TOKYO — A Japanese software business organization has agreed to ban computer games containing sexual violence against women.
According to new service AFP, the software regulator made the decision based on controversy surrounding the video game called "RapeLay."
In RapeLay, players stalk and then rape young girls for points, with various scenarios that range from attacks on commuter trains to forced abortions. Some gaming site reviewers have attacked the game as reprehensible.
As previously reported by AVN.com, Amazon removed the game from its retail website, while the manufacturer, Yokohma-based Illusion, claimed it wasn't marketed for the U.S. and followed Japanese game laws, so it didn't understand the uproar.
But now, Japan's Ethics Organization of Computer Software has said it will ban any game that "deviates extremely from social norms" and all "sexual torture software."
The organization will also draw up guidelines regarding acceptable and unacceptable content in the marketplace and said it already screens nearly all adult-content computer games made in Japan, adding that about 90 percent of such products carry its rating stickers.
The ban is not a legal one and comes from within the Japanese industry as self-regulation, though most believe game-makers in Japan will adhere to the new restrictions. Game site Kotaku reports game maker Syrup Soft is delaying release of its upcoming game "Gang Raped by the Entire Village -- Girls Covered in Milky Liquid" to re-title it and likely make other adjustments to what still sounds like a severely sexually violent game.
While Japan enacted a law in 1999 banning the production, distribution and commercial use of sexually arousing photos, videos and other materials involving minors, the bill did not criminalize possession nor did it cover child porn in animation or computer graphics hentai.
The country has been under international pressure to tighten up laws regarding child porn and misogynistic content.
