First-ever arrest of Japanese national for making child porn abroad

Police made their first-ever arrest of a Japanese national for producing child pornography while overseas apprehending a 64-year-old man for taking nude photos of a 15-year-old girl while in the Philippines. According to those close to the investigation, the man was a frequent traveller abroad, having spent a total of at least 1,000 days in countries such as the Philippines since 2005. While the statute of limitations on child pornography cases is just three years, police made... Read More

Child porn group unmasked in southern Japan

Police have uncovered a group of seven child pornographers who are believed to have taken pornographic shots of young elementary school girls, and are currently in the final stages of sending evidence to prosecutors. During their investigation, authorities reportedly collected around 33 million images in relation to the men–the majority of which are child pornography. More than half the men arrested were found to have accessed websites for child pornography enthusiasts... Read More

Kyoto Prefecture to become the first to ban child pornography, while Japan's Ruling Party does nothing.

You read that right! Kyoto Prefecture announced plans to roll out a policy that will officially outlaw the possession and acquisition of child pornography, with plans to enact the regulations some time this year. Kyoto will be the first prefecture in the country to create and enforce such a regulation. Possession of child pornography is currently legal under Japanese law, as long as there is no intent of sale or distribution. Child prostitution and pornography laws currently... Read More

Prosecutors demand jurors pull the trigger in shooting trial

The master demonstrates how to properly fire an airsoft gun at a 'gun bar' in Roppongi, Tokyo. Most Japanese rarely come in contact with firearms, much less get the opportunity to shoot one. (Photo by Sarah Noorbakhsh) Monday saw the opening of a trial against ex-yakuza boss, Takashi Kajiwara, who was accused of attempted murder in the March 2009 shooting of an acquaintance. The defence asserted during the hearing that Kajiwara had lay a finger on the trigger and simply... Read More

Sumiyoshi-kai member caught in horse race scam

As a departure from baseball and sumo, a Sumiyoshi-kai higher up was arrested for fraud after he was discovered charging money for false tips about horse races. According to police, the 32-year-old yakuza posed as an agent with information about horse races last July, repeatedly scamming 29-year-old member by saying he had information only those on the inside knew. He received ¥250,000 by bank transfer from the member, telling the man he’d give him the info after the money... Read More

Middle school girl suspected of prostituting classmates

A JR West Hiroshima staff was arrested February 16 for paying ¥70,000 to a middle school girl for sexual favours in a karaoke box last July. The 48-year-old man told police that he had heard the girl was only 14-years-old, and that she was wearing a school uniform at the time. According to police, the girl was introduced to the man after a 15-year-old classmate contacted him off a deai-kei website. The third-year student has reportedly done the same with a number of classmates,... Read More

English Conversation (Eikaiwa) a con game? Engrish lessons from Yakuza 3

The critically acclaimed game, Yakuza 3 (龍が如く３) had a lot cut out of the American version. One of the more interesting scenarios scrubbed was the lead character, ex-yakuza boss, Kiryu’s experience learning English conversation (英会話/eikaiwa). It turns out to be a badger game/a set-up/a con and an attempt at extortion, that ends with Kiryu beating the crap out of the thugs running the so-called English Conversation school. I can imagine several reasons why... Read More

Fukuoka English teacher on trial for molesting 15 students

An American man has gone to trial after being accused of molesting 15 girls at the English conversation school he managed in Fukuoka. Alan Neil Lamph, 70, was arrested under rape, anti-child prostitution and pornography laws after it was discovered he took girls into his home between 2003 and 2009. He is suspected of violently molesting two girls, aged 11 and 12, and filming a group of 13 nine-year-old girls in the nude and performing sexual acts. The prosecution are demanding... Read More

無縁仏（Muenbotoke): Buddhas Without Connections

On the 8th and 15th of this month, in Japan and in parts of Asia, they celebrate Nirvana Day. It commemorates the death of the Buddha and his liberation from the cycle of death and rebirth; pain and suffering. In Japan, the Buddha or a Buddha is often referred to as hotoke (仏). Over time, the word itself has almost become a synonym for the deceased or the spirits of the dead. Buddha originally meant “one who is awake.” In Japan, to distinguish between the use of... Read More

JSRC Facebook page now up!

The Japan Subculture Research Center now finally has its own Facebook page. Give it a like to stay updated on what’s happening and to meet other JSRC readers! Japan Subculture Research Center on Facebook  Read More