It's finally official: producing or selling child porn in Japan is illegal.
Japan's Lower House of Parliament voted legislation into law on May 18 that bans the production, sale, distribution, possession and trading of child pornography. When the law goes into effect this fall, anyone found to be in violation will find themselves facing up to three years in prison and fines of up to $24,400.
The law will also make it illegal to have sex with anyone 17 years old or younger. This represents a change in the existing law that only bans sex-for-money with individuals 13 years old or younger. People found guilty of breaking the new law would face prison terms of up to three years and fines up to $8,100.
Japan's strong position against child pornography comes in response to increasing international pressure. They have been criticized for their lack of action against sex tourism as well as child porn on the Internet; allowing the criminal activity to continue, unabated, both in Japan and around the world.
