City in Osaka clamps down on convenience store adult magazines

Something that shocks some visitors to Japan is the volume of porn, soft-core porn or other adult magazines lining the shelves of convenience stores. It is placed in a certain section marked as “adult” but not on a top shelf like in other countries. And the covers make it very clear what is inside, awaiting the horny reader.

There has been talk about “cleaning this up” as we get closer to the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo, but no concrete developments.

Until now. In what may be the first salvo against the freedom for pornographers to push their wares in open, a local mayor has taken the initiative to restrict the display of adult merchandise in public.

Though it’s not Tokyo yet, a city in Osaka Prefecture has made moves to clamp down on convenience store porn. The mayor of Sakai City has entered an agreement with convenience store chain Family Mart to “disguise” porn magazines on the racks with a plastic cover.

The covers explain that the magazine is being covered up by a Sakai City “safety” program “in order to build a safe community free of violence towards women and children”. The message reads that the magazines on the shelf are only for those aged 18 or older. Another warning is also placed in front of the section of the rack itself.

The stores also display a proud sticker near the entrance: “We won’t show harmful publications to children. This store is kind to women and children. Working towards a city free of violence against women and children. Sakai Safety Program”.

While there are only 10 outlets of Family Mart taking part in the pilot scheme, could this be a slippery slope towards nationwide adoption of this kind of censorship? Might we find Tokyo stores soon no longer allowing us to browse our reading material of choice without first having to remove a filter?