Opposition lawmaker Hiranao Honda to quit over age of consent comments

Jul 28, 2021 | News On Japan

Jul 28, 2021 (Japan Times) - Lawmaker Hiranao Honda expressed his intention to step down on Tuesday, after leaving the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan the same day over inappropriate comments he made regarding the age of consent.

The CDP leadership accepted his resignation from the party, instead of suspending his party membership for a year as had been considered.

In a news conference, Honda suggested that he will step down as a member of the House of Representatives, the lower chamber of parliament, noting that he was elected on the CDP ticket from a proportional representation bloc.

In a party meeting on May 10, Honda is believed to have said: “I’m not far off 50 years old, but if I had sex with a 14-year-old, I would be arrested, even if there was consent. It’s strange.” The comment drew criticism from both in and outside the party.

Honda withdrew the remark and apologized, and Fukuyama gave him a verbal warning.

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