Tokyo Says “Sayonara” To Freedom Of Speech?1 min read
Reading Time: < 1 minuteLegislation was voted on today in Tokyo that some contend not only robs creators of their freedom of speech, but is unfair.
Famed manga artists vocally protested the bill, drawing attention to its vague definition of “virtual youth” and causing it to die on the vine.
Regarding the new bill, the Tokyo government explains (via The Mainichi Daily News), “only manga and animation that glorifies or exaggerates illegal sexual acts will be subject to the regulations, and freedom of expression will not be violated.” This new bill attempts to define what is obscene – vaguely.
According to Bleeding Cool, ten of the biggest Japanese comics publishers, including Kodansha, Shueisha, Shogakukan and Kadokawa have withdrawn from the Tokyo International Anime Fair (TAF), the biggest such convention in the world. attracting over 130,000 visitors.
