The criminal law on sexual offenses in Japan was revised in 2017 to recognize men as potential victims of rape involving penile penetration. Until this legislative change, men were not legally regarded as rape victims. Male sexual victimization remains a highly invisible phenomenon. Even after the press worldwide reported sexual violence by Johnny's production to boys and men, it is extremely difficult for male victimization to be recognized. This study explored the lived experiences of male victims of sexual violence and analyzed it from phenomenological perspectives. The findings revealed that gender and sexuality norms influenced the process of recognizing the events, which was sexually involuntary or unwanted, as sexual violence. Moreover, two concepts were generated as essential for the formation of victim recognition - "access to reliable information" and "relativization of positionality of masculinities." These factors enabled them to move forward to gain a sense of being a victim and acknowledge their experiences as sexual violence. Japanese society continues to be shaped by rigid gender and sexuality norms, which create challenges not only for public recognition of male victimization but also for survivors' self-recognition. Therefore, psychological support must consider the pervasive influence of social norms to providing individual care.