SAPPORO (Kyodo) A creator of adult manga is preparing to meet Tokyo Vice Gov. Naoki Inose to question him about the recent toughening of restrictions on the sale of comic books and animations containing "extreme" depictions of sexual acts.
Reiji Urashima, 46, of Tokyo, engaged in volunteer work last Friday to remove snow from the home of an elderly resident in Yubari, Hokkaido, satisfying a condition set by Inose for the interview. Urashima plans to stream the interview live on the Web.
A Tokyo ordinance on the sound growth of children and youths was amended in December to toughen the restrictions.
The publishing industry as well as animation and manga circles have protested, saying it infringes on freedom of expression.
The law calls on the industry to regulate itself to prevent people under 18 from accessing manga and "anime" containing depictions of rape and other objectionable activities.