Japan's Ministry of Education has initiated a program termed 'Life Safety Education', aimed at ensuring that children neither become victims nor perpetrators of sexual violence. This educational campaign is a response to a surge of societal concern regarding sexual crimes and was initiated following a comprehensive review of legal measures against such crimes in June 2020. After piloting this program in select schools, it is now being expanded nationwide, focusing on equipping children with the necessary knowledge to understand sexual violence, respect themselves and others, and recognize inappropriate behaviors.

The curriculum consists of materials that cover essential topics such as the definition of private zones, the importance of caring for one’s own body as well as respecting others, and issues like dating violence and online sexual abuse. Importantly, there will be a new emphasis on sexual consent and the experiences of male victims, addressing gaps previously noted in the educational approach. However, critics point out that the content so far may shy away from comprehensive discussions on the consequences of sexual behavior, citing restrictions on teaching specific aspects of sexual health and reproduction that are seen as necessary for full awareness and education.

Despite the program's merits, only a fraction of schools—about 14.8% or roughly 5,663 out of 38,171—are actively utilizing the materials provided by the Ministry, raising concerns about the program's reach and effectiveness. While the Ministry differentiates this education from conventional sexual education by framing it within the context of human rights, the discussions and materials provided continue to evoke debate about their sufficiency in tackling the critical issue of sexual violence among youth in Japan.