Things Okay in Japan but Illegal Around the World

Paolo fromTOKYO

1 Apr 202208:25

Summary

TLDRThis video explores surprising Japanese laws that are legal in Japan but illegal globally. It highlights Japan's low age of consent at 13, the legality of marrying first cousins since 1898, and the unique defamation law allowing suits even if the damaging statements are true. The video also touches on the controversial legality of whale and dolphin hunting, and the consumption of certain marine animals. Additionally, it mentions the relative laxity in cigarette regulations, such as buying cigarettes from vending machines and smoking in certain indoor spaces. The video serves as an intriguing insight into Japanese legal peculiarities, sparking debate and curiosity.

Takeaways

🇯🇵 The legal age of consent in Japan is 13 years old, which is one of the lowest in the world and has been unchanged since 1907.
🧍‍♂️ It is legal in Japan to marry your first cousin, a practice dating back to the Meiji period and still common with a specific term 'Itokokon'.
🐋 Hunting whales and dolphins, as well as eating seal and sea lion, is legal in Japan, despite being illegal in many parts of the world.
🚬 In Japan, it is still legal to buy cigarettes from vending machines and smoke in certain indoor spaces, such as hotel rooms and some restaurants and bars.
🦈 Eating shark fin is legal in Japan, and it is considered a delicacy that is commonly found in Chinese restaurants.
📖 Defamation law in Japan allows individuals to sue for damage to their honor, even if the damaging statements are true.
🤝 The criteria for defamation in Japan include the statement being false, causing damage, and being communicated to a third party.
👥 There are exceptions to defamation laws in Japan, such as stating facts about public interest or whistleblowing to expose company fraud.
💼 There have been real cases in Japan where people have successfully sued for defamation, even when the damaging statements were true.
🎁 The video features a sponsored shout-out to Bokksu, a service providing a gourmet experience of Japanese snacks and tea.
📺 The video aims to inform and entertain, not to encourage any of the actions mentioned, and is not intended as legal advice.

Q & A

What is the legal age of consent in Japan and why is it significant?
-The legal age of consent in Japan is 13 years old, which is one of the lowest in the world. It signifies the minimum age at which a person is considered capable of giving consent to sexual acts. This law has been part of the Japan penal code since 1907 and has not changed for over a hundred years.
Is it legal to marry your first cousin in Japan and what is the historical background of this law?
-Yes, it is legal to marry your first cousin in Japan. This law dates back to the Meiji period in 1898. The reason behind this law was to allow families to keep their wealth within the family.
What is the term used in Japan for marrying one's first cousin and are there any notable examples?
-The term used in Japan for marrying one's first cousin is 'Itokokon'. Notable examples include Japan's 56th Prime Minister, who was married to his first cousin, and two subsequent Prime Ministers who also married their first cousins.
How does Japan's defamation law differ from the understanding of defamation in the U.S.?
-In Japan, you can sue someone for defamation even if the statements are true, as long as they damage your honor or public image. This differs from the U.S. where defamation typically requires false statements that are damaging to a person's reputation.
What are the main criteria for defamation in Japan?
-The main criteria for defamation in Japan include: the statement must be false, it must be communicated to a third party, and it must cause damage to the honor of the person or company.
Can you provide examples of defamation cases in Japan mentioned in the script?
-Two examples are given: Case 1 involves a person who sued a third party for posting about their affair on social media, resulting in a 100,000 yen award. Case 2 involves a magazine publishing an anonymous report about a quasi-rape incident, where the subject was awarded 4.4 million yen despite the incident being true and the subject being anonymous.
Why is it legal to hunt whales and dolphins in Japan?
-Hunting whales and dolphins, as well as eating seal and sea lion, is legal in Japan as it is part of the diet for some Japanese people. It is easily found in shops and restaurants, and is also available online.
What is the situation regarding the consumption of shark meat in Japan?
-The consumption of shark meat is legal in Japan and is probably more commonly eaten than whale or dolphin meat. It is considered a delicacy and is often found in Chinese restaurants throughout the country.
What are some of the legal activities related to cigarettes in Japan that may not be legal in other parts of the world?
-In Japan, it is still legal to buy cigarettes from vending machines with a Taspo photo ID card, and to smoke in certain indoor areas such as hotel rooms, cigar bars, and some small restaurants and bars that were open before April 2020.
How has Japan's approach to smoking in indoor public places evolved over the years?
-Japan has come a long way from a few years ago when smoking was allowed almost everywhere indoors. As of 2020, most indoor smoking has been prohibited, but there are still exceptions for certain establishments.
What is the purpose of the video and what type of content does the creator provide?
-The purpose of the video is to inform and entertain by highlighting laws in Japan that are legal there but illegal in the rest of the world. The creator provides content related to Japanese culture, laws, and travel advice.

Outlines

00:00

😮 Shocking Japanese Laws Legal Abroad

The video script discusses laws in Japan that are legal there but illegal in many other parts of the world. It starts by mentioning the legal age of consent in Japan, which is 13 years old, one of the lowest globally. This law has been part of the Japan penal code since 1907 and leaves some ambiguity for specific cases. The script also touches on the legality of marrying one's first cousin in Japan, a practice dating back to the Meiji period in 1898, with several notable figures, including past Prime Ministers, having done so. Another surprising law is Japan's defamation statute, which allows individuals to sue for damage to their honor, even if the defamatory statements are true. The criteria for defamation in Japan are explained, and two real-life cases are cited to illustrate how the law is applied. The video also addresses the legality of hunting whales and dolphins, and eating seal and sea lion, which, while part of the diet for some, is not commonly consumed by most Japanese. Lastly, the script points out that, despite increasing restrictions, Japan still allows the purchase of cigarettes from vending machines and some indoor smoking in certain establishments that were open before April 2020.

05:02

🐋 Legality of Whaling and Cigarette Use in Japan

Continuing from the previous paragraph, the script delves into the controversial topic of whaling in Japan, which remains legal despite international criticism. It mentions that while hunting whales and dolphins is legal, it is not a regular part of most Japanese diets, and the same applies to the consumption of seal and sea lion. The script also notes that shark fin, a more commonly eaten and accepted delicacy in Japan, is also legal and can be found on menus, particularly in Chinese restaurants. The video then shifts to discuss the legal aspects of cigarette use in Japan. It highlights that, unlike many countries with strict anti-smoking laws, Japan still permits the purchase of cigarettes from vending machines for those with a Taspo photo ID card and of legal age. Additionally, it points out that indoor smoking is still allowed in certain hotel rooms, cigar bars, and some small restaurants and bars that were established before April 2020. The script concludes by acknowledging the progress Japan has made in recent years regarding smoking regulations, but also suggests that there is still room for improvement.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Age of Consent

The 'Age of Consent' refers to the minimum age at which a person is considered capable of giving consent to sexual acts. In the context of the video, it is highlighted that Japan's legal age of consent is 13 years old, which is one of the lowest in the world. This is a significant part of the video's theme as it showcases a Japanese law that is legal in Japan but illegal in the rest of the world.

💡First Cousin Marriage

The term 'First Cousin Marriage' refers to the legal practice of marrying one's first cousin. The video script explains that in Japan, it is legal to marry one's first cousin, which is not the case in many other parts of the world. This law dates back to Japan's Meiji period and is exemplified in the script by mentioning historical figures like Japan's 56th Prime Minister who married his first cousin.

💡Defamation

Defamation is a legal term that refers to the act of damaging someone's reputation by making false statements. The video script reveals a unique aspect of Japanese law where defamation can occur even if the statements are true, provided they damage someone's honor or public image. This concept is central to the video's theme as it illustrates a legal peculiarity in Japan that contrasts with laws in other countries.

💡Honor

In the script, 'Honor' is discussed in the context of Japanese defamation law, where hurting someone's honor or a company's honor is protected by law, even if the damaging statements are true. The concept of honor is integral to understanding the cultural and legal differences highlighted in the video, as it underscores the importance placed on reputation and public image in Japanese society.

💡Whaling

Whaling is the practice of hunting whales for meat, oil, and other products. The video script mentions that hunting whales and dolphins, as well as eating seal and sea lion, is legal in Japan. This is a sensitive topic and part of the video's theme, as it presents a cultural practice that is legal in Japan but is illegal or controversial in other parts of the world.

💡Cigarettes

The script discusses the legal aspects of cigarettes in Japan, including the ability to purchase them from vending machines and the relative laxity of indoor smoking regulations compared to other countries. This keyword is relevant to the video's theme as it highlights another area where Japanese law differs from global norms, showing a more permissive stance towards tobacco use.

💡Taspo Photo ID Card

The 'Taspo Photo ID Card' is a system in Japan that is used to verify the age of individuals purchasing cigarettes from vending machines. The script mentions this as an example of a legal measure in Japan that is different from other countries where such purchases are more strictly controlled.

💡Indoor Smoking

Indoor smoking refers to the practice of smoking tobacco products inside enclosed public spaces or private establishments. The video script notes that despite recent restrictions, indoor smoking is still allowed in certain places in Japan, such as hotel rooms and cigar bars, which contrasts with stricter regulations in other parts of the world.

💡Cigar Bars

Cigar bars are establishments specifically designed for the enjoyment of cigars. The script mentions that smoking in cigar bars is still legal in Japan, which is an example of a cultural and legal allowance that differs from many other countries where such activities are more restricted.

💡Shark Fin

The script briefly touches on the legality of eating shark fin in Japan, which is a delicacy and a point of controversy due to environmental and ethical concerns. This keyword is part of the video's theme as it presents another example of a legal practice in Japan that is viewed differently globally.

💡International Whaling Commission

The International Whaling Commission (IWC) is an international organization that regulates whaling. The video script references Joji Morishita, who negotiated Japan's withdrawal from the IWC, as part of the discussion on the legality of whaling in Japan. This keyword is significant as it connects the video's theme to international law and environmental policy.

Highlights

The legal age of consent in Japan is 13 years old, which is one of the lowest in the world.

Japan's age of consent has remained unchanged since 1907, with some gray areas for specific cases.

Marrying your first cousin is legal in Japan, dating back to the Meiji period in 1898.

The term 'Itokokon' is used in Japan to refer to marrying one's first cousin, which has been common among the Japanese elite.

In Japan, defamation laws protect individuals' honor, even if the damaging statements are true.

Three criteria define defamation in Japan: false statements, public dissemination, and damage to honor.

Statements about affairs, even if true, can be considered defamation if they harm an individual's honor.

Online defamation is also recognized in Japan if it meets the three criteria of traditional defamation.

Whale and dolphin hunting, as well as eating seal and sea lion, is legal in Japan.

Despite being legal, most Japanese people do not regularly consume whale, dolphin, seal, or sea lion meat.

Eating shark is legal and more common in Japan, often found in Chinese restaurants.

Japan has been slow to implement strict anti-smoking laws compared to other parts of the world.

Cigarette vending machines are still legal in Japan, requiring a Taspo photo ID card and proof of age.

Indoor smoking is mostly prohibited, but exceptions exist for certain establishments open before April 2020.

Japan has made progress in restricting indoor smoking in recent years.