Why is Japanese censorship so ...senseless?
I'm sure many people are also aggravated by this. You go to a hentai website, with a warning page that EXPLICITLY explains, usually in multiple languages, that it is adults only, and yet nearly every picture is censored. And not even real censorship, no! It's some translucent box, or thin slivers of black over seemingly random, yet somehow innappropriate places. Rarely does this ever change the nature of the pic or even hide anything at all that might be truly sexual. All it does is irritate responsible adults and defeat the whole purpose of pornography! Even in pay material! I have not seen any other country that does this, I know the U.S. is pretty all-or-nothing about censoring.
Is there any sort of rhyme or reason as to what they censor or how? I hear it has to do with some legal loophole but that still doesn't explain why it has to be censored at all.
Update:Oh, and I meant that they censor specific *parts* of the genitals. Not the whole thing, just the edges or odd details, such as the frenulum or clitoris, while the rest eremains uncovered.
Comments
Very good question!
Yes, Japanese censorship on pornography is ridiculously ambiguous. It is awfully embarrassing not because of the censorship but its ambiguity.
Strictly speaking according to the law, even pubic hair must not be seen. The reality for the past at least 5 years, however, is that showing pubic hair is “virtually” permitted as long as genital organs are not revealed. The rest is totally depending on the “discretion” of the publishers and the web-site owners.
I can fully understand your question (and your anger) as to this “ambiguous discretion,” which is really embarrassing even to the Japanese.
Ok, Japan does not have much laws in terms of censorship. Article 175 of the Criminal Code of Japan bans creating and distributing "indecent" material. There have been several interpretation of this law but today's interpretation basically requires partial censorship(At least). Like, you can put a bar or semi-transparent bar over the head of the penis or vagina and you will be in the legal clear. HOWEVER, arrest of violators are very rare. So rare in fact it is like the law does not exist. Japan does not have any branch of government who regulates media online, offline, or on TV/Radio. In Japan it is pure self-censorship.
You can show kiddie porn and other things that are illegal over here in the US, but for some reason, showing pubic hair in Japan can get you into some deep doodoo.
Why are you concerned about not being able to see the bristly structure on the hind wings of certain moths and butterflies that holds the forewings and hind wings together during flight?