U.N. Tells Japan to Ban Manga With Child Porn Content

U.N. Tells Japan to Ban Manga With Child Porn Content

TOKYO — The U.N.’s special rapporteur on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography, Maud de Boer-Buquicchio, has asked Japan to ban manga comics that have "extreme child pornographic content," a move that critics say would limit artistic freedom of expression.

Japan did ban the possession of child sexual imagery in June 2014, but such depictions are not forbidden in manga comics, video games or animated movies. 

"ASACP was very gratified when Japan finally criminalized child pornography involving actual children," Tim Henning, executive director of the Association of Sites Advocating Child Protection (ASACP), told XBIZ. "Criminalizing sexually explicit images that do not depict real children or virtual child pornography, which arguably includes manga and anime, is a much more debated topic globally."

"While some countries have outlawed this material others have not," added Henning. "The viewpoint of those that have outlawed it is that it contributes to the abuse of actual children and therefore society needs to be protected from it. Those that have not believe there is no evidence to support that it contributes to the abuse of actual children and since no actual children have been harmed or exploited in the creation of the content — it falls under the protections of artistic freedom of speech and expression — as is currently also the case in the U.S."

Manga translator Dan Kanemitsu believes de Boer-Buquicchio is "mixing reality with fiction,” because he sees a distinction between images featuring actual children and the childlike characters in manga comics. 

“There is no such thing as manga and anime child pornography,” Kanemitsu said. “Child pornography entails the involvement of children, and we must confront it for that reason. [De Boer-Buquicchio] meant sexualized depictions of childish looking characters in manga and anime. Many male and female artists in Japan draw characters in an art style that looks childish to western eyes. Therefore it is a rejection of an art style popular in Japan.”

De Boer-Buquicchio recently concluded an eight-day inspection of sexual abuse crimes in Japan, where she met with victims, various nongovernmental organizations, public officials, law enforcement representatives and the judiciary. 

“Investigations and prosecutions are hardly ever initiated without a complaint lodged by the child victim," she said. "The few cases that are prosecuted often end up with convictions that are suspended or entail low penalties, such as fines." 

Related:  

Copyright © 2024 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

Fleshy to Launch Interactive Cam Site 'Eremote'

Male pleasure brand Fleshy has announced that it will launch an interactive, bidirectional cam site next month called Eremote.

XBIZ LA Show Introduces New 'Crib Crawl' Feature

XBIZ is pleased to announce that the 2025 edition of its flagship conference, the XBIZ Show, will debut a brand-new feature: Crib Crawl, offering attendees the chance to meet and greet representatives from leading brands and organizations in dedicated suites at the host venue.

Pre-Nominations Now Open for 2025 TEAs

The pre-nomination period for the 2025 Trans Erotica Awards (TEAs) is now open.

Byborg Invests $22.35M in PLBY Group

Luxembourg-based Byborg Enterprises SA is investing $22.35 million in Playboy parent company PLBY Group.

Supreme Court to Hear Oral Arguments on Texas AV Law in January

The United States Supreme Court has scheduled oral arguments for Free Speech Coalition's challenge to Texas’ age verification law to take place Wednesday, Jan. 15.

2025 XBIZ Exec Awards Nominees for Online Industry Announced

XBIZ is pleased to announce the nominees for the online industry edition of the 2025 XBIZ Exec Awards, set to be presented as part of the annual XBIZ Honors ceremony on Wednesday, Jan. 15 in conjunction with the XBIZ 2025 conference.

Project 2025 Leader Claims Big Tech Companies 'Deliberately Fuel Pornography Addiction' Among Men

Heritage Foundation president and Project 2025 leader Kevin Roberts published on Wednesday the text of a speech in which he persists with his past claim that “predatory Big Tech corporations” are “deliberately fueling pornography addiction” among young men.

FSC Petitions 10th Circuit for Review of Utah AV Dismissal

Free Speech Coalition (FSC) on Wednesday petitioned the United States Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit to review a decision handed down earlier this month by a three-judge panel of the same appeals court, which denied FSC the right to challenge Utah’s controversial age verification law by suing state officials.

MyAdultAttorney's Corey D. Silverstein to Hold Post-Election Legal Impact Webinar

Industry attorney Corey D. Silverstein will hold a “Legal Impact” webinar titled “We Have a New U.S. President: Legal and Community Implications” on Nov. 12 at 1 p.m. PST.

Pornhub Shuts Down Access in Oklahoma Over Age Verification

Aylo began geo-blocking Pornhub across Oklahoma on Tuesday, three days in advance of the state’s new age verification law, SB 1959, taking effect.

Show More