Sexual Violence Survivors Speak Up and Change the Law in Japanese Documentary
In March 2019, the Nagoya District Court’s Okazaki branch acquitted a man accused of having sexually abused his teenage daughter for years. Although the court recognized that the abuse was against her will, it said that her condition “fell short of being recognized as incapable of resistance.”
A Japanese documentary titled "Voices Make Change" ("Koe o Ageru to Iu Koto") delves into the efforts of sexual violence survivors to alter Japan's legal system. The film, directed by Saki Hamaji, chronicles the Flower Demo movement that emerged in May 2019. The movement gained momentum to revise Japan's Penal Code after a series of acquittals in sexual violence cases in March 2019.
The documentary highlights how Flower Demo gatherings, where survivors shared their stories, helped build momentum for the Penal Code revision. The crime was previously termed "forcible sexual intercourse," but the revised law now uses "nonconsensual sexual intercourse" to charge perpetrators even if victims cannot express their consent. The film features survivors of various backgrounds, including a woman who was sexually assaulted by a male coworker and another who experienced abuse from her brother as a child.
One of the key figures in the film is Jun Yamamoto, who was part of an expert panel that helped revise the Penal Code. Hamaji's documentary focuses on the Flower Demo gatherings without background music, allowing the audience to witness the genuine reactions of survivors and listeners. The film's release comes after the revised Penal Code was enacted in July 2023, which now allows charges even if victims cannot resist due to fear or other reasons.
Hamaji, who was once skeptical about the impact of people speaking up, witnessed firsthand the power of survivor voices in changing society. She hopes that the documentary will inspire audiences to challenge societal norms and speak out about injustices. The documentary is currently being screened in Japan, and English subtitles are being prepared for international screenings.
Written by urgent.news from The Japan News by The Yomiuri Shimbun's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
