強姦罪
彼は強姦罪で起訴された。
He was indicted for rape.
A criminal offense involving non-consensual sexual intercourse, punishable under Japanese penal law.
強姦罪の法定刑は、5年以上の有期懲役である。
The statutory penalty for rape is imprisonment with forced labor for a minimum of five years.
被害者は強姦罪で加害者を告訴した。
The victim filed a complaint against the perpetrator for rape.
In Japanese law, 強姦罪 (Article 177 of the Penal Code) historically required proof of vaginal penetration by a male perpetrator against a female victim. Revisions in 2017 expanded the definition to include male victims and non-vaginal penetration (e.g., anal or oral), renaming the offense to different terminology (e.g., 非合意性交等罪). However, 強姦罪 remains colloquially used to refer to the broader concept of rape.
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Legal vs. Colloquial Use
強姦罪 is a legal term. In everyday speech, レイプ (rape) or 性暴力 (sexual violence) are more common. Always use 強姦罪 in formal/legal contexts.
Gold Rule
Sensitivity in Usage
Avoid discussing 強姦罪 casually. If referring to the crime, use neutral phrasing like 性犯罪 (sexual crime) unless discussing legal proceedings.
Word Origin
Composed of 強姦 (gōkan, 'rape' from 強 'force' + 姦 'illicit sexual intercourse') and 罪 (zai, 'crime'). The term reflects traditional legal framing of rape as a violent act against societal norms.
Usage Notes
A highly sensitive legal term; avoid casual use. In media, alternatives like 性暴力 (sexual violence) or 性的暴行 (sexual assault) are often preferred for broader contexts. Direct reference to 強姦罪 may be triggering for survivors.