Japan to Ban Rape Themed PC Games

The TBS television network reports that Japan’s independent PC game review committee will prohibit the production and sale of all adult computer games prominently featuring depictions of rape. The revised review criteria to certify games for production and release will take effect on June 2. Rape themed games are estimated to presently constitute up to 20% of Japan’s adult PC games. The ban will apply to approximately 200 commercial game development studios.

The ban is being implemented primarily in response to a campaign by Equality Now launched last May to eliminate Japanese games that seemingly encourage victimization of women.

While this ban does not extend to erotic anime, its impact on the anime industry is uncertain. Numerous erotic anime are based on games which will be henceforth banned, so the adult anime industry may turn to alternate story concepts. Or rape themed productions may transition from development as PC games into development as anime.

Note: This article has a follow-up.

Source: Canned Dogs