Outrage in Japan as Former Politician Escapes Jail Time for Rape of 12-Year-Old

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Controversy erupted in Japan following a Tokyo court's decision to grant probation to former politician Tamotsu Shiiki, convicted of raping a 12-year-old girl. The Tokyo District Court sentenced Shiiki to three years in prison, but suspended the sentence for five years, citing his expression of remorse and compensation paid to the victim, according to presiding judge Chikako Murata.

This decision has sparked public outcry amid rising awareness of sexual crimes in Japan, particularly as Shiiki's case highlights perceived leniency towards powerful offenders. “The justice system has collapsed,” commented user Reika8833 on social media platform X, while Jake Adelstein, former reporter for the Yomiuri newspaper, noted that men of influence often evade harsher penalties unless their actions significantly disrupt societal order.

Despite recent reforms aimed at tightening sexual violence laws, experts argue that the judicial approach remains inconsistent. David Johnson, a legal scholar, emphasized that rape is treated differently from other violent crimes without justification. However, statistics show an increase in reported sexual offenses, suggesting a potential shift in societal attitudes towards such crimes.

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