The 'Japan Age of Consent Increase' meme emerged following the 2023 decision by the Japanese government to raise the national age of consent from 13 to 16. This landmark legal shift was widely discussed across social media platforms like X, Reddit, and 4chan, where users began creating satirical reaction memes. The humor typically focuses on the perceived 'devastation' of certain online subcultures, particularly those associated with anime or niche gaming, who are often stereotyped in internet culture. The meme format usually pairs a headline about the law change with images of characters or real people looking distressed, serving as a mix of social commentary and edgy internet satire.