Japan to tighten censorships laws on Manga cartoons

19 Mar 10 | Index Index, minipost, Uncategorized

An amendment to youth welfare legislation set to go before the Tokyo Metropolitan General Assembly today could potentially ban all provocative visual depictions of “nonexistent minors”. The action is part of an attempt to crackdown on child pornography, but Japanese Manga artists and the online community have criticised lawmakers actions. They claim that such terms are open to interpretation, and would infringe on their freedom of expression.

Manga collector sentenced to six months in prison

15 Feb 10 | Index Index, minipost

Christopher Handley, 39-year-old office worker, was sentenced on 11 february to six months in prison for mailing obscene matter, and “possession of obscene visual representations of the sexual abuse of children.” Following this sentence, Handley must serve three years of supervised release and five years of probation. Handley was charged under the 2003 Protect Act, which outlaws cartoons, drawings, sculptures or paintings depicting minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct.