Japan moves to outlaw child porn possession
Only member of G7 where possession of child pornography remains legal edges closer to ban but comics will be excluded on grounds of freedom of expression
Japan edged closer to banning the possession of child pornography on Wednesday, the last major developed country to do so, but paedophilia portrayed in the country’s popular manga comic books will be exempt.
Under Japan’s current legislation, only the production and distribution of child pornography are banned, a situation that campaigners say is damaging to children.
On Wednesday the lower-house Committee on Judicial Affairs was discussing a bill to expand the scope of the legislation, a parliamentary official said.
Jiji Press news agency said the committee was expected to decide during the day to submit the bill to the main chamber.
The legislation will likely be quickly passed and sent to the upper house before the current parliament session ends on June 22, the agency said.
A revised law would ban possession of photographs and videos depicting real children, but would exclude comics and “anime” video, following calls to protect freedom of expression, Jiji said.
Anyone found guilty of possessing the material could face imprisonment of up to one year, or fines of up to 1 million yen (HK$75,701), it said.