Japanese pornography, a significant industry globally, is notably characterized by mosaic censorship, blurring genitalia. This distinctive feature often surprises viewers accustomed to Western pornography. Why does Japan, a country with a massive appetite for adult content, enforce such restrictions on its pornographic films?
The roots of this censorship trace back to the Meiji Era, a period of rapid modernization in Japan. Influenced by Victorian morals from the West, the government introduced laws banning materials deemed “injurious to public morals.” This initial restriction laid the groundwork for future censorship regulations. Following Japan’s defeat in World War II, the American occupation forces implemented reforms to ensure freedom of speech. However, surprisingly, the existing laws concerning pornography remained untouched, persisting to this day.
Over the decades after World War II, Western societies gradually embraced uncensored pornography as a form of free expression. In contrast, Japan maintained its stance, continuing to classify explicit sexual depictions as “injurious to public morals.” This differing perspective meant that legally purchasing hardcore pornography with fully visible genitalia remained impossible in Japan.
However, the interpretation of “injurious to public morals” has shown some flexibility over time. Previously, even pubic hair was subject to censorship. Now, this is no longer the case, indicating a gradual relaxation of standards. A notable example of this shift is the uncensored screening of the American film “Kinsey” in Japanese theaters. The movie, featuring a scene with explicit images of genitalia in an educational context, marked a historic moment as the first instance of such content being permitted by Japanese censors.
Does this evolution signal the imminent arrival of uncensored pornography in Japan? Probably not in the realm of mainstream adult entertainment. The acceptance of genitalia in a serious educational film is distinctly different from allowing it in purely pornographic content. As it stands, most consumers of pornography within Japan are legally barred from purchasing uncensored material.
Uncensored Japanese pornography does exist, but its availability stems from specific circumstances. Firstly, some uncensored content is produced specifically for export to international markets. Secondly, a portion of uncensored material is created illegally, bypassing censorship regulations. Furthermore, a niche market exists for technology attempting to circumvent censorship. Devices like “demosaic machines” are designed to remove mosaic blurring from videos. These machines use various settings and a joystick to target and process censored areas. Despite the somewhat cumbersome process, as described by a Japanese user who noted the difficulty of multitasking between the device and “whacking,” these machines are sought after. However, a more practical approach for those seeking uncensored Japanese porn is the internet. Websites hosted outside of Japan offer downloadable uncensored films originally made for export.
For many Western viewers, particularly Americans accustomed to explicit hardcore pornography, the censorship in Japanese porn can be a significant deterrent. The inability to see genitalia can render the content unappealing for those expecting explicit penetration shots. This is unfortunate, as many argue that Japanese pornography often surpasses American adult videos in quality and creativity. Instead of solely focusing on penetration, Japanese pornography frequently employs diverse directing styles and narrative elements to create engaging sex scenes. It’s been suggested that censorship may have inadvertently fostered this innovation. Without censorship, Japanese directors might adopt the more formulaic approach seen in some American pornography, which heavily relies on close-ups of penetration. Thus, Japan’s unique and inventive pornographic landscape might be, in part, a creative response to the constraints of censorship.
Source: http://www.japanprobe.com/2006/01/31/why-i…-porn-censored/
