A Japanese district court delivered its verdict on Tuesday in the criminal case against three ex-soldiers accused of sexually assaulting their female colleague, Rina Gonoi, in 2021. The accused were found guilty of “forcible indecency” under Article 176 of the Japanese Penal Code in the Fukushima District Court and received two-year prison sentences, suspended for four years. The verdict stands as a landmark moment, challenging taboos in Japan’s traditional, male-dominated society.
In 2021, the three defendants forced themselves upon Gonoi and assaulted her. They denied that their acts amounted to sexual assault, claiming they wanted to make people laugh. Gonoi initially reported the assault within the military, hoping for an internal resolution.
Despite the defendants’ dishonorable discharge, Gonoi, dissatisfied with the lack of further action, left the military and turned to YouTube to share her side of the story. The viral video attracted global attention, prompting the Defense Ministry to acknowledge the assault and prosecutors to reopen the case. The case instigated a Defense Ministry inquiry, revealing over 1,400 instances of sexual and other forms of harassment within the Self-Defense Force (SDF).
During a press conference with the Foreign Correspondents Club of Japan (FCCJ) on Wednesday, Gonoi expressed her desire for fundamental change within the SDF, acknowledging that such progress will be gradual. She believes the Fukushima District Court’s verdict contributes to an understanding that such crimes must be acknowledged as crimes, eliminating the need for survivors to go public with their experiences. Amnesty International has described the case as a “rare victory for sexual assault victims.”
In June, Japan addressed public outrage over rape acquittals by broadening the definition of rape to include “non-consensual sexual intercourse.” Prior laws categorized rape as “forcible sexual intercourse,” which left many victims unprotected. Additionally, the nation raised the age of consent from 13 to 16.
The three defendants in Tuesday’s case have 14 days to file for an appeal. A civil case against the three accused, along with two superiors and the Japanese state, remains ongoing.
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