Two interesting pieces here. First comes Japan Today, talking about “the dark side” of Akihabara-- specifically, junior idols, the teen and pre-teen models who hope to move their way up to the big leagues via bikinis and ice cream cone-licking.
“Insofar as the models do not expose their breasts or genitals, this is not against the law. But the way scantily clad kids blow on flutes and lick ice cream cones in front of the camera has raised eyebrows at home and abroad,” the article states. “'This is a gray area in Japan, but the residents of Akihabara and I find it reprehensible,' says Takaya Kobayashi, 54, a Chiyoda Ward councilman.”
But junior idols have their defenders.
“Looking at junior idols soothes me,” explains Shigure Akagi, 45, an artist who says he draws inspiration from these products. “I do not have children of my own, so seeing them makes me happy.”
He isn’t the only one. Mr, the most eccentric member of Takashi Murakami’s stable of pop artists, admits he suffers from lolicon, and recruited junior idols to star in his 2008 film, “Nobody Dies.”
Meanwhile, Sankaku Complex reports that according to a recent survey, 98.4% of Japan thought that “a ban on 'simple possession' of pornography feauring underage participants” isn't necessary, because such a ban would be “excessive.”
Now, bear in mind-- this was an online survey, and honestly, given that it seems to include real live child pornography as well as cartoon lolicon, I'm guessing 2ch and other websites got their hands on it. Still, those are really impressive numbers.
Now, this is an odd case for me in that I'm actually in favor of a ban on possession of real live child pornography, in theory. The more people are scared to own it, the less they'll buy it, the less motivation people have to make it. My stance on lolicon drawings and the like, of course, is that as no one is harmed in its creation, it should be as freely traded as any other pornography.
What do you guys think?
Drawn though? that's just artistic expression. Sure we can debate about whether or not something like Koi Kaze is really art or if something like Kodomo no Jikan is teetering toward the questionable side, but that's beside the point. The point is it's fake. It's part of someone's expression no matter how perverse their expression is intentionally trying to be, and it didn't involve harming anyone. I mean, has no one in Japan heard where the term Lolita came from?
That said, not that many Americans have that good an understanding of etymology either =P
I think possession of child pornography should be outlawed, but I think the wording of such laws should leave some wiggle room for, say, people who get a hold of child pornography and immediately report it to the police. I mean, it would be bad if people feel like they might get arrested for merely carrying it to the police station since it would keep people from reporting this crime.