Sayonara to Freedom of Speech in Tokyo?

Dan Kunimitsu, a famous Japanese blogger expressed that the current legislation is not a “ban per se”, but it does limit a company to produce materials that are harmful to those under 18 years-old. Unlike in the U.S., where distributors are the ones under pressure and subject to penalty, not the producers.

What’s odd about this new act by the government is that the legislation specifically restricts anime, manga and video games but doesn’t transcend to novels, movies, or television shows. A little unfair considering that the latter are also easily accessed by minors. Tokyo government tries to calm the storm as they explain through The Mainichi Daily News, “only manga and animation that glorifies or exaggerates illegal sexual acts will be subject to the regulations, and freedom of expression will not be violated.”

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