2010 December 8 - 14 [
CIVIL RIGHTS]
Major publishers to boycott Tokyo anime fair to object restrictions on expression
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December 11, 2010
Ten major Japanese publishers have announced that they will boycott the Tokyo International Anime Fair 2011 in protest against the metropolitan government’s attempt to further restrict sexual content in manga comics and animation.
A statement they published on December 10 pointed out that specific targets for the restriction remain ambiguous and may further expand under a bill to amend the Youth Healthy Development Ordinance submitted to the metropolitan assembly.
It criticized Tokyo Governor Ishihara Shintaro for repeatedly making insulting and ignorant remarks about manga comics and manga artists.
In response to Akahata’s inquiry, Kodansha Director Shimizu Yasumasa said that an event advertizing animation as part of “Japan’s great culture” should not take place when manga artists are ignorantly treated. “We want to represent the voices of many artists who feel indignant at the proposed amendment,” he said.
The ten publishers include Kodansha, Kadokawa Group Publishing, and Shueisha.
The Tokyo International Anime Fair 2011, whose organizing committee is chaired by Governor Ishihara, will be held in March.
- Akahata, December 11, 2010
