Justice Minister Proposes Greater Crackdown On Child Pornography

[Mulboyne]

The Nikkan Sports reports (Japanese) that Justice Minister Hatoyama has raised the possibility of making possession of child pornography a criminal offence. Currently it is illegal to sell or distribute such material but possession is not explicitly forbidden. Hatoyama believes this loophole has helped increase what he calls an "abominable market" and hopes to see it closed. The report mentions that Prime Minister Fukuda has also expressed concern about the matter.

[bolt_krank]

Good on him. Finally a law with considering.

[alienchu]

It's about fricking time, with all of Japans advancements I find it difficult to understand why their civil/criminal laws are so screwed up.

[alicia454]

Yes, it is about time. I hope that hentai lolicon & shotacon pornographic materials are also included in the crackdown since these sexual objectify children in the same way the "traditional" child pornography does.

The police should start by getting rid of the countless hentai lolicon & shotacon material in Akihabara with a few high profile arrests of shopkeepers, publishers, and distributors. Not to mention the cracking down against those writers of Dojinshi which include such materials, even at at the Comiket (comic market).

[dimwit]

Yes all is well and good but I bet it will cost the LDP support amongst Otakus.

[Jack]

Yes, it is about time. The police should start by getting rid of the countless hentai lolicon & shotacon material in Akihabara with a few high profile arrests of shopkeepers, publishers, and distributors. Not to mention the cracking down against those writers of Dojinshi which include such materials, even at at the Comiket (comic market).

Hentai is how some Japanese media circumnavigate the law. Remember the film Kill Bill? There was a sex scene with an 11 year old and the director got away with it because they used animation for that scene. I "think" that's why it was animation.

[FG Lurker]

It's about fricking time, with all of Japans advancements I find it difficult to understand why their civil/criminal laws are so screwed up.

They're too busy tracking down all the gaijin terrorists.

[American Oyaji]

Hentai is how some Japanese media circumnavigate the law. Remember the film Kill Bill? There was a sex scene with an 11 year old and the director got away with it because they used animation for that scene. I "think" that's why it was animation.

I don't think O-Ren was 11 in that scene. She was 11 when her parents were killed.

I think she was 16 at the time of the scene where she killed the yakuza boss.

[hundefar]

Yes, it is about time. I hope that hentai lolicon & shotacon pornographic materials are also included in the crackdown since these sexual objectify children in the same way the "traditional" child pornography does.

The police should start by getting rid of the countless hentai lolicon & shotacon material in Akihabara with a few high profile arrests of shopkeepers, publishers, and distributors. Not to mention the cracking down against those writers of Dojinshi which include such materials, even at at the Comiket (comic market).

You want to punish people for DRAWING something? Are you serious? What next? Book burning? Cleaning out the art museums? What about those ancient greeks and their gay-pedo art. Lets smash it! Get your pitchforks! To the museum!!

[Greji]

There was a sex scene with an 11 year old and the director got away with it because they used animation for that scene.

Ahh, we can't do 11 year old's anymore?
In Japan, that used to be just a 15 yard penalty.

[American Oyaji]

Hentai is how some Japanese media circumnavigate the law. Remember the film Kill Bill? There was a sex scene with an 11 year old and the director got away with it because they used animation for that scene. I "think" that's why it was animation.

Just checked the scene.

You're right about the age. She was 11.
But the guy was still wearing his fundoshi, so it wasn't a sex scene. She was just sitting astride him right before she killed him though.

But yeah, an 11 year old stting on top of a half naked man, telling him in a sexy voice to look at her while she killed him slowly probably wouldn't go over well if it was filmed.

[DrP]

Jeez, now there will be nothing to watch on the ho-tel teli except for ski jumping! Arrghhh , I used to look foward to collapsing into the too-short bed whilst taking in a few moments of 'rape the school girl' <yet again>.

[Mulboyne]

Yomiuri: Ban eyed on possession of child porn

The ruling coalition of the Liberal Democratic Party and New Komeito likely will revise the law against child prostitution and child pornography to ban individual possession of child pornography, sources close to the coalition said Saturday. A bill codifying the revision will be submitted by lawmakers during the current session of the Diet, according to the sources. The move was decided due to international criticism of Japan over its failure to respond to increasing number of pornography cases victimizing children via the Internet, the sources said. U.S. Ambassador to Japan Thomas Schieffer is expected to visit Justice Minister Kunio Hatoyama as early as Tuesday to request that the Japanese government ban individual possession of child pornography.

According to the Justice Ministry, of the Group of Eight major industrialized countries, only Japan and Russia do not explicitly ban individual possession of child pornography. Transmission of child pornography originating from Japan via the Internet has been criticized. In response to the situation regarding the issue at home and abroad, the LDP set up a subcommittee to review the law under the party's Judicial Affairs Division. At the subcommittee's first meeting on Friday, led by former Justice Minister Mayumi Moriyama, members decided to discuss banning individual possession and stipulating punishment for violators. New Komeito also established a task force within the party in December to discuss a revision.

The law prohibiting the purchase of sex from those aged 17 or younger, sales of child pornography and posting of such images or material on the Internet was enacted in 1999 with the sponsorship of a cross-party group of lawmakers. The LDP and New Komeito aim this time as well to obtain suprapartisan support for a bill to revise the law. Prior to the 1999 law's introduction, there had been discussion of a prohibition on individual possession without punishment of child pornography. However, due to strong opposition over concerns that privacy rights would be invaded, such a clause was not introduced.

In 2004, when the law was revised to regulate production and possession of child pornography for the purpose of distribution, opposition parties objected to the banning of individual possession, and again, it was not adopted. In 1999, 25 child pornography cases were prosecuted. However, the number has increased, with charges laid in 214 and 585 cases in 2003 and 2006, respectively.

[Greji]

Yomiuri: Ban eyed on possession of child porn

Take, you better dump all your shit quick! They'll be pounding on your door in a couple of days!

[Mulboyne]

UNICEF Stop Child Pornography Campaign (Japanese).

Reuters: UNICEF says Japan failing to control child porn

Japan has failed to bring child pornography under control, leaving children around the world at risk, UNICEF said on Tuesday as it launched a campaign to stamp out exploitation of minors. Japan's government is inching towards a ban on the possession of obscene images of children, which would bring it into line with most other industrialised countries. But the Japan branch of the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) urged Tokyo to beef up its laws by banning child pornography in manga comics, animated films and computer games as well as individual possession. "Japan, a major player in information technology, is left uncontrolled, meaning children both here and around the world are suffering sexual exploitation for the sake of child porn," UNICEF said in a statement...more...

[aquamarine]

Good for them. About time they start doing something. Of course, similar funding could be using in ousting those illegal immigrant fucks that happen to be from a country that rhymes with Syberia (no, not Algeria) in Shinjuku.

Never wanted to buy a gun so much in my life.

"You mon... you be comin into da clabu.... you be enjoyin yo-self. Oh else you be dead mon...."
(that's my best Nigerian accent)

Three death-threats in a 1/2 block radius. What a fuckin mess.

[Greji]

"You mon... you be comin into da clabu.... you be enjoyin yo-self. Oh else you be dead mon...."

I wonder if he was a friend of a friend of the Justice minister?

[Iraira]

Good for them. About time they start doing something. Of course, similar funding could be using in ousting those illegal immigrant fucks that happen to be from a country that rhymes with Syberia (no, not Algeria) in Shinjuku.

Never wanted to buy a gun so much in my life.

"You mon... you be comin into da clabu.... you be enjoyin yo-self. Oh else you be dead mon...."
(that's my best Nigerian accent)

Three death-threats in a 1/2 block radius. What a fuckin mess.

When they used to accost me, I would always ask the "Syberians" if they had chicks at the club who were quadruple amputees, as that what I am into. They'd always say "No" and start to flee and I'd scream at them, "No, I want to go to your club, look I brought my own scissors! Let's make some memories!"

They leave me alone now.

[Takechanpoo]

[Takechanpoo]

And I know not a few of you gajijn dudes will worry if child porns are really sweeped out from J-market. Because child porns or sex with child-looking girls is one of main reasons which you dudes originally came to Japan for.

[Iraira]

And I know not a few of you gajijn dudes will worry if child porns are really sweeped out from J-market. Because child porns or sex with child-looking girls is one of main reasons which you dudes originally came to Japan for.

I came here to find some wrinkled old prune woman to support me, by the way Take, your mom says "Hi".

[Greji]

And I know not a few of you gajijn dudes will worry if child porns are really sweeped out from J-market. Because child porns or sex with child-looking girls is one of main reasons which you dudes originally came to Japan for.

And all we found was fat otakus wearing fundoshi....

[ttjereth]

And I know not a few of you gajijn dudes will worry if child porns are really sweeped out from J-market. Because child porns or sex with child-looking girls is one of main reasons which you dudes originally came to Japan for.

I came here in order to be able to make more than US$40,000 a year 3 months out of university.

[kusai Jijii]

Good for them. About time they start doing something. Of course, similar funding could be using in ousting those illegal immigrant fucks that happen to be from a country that rhymes with Syberia (no, not Algeria) in Shinjuku.

Never wanted to buy a gun so much in my life.

"You mon... you be comin into da clabu.... you be enjoyin yo-self. Oh else you be dead mon...."
(that's my best Nigerian accent)

Three death-threats in a 1/2 block radius. What a fuckin mess.

Nothing a short, sturt, staunch "FUCK OFF CUNT!" wont fix. Works for me everytime. Grow some bollocks Aquafairy

[Greji]

Nothing a short, sturt, staunch "FUCK OFF CUNT!" wont fix. Works for me everytime. Grow some bollocks Aquafairy

"I'm doing undercover work for immigrations!" is an attention getter!

[Takechanpoo]

I came here to find some wrinkled old prune woman to support me, by the way Take, your mom says "Hi".

Shut up, moron.
She producted me when she was late 30's. Now she is late 60's. Already rotten.

[Mulboyne]

Yomiuri: Government plans blocking of child porn sites

The ruling parties will introduce legislation for Internet service providers to block access to child pornography sites with major providers in favor of the move, sources said. A project team of Liberal Democratic Party and New Komeito members will draw up a bill to revise the law prohibiting child pornography after the Golden Week holiday period. It will aim to have the bill passed by the Diet in the current session, the sources said. If such a revision passes the Diet, it will be the first measure involving the legal blocking of specific Web sites, albeit in the form of a nonbinding guideline.

Under the blocking system, Internet service providers would use special software to block access to Web sites included on a police list of child porn sites, including sites using overseas servers. Britain, Italy, Sweden and other countries have already implemented such a system, and it is claimed the approach has been effective in limiting child porn on the Web. Under the current law, the sale and transfer of child pornography is a punishable offense, but downloading child porn images from Web sites to PCs or cell phones is not a punishable offense. Organizations commissioned by the National Police Agency have asked site operators to remove such content from the Web, but because their requests are nonbinding, they are often ignored. This is a major factor explaining why Japan has not been able to limit child porn on the Web, according to the sources.

The project team has decided that anyone possessing child porn should be punished. But it is far beyond the scope of the police to search every single person who might possess child pornography. Also, punishment for possession is unlikely to deter people from looking at child porn on the Internet. Taking these factors into account, the team concluded it was necessary to establish a system by which people could not access the sites in the first place, the sources said. However, as the proposed guideline to block child porn sites will be nonbinding, Internet service providers will not be punished if they do not comply with it.

Still, major service providers are in favor of the plan, according to the sources. The project team was scheduled to hear the opinions of two major service providers and start discussing details of the approach used to block the sites. Blocked Web sites will be limited to child porn sites to ensure that the guideline does not violate the freedom of expression, the sources said. While Western nations make it clear that looking at child porn is illegal, Japan has left it unchecked, drawing international criticism for its lack of measures to prevent child pornography. The problem of Internet child porn is that once an image is posted, it can be copied and pasted repeatedly. Blocking will be help break this vicious chain, according to the sources.

[Greji]

Shut up, moron.
She producted me when she was late 30's. Now she is late 60's. Already rotten.

According to your Girl Friend Take, any J-woman crouch turns rotten at 30 or 40....

[Mulboyne]

Yomiuri: ISPs halt services offering pics of young girls

Four major domestic Internet service providers have decided to stop providing fee-based services that allow customers to access Web sites featuring photographs of very young Japanese girls dressed in swimsuits and adopting sexually provocative poses, it has been learned. Initially, the ISPs were reluctant to halt their services, insisting the photographs did not constitute child pornography under current laws. However, under mounting criticism that they were commercializing the sexualization of children, one pulled its service Monday, with two others following suit Tuesday. The other has said it intends to withdraw its service in the near future. Experts have lamented the nation's tardy approach in dealing with child pornography, with one saying photographs similar to those on the Web sites are considered illegal in some countries. The firms that have decided to end the controversial services are @nifty, OCN, Biglobe and So-net, which are managed by subsidiaries of Fujitsu Ltd., NTT Communications, NEC Corp. and Sony Corp., respectively.

The photos are carried in special membership corners bearing names such as imoto (younger sister) and sho-chugakusei gentei (primary and middle school students only). For about 3,000 yen a month, users can access many different photographs taken by production companies. To attract potential customers, nonmembers can view a few photos of each girl for free. Although the girls are not naked, their scanty clothing--often bikinis--and the poses they adopt are clearly sexual in nature. In one photo, a girl who is introduced as 10 years old is shown on a bed changing into a bikini, while in another, a "7-year-old" girl jumps over a vaulting horse wearing school swimwear. The ISPs first introduced their portal services in 2003. According to the Japan Committee for UNICEF, which wants child pornography regulations tightened, DVDs and photo books featuring so-called junior idols first attracted attention in about 2000, since when their content had become increasingly risque. The specific wording of the Child Prostitution Law and the law banning the public display of pornographic images of children are thought to lie behind the current problem. These laws define child pornography as "the stimulation of sexual desire via the depiction of a naked or partially clothed child." A member of the committee said: "Under this definition, the images in question featuring children in swimsuits are not considered illegal."

Last October, the Metropolitan Police Department arrested three men over the production of DVDs featuring a girl in a bikini on suspicion of violating the law banning the public display of pornographic images of children. However, although this particular charge was dropped, the men were later found guilty of violating the Child Welfare Law. "Even if these photos aren't illegal per se, judging from the girls' clothing and unnatural poses it's clear these services are targeting pedophiles. These photos could affect the girls' future employment and marriage prospects," a committee member said. "It's unbelievable that supposedly socially responsible major ISPs offer such services." According to Junko Miyamoto, corepresentative of the ECPAT/Stop Kodomo Baishun no Kai -- a Japanese group affiliated with the international nongovernmental organization End Child Prostitution, Child Pornography and Trafficking in Children for Sexual Purposes -- Germany prohibits the distribution of photos and videos featuring children in a sexual context.

[Mulboyne]

Yomiuri: Total ban on child porn sought / Diet debate starts on revision to close possession loophole in law

The Diet has begun debate on bills to revise the law banning child prostitution and child pornography, with discussions focused on whether to conform to international standards and completely prohibit the possession of child pornography. Both the ruling coalition and the main opposition Democratic Party of Japan submitted bills to the Diet to revise the law. There have been increasing calls to change it as other countries have strengthened their regulations to deal with a modern world in which pornographic images of children can be transmitted across national borders in seconds. Agnes Chan, ambassador of the Japan Committee for UNICEF, spoke Friday of the need to ban child pornography at a session of the House of Representatives Judicial Affairs Committee. "Foreign countries also expect results from this committee's deliberations," said Chan, speaking as an unsworn witness. "There is a Japanese girl who searches the Internet every day to check whether photos taken secretly of her while she was bathing as a primary school student are posted on the Internet. Victims like this girl need your help." Chan spoke of how deeply victims of child pornography would suffer because it is impossible to fully retrieve images once they have been posted on the Internet. Her call for stricter controls brought loud applause from committee members.

The current law bans the production and sale of child pornography, as well as possession for the purpose of providing it to others. However, it does not forbid possession of child pornography for personal use, thereby making it impossible to stem the spread and distribution of such images. The Liberal Democratic Party and its junior coalition partner New Komeito have been considering a complete ban on the possession of child pornography since the law was enacted a decade ago. Their bill seeks to outlaw "possession of child pornography for the purpose of satisfying sexual curiosity." "Given the spread of Internet services and the great amount of child pornography that is already in existence, the only option is to [completely] ban possession of pornographic images of children to prevent them from being distributed," LDP member Yasuhiro Hanashi said to the committee Friday. The DPJ opposes the LDP bill, which it claims would abruptly widen the scope of people subject to punishment.

DPJ member Yukio Edano expressed concern about the possible abuse of investigative authority, saying "[The LDP bill] could lead to someone being prosecuted even if he or she was unknowingly in possession of an illegal photo." Punitive measures should be limited to those who obtain child pornography repeatedly or for profit, the DPJ argues. The DPJ's bill aims to change the definition of child pornography to mean depictions of sexual acts involving children and the exposure of children's sexual organs. It would also change the name of the law. One ruling coalition lawmaker criticized the DPJ's proposed definition, citing the case of a young girl who was photographed from behind. "These images can be regulated under the current law, but they would not be prohibited under the DPJ's revision bill because her sexual organs are not visible," the lawmaker said. However, committee members agreed on the critical nature of the rampant spread of child pornography, transcending their party affiliations and concurring on the need for tougher regulations. Edano and fellow DPJ lawmaker Yoko Komiyama also spoke in favor of completely outlawing possession of child pornography. An official of a nongovernmental organization who observed the committee session Friday expressed hope that the law would be revised during the current Diet session, to address the growing number of victims of child pornography.

===

Completely outlawing the possession of child pornography has already become an international trend. Countries that are worried, as Japan is, about the spread of child pornography through the Internet believe that to stem the victimization of children they must cut off the demand for child pornography by banning its possession, and they have taken legislative steps to do so. Justice and internal affairs ministers from the Group of Eight major nations issued a declaration calling for tougher measures against child pornography at a meeting in May, as they also did at a 2007 meeting, urging countries that fall behind in making legislative arrangements, including Japan and Russia, to accelerate their efforts. With the world linked as it is by the Internet, it is difficult to prevent the spread of child pornography if any country allows its possession. The third World Congress against Sexual Exploitation of Children and Adolescents, held in Brazil in November, recommended cartoons and virtual images in personal computer games be included among child pornography to be regulated. The production, sale, possession and viewing of such items should be outlawed, the congress urged.

Virtual pornographic images are not regulated in Japan as they are in countries like France, Canada and Germany. The United States does not officially define such images as child pornography, but effectively subjects them to punitive measures. It has become clear recently there will be an uproar if Japan delays its efforts to establish legal restrictions of child pornography. Japan faced international criticism after it was discovered that a Japanese computer game in which players rape women and girls, make them pregnant and then force them to get abortions had been sold even in foreign countries through the Internet. As a result, a domestic association of adult game makers decided in May to voluntarily ban not only the rape game that came under criticism but all games featuring sexual abuse. The move was in response to criticism from the ruling parties and the general public, but industry sources expressed concern over how a domestic issue could easily become an international one in a world connected by the Internet. Japan can no longer have lenient regulations on child pornography.