Tokyo Passes Censorship Law

According to Japan Times, Japanamerica, and Anime News Network have reported that the Tokyo Metropolitan Government passed an ordinance in the regulation of material not suitable for people under the age of 18.  What is most troubling about this law is the restricting and censoring  mature material in Anime and Manga, but not re-life adult erotica.  Many major publishers, such as Shogakukan, Kodansha, and Kadokawa Shoten have decided not to attend Tokyo International Anime Fair 2011.  

I have personally been a strong supporter of TAF since 2006, but in the light of recent events I have to join my fellow professionals in not attending TAF in protest of the censorship law.  Until the Tokyo Metropolitan Government reverses the ordinance  many foreign artists and publishers might consider taking their business in other cities in Japan, such as Yokohama or Osaka.


For many people in the animation and comic industries this serves as a wake up call that government interfering in the affairs of artists will have serious repercussions.  TAF and maybe Comiket are the victims of such acts.  Hopefully cooler heads will prevail and the ordinance will be reversed.  If not, expect an empty Big Site when TAF 2011 rolls around.