Due to the current interpretation of Article 175 of the*Criminal Code of Japan, which forbids distributing "indecent" materials, it is believed that most pornography in Japan must be at least partially censored. The primary means is to put a*digital mosaic*over genitalia. There have, however, been very few arrests for violations of this law.[1]
The most recent trial based on this law, the first in 20 years, was the conviction of Suwa Yuuji in January 2004 for his*hentai*manga*Misshitsu. He was originally fined 500,000*yen*(about 4,900 USD) and avoided jail time by pleading guilty. When he appealed the case to the*Supreme Court of Japanon arguments that the manga was not as indecent and explicit as much material on the Internet and that Article 175 violated the*Japanese Constitution's*protection of*freedom of expression, the Court upheld the ruling and the fine was tripled to 1.5 million yen.[3]
After Yuuji's conviction, a number of bookstores and chains removed their adults-only section. Their motivation has been attributed to*chilling effect*of the outcome.[4]
In July 2013, three people were arrested for selling "obscene images" with "insufficient censoring."[5][6]They later plead guilty in December 2013.[