fountainhall
June 19th, 2014, 15:47
ItтАЩs pretty well known by those who spend any time in Japan that porn is everywhere, especially being read on the subway and suburban trains. Porn manga are especially popular. But since it is a cardinal rule in Japanese society that you never encroach on anyone elseтАЩs space, readers are essentially in their own little orbit. In a crowded carriage where you are packed like sardines, some may look at what another is reading, but they do not see. ItтАЩs not their business.
ItтАЩs also pretty clear that some Japanese have a fascination for under-age porn that involves abuse. Now, though, Japan has finally banned the ownership of such images, the last of the 34 OECD countries to do so. (The production and distribution of child porn was actually banned in 1999 but not ownership till now).
According to the BBCтАЩs website, there was major opposition to the parliamentary bill from various sources, including free-speech advocates and publishers. In typically Japanese fashion some arguments ran like this -
Opponents of the bill . . . said it would impinge on freedom of expression and allow authorities to make arbitrary decisions about art. The Japan Magazine Publishers' Association, which represents over 90 publishing companies, posted a statement on its website earlier in June saying the law could "put a strain" on artists and publishing culture.
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-27898841
Freedom of expression? Art? Strain on artists? Publishing culture? Unfortunately, the publishers of the widely read manga comics actually won their case. Their products will not come under the ban. So commuters will no doubt continue to read such volumes on their way to work (most sleep on the way home!) and those who sneak peaks will continue to pretend that they are in fact the works of William Shakespeare :-o
ItтАЩs also pretty clear that some Japanese have a fascination for under-age porn that involves abuse. Now, though, Japan has finally banned the ownership of such images, the last of the 34 OECD countries to do so. (The production and distribution of child porn was actually banned in 1999 but not ownership till now).
According to the BBCтАЩs website, there was major opposition to the parliamentary bill from various sources, including free-speech advocates and publishers. In typically Japanese fashion some arguments ran like this -
Opponents of the bill . . . said it would impinge on freedom of expression and allow authorities to make arbitrary decisions about art. The Japan Magazine Publishers' Association, which represents over 90 publishing companies, posted a statement on its website earlier in June saying the law could "put a strain" on artists and publishing culture.
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-27898841
Freedom of expression? Art? Strain on artists? Publishing culture? Unfortunately, the publishers of the widely read manga comics actually won their case. Their products will not come under the ban. So commuters will no doubt continue to read such volumes on their way to work (most sleep on the way home!) and those who sneak peaks will continue to pretend that they are in fact the works of William Shakespeare :-o