U.N. rapporteur on child prostitution and pornography Maud de Boer-Buquicchioe.
Image Credit Japan Times
Earlier today, U.N. rapporteur on child prostitution and pornography Dutch lawyer Maud de Boer-Buquicchioe held a press conference at the Japan National Press Club.
Boer-Buquicchioe addressed reporters, urging the country of Japan to ban manga with “extreme child pornographic content.” She explained that it’s important to find “the right balance” between artistic freedom and artistic freedom, noting that “I accept that the freedom of expression argument should outweigh, should prevail when it comes to adult pornography.”
She continued, explaining that “All these are obviously lucrative businesses […] What is worrying is that there is a trend which seems to be socially accepted and tolerated.” Boer-Buquicchioe said that she found it “exceptional” that sex offenders in Japan enjoy a “relatively high” level of impunity compared to other nations, due to Japan’s law enforcement officers’ hesitation to take action.
It’s these factors, according to Boer-Buquicchioe, which add to Japan’s “social and institutional tolerance” for crimes related to the sexual exploitation of children. To combat these systemic problems, Boer-Buquicchioe suggests banning manga titles that depict extreme sexual content, and instituting penalties for those who view child pornography.
Last year, Japan passed a bill which outlaws the possession of child pornography. The law didn’t ban such depictions in anime and manga, nor did it outlaw depictions of half-naked or erotically presented children. Numerous Japanese stores still offer DVDs and photographs with child erotica, both online and in brick & mortar locations.
Sources: Japan Times, Anime News Network, Esuteru
