, marking a major verdict in a country where speaking out against sexual violence is often considered taboo. The case gained international attention in 2022 when the victim, Rina Gonoi, shared her story on YouTube. Fukushima prosecutors initially dismissed the charges but later reversed their decision. The three men, Shutaro Shibuya, Akito Sekine, and Yusuke Kimezawa, received a two-year suspended sentence. This is the first significant verdict on sexual assault since Japan updated its sex crime laws in June, which included redefining rape and raising the age of consent. Previous laws had discouraged survivors from coming forward. The incident happened in August 2021 when the three men forcibly pinned Gonoi to a bed and sexually assaulted her while other colleagues laughed. She reported the incident to superiors, but her complaint was dismissed due to lack of witness testimony. Gonoi eventually left the army and shared her story on YouTube, amassing over 100,000 signatures on a petition calling for an investigation. The Japanese defense ministry apologized to her and uncovered over 100 other harassment complaints within the ministry. However, the online abuse and death threats followed. Gonoi has filed a civil lawsuit seeking damages from her perpetrators and the Japanese government for causing her mental distress and failing to prevent the abuse. Sexual assault remains a taboo subject in Japan, but high-profile cases like Gonoi's have shed light on the issue in recent years. The country's sex crime laws were recently overhauled to align the definition of rape with other countries and raise the age of consent to 16. The new laws also outline scenarios where it's challenging for victims to give consent, such as being intoxicated, subjected to violence or threats. Gonoi has been recognized for her bravery and inclusion on prestigious lists like BBC 100 Women and TIME100 Next.