Wednesday 15th December, 03:17 PM JST
TOKYO —
The Tokyo metropolitan assembly on Wednesday enacted an ordinance to toughen regulations on the sale of ‘‘manga’’ comic books and anime containing ‘‘extreme’’ depictions of sexual acts, despite claims from writers and publishers that it could breach freedom of expression and stifle creativity.
The ordinance calls on the industry to impose self-regulation to prevent those under 18 from purchasing or accessing comics and anime containing depictions of rape and other sex crimes and those ‘‘unduly lauding or exaggerating’’ incest.
Comics that the metropolitan government determines as particularly malicious will be designated under the ordinance as ‘‘unhealthy books’’ and publishers will be banned from selling them to young people.
But the metropolitan government also added a clause stating it will give consideration to artistic and social expression and apply the ordinance carefully, although the clause is not legally binding.
The requirement for self-regulation and restrictions on sales will take effect on April 1 and July 1 next year, respectively.
In an assembly plenary session Wednesday, the ordinance gained approval from members of the Democratic Party of Japan, the Liberal Democratic Party and the New Komeito party.
The move has prompted a strong reaction from publishers, who have threatened to withdraw their participation in the Tokyo International Anime Fair 2011, sponsored by the Tokyo government.
Last Friday, a group of 10 major publishers including Kodansha Ltd, Shueisha Inc and Kadokawa Group Publishing Co issued a statement saying they will refuse to take part in the internationally popular event, to be held next March.
Prime Minister Naoto Kan posted comments Monday on his official blog saying that the upbringing of young people and promoting Japanese manga and anime globally are both important.
‘‘I want people concerned to make efforts to avoid a situation in which the International Anime Fair will be canceled,’’ the premier said on his Kan-Full Blog he started in November.
The assembly first submitted a bill of similar content in March but the measure was voted down in June due to opposition from publishers as well as criticism by the assembly’s largest caucus—the DPJ—that the scope of the regulations was vague.
The initial bill stated that comics and anime depicting sexual intercourse by characters apparently under the age of 18 would hamper the healthy development of children and must be controlled.
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