Anime News

New Legislation Could Regulate Violent Manga
Date: 12/20/2005
On December 19th, Japan's Liberal Democratic Party has taken the first steps toward the enactment of a bill that would regulate violent manga published in the country. The legislation move was made public as part of the emergency task force's "Hanzai kara kodomo wo mamoru" (Children Are Defended From Crime) initiative. According language used by the LDP, the goal is the promotion and maintenance of a healthy environment for young people. This comes against a recent backdrop of increased crime against women and children. They claim a link in many of these criminal acts exists between kiddie porn, violent comics and even games. The LDP feels it necessary to reform the current state. Some prefectures and cities have already been restricting such kiddie porn etc. by creating and enforcing ordinances. An attempt will be made to draft and pass the "Seishounen Kenzen Ikusei Suishin Kihonhou" (Fundamental Law Of Youth Health). Some anti-violence manga related items are expected to end up in a final bill that will then go before the diet. Currently, the LDP is trying to rouse public opinion on the matter.
Source: Anime News Service