Update on Beauty Hair Trial

The BBC News has reported that Shobunkan Publishing president Motonori Kishi has been found guilty of publishing and distributing obscene material in Japan, namely the “Misshitsu” adult manga by artist “Beauty Hair” (Suwa Yuuji). Suwa Yuuji and his publisher were first charged with violating Japan’s obscenity laws in October 2002. The guilty verdict is on appeal, but if it stands, it may deal a massive blow to Japan’s manga and animation industry, which accounts for nearly half of all published books and periodicals in Japan.

For more detail and background information on the trial, refer to this “Ask John” article and its reference links.