An Internet-based child porn ring has escaped prosecution on a server technicality. According to reports, the case against an online company that was allegedly run by Cyber Data President Yuji Matsui – and which reportedly earned more than 300 yen in profits from selling child porn – will not be pursued because the company’s website is hosted by a U.S.-based server.
Matsui, 38, was arrested in February by Kanawaga and Nara prefectural officers on suspicion of mailing pornographic videotapes of children participating in sexual activities to customers solicited over the Internet.
A story posted on the Daily Yomirui site reported that the company earned 198 million yen through sales from the tapes, and an additional 310 million yen over 14 months through February from sales generated by its website, which featured pics of Japanese girls of middle-to-high-school ages. Once employees were arrested, however, the pics were removed from the site.
Though authorities considered working with U.S. authorities, any such collaboration was subsequently scrapped.
Matsui, who did not escape action, is currently standing trial at the Yokahama District Court.
The story did not give the URL for the website.
