Sharni
01-21-2004, 12:03 AM
TOKYO (Reuters) - Tokyo's used panty sellers are among the targets of a raft of new regulations to be considered by city lawmakers in an effort to protect minors from the Japanese capital's thriving sex industry.
Finding a way of preventing the lucrative trade in young girls' underwear, which media say can command 10,000 yen ($94) a pair at sex shops, is among recommendations in a report presented to the city on Monday by an advisory body on youth issues.
Operators of sidewalk vending machines that dispense pornography are also likely to be asked to ensure that sales are not made to minors by requiring that all machines accept a drivers' license as proof of age.
Publishers, as well, may be asked to comply voluntarily with a proposal that they wrap sexually explicit magazines to prevent children from browsing through them at book shops.
The proposals also call for a ban on children under 18 entering Internet cafes and karaoke centers between 11 p.m. and 4 a.m., to be enforced with a fine on business owners of up to 300,000 yen ($2,800).
"The aim of these proposals is to create a zoning system to keep the world of adults separate from that of children," said Tatsuo Mizuno, a Tokyo government official.
"It is the responsibility of adults to do this."
Concern about the sexual exploitation of minors, often in exchange for cash or gifts, has grown in Japan in recent years, with many offenders using Internet dating sites to contact children.
Finding a way of preventing the lucrative trade in young girls' underwear, which media say can command 10,000 yen ($94) a pair at sex shops, is among recommendations in a report presented to the city on Monday by an advisory body on youth issues.
Operators of sidewalk vending machines that dispense pornography are also likely to be asked to ensure that sales are not made to minors by requiring that all machines accept a drivers' license as proof of age.
Publishers, as well, may be asked to comply voluntarily with a proposal that they wrap sexually explicit magazines to prevent children from browsing through them at book shops.
The proposals also call for a ban on children under 18 entering Internet cafes and karaoke centers between 11 p.m. and 4 a.m., to be enforced with a fine on business owners of up to 300,000 yen ($2,800).
"The aim of these proposals is to create a zoning system to keep the world of adults separate from that of children," said Tatsuo Mizuno, a Tokyo government official.
"It is the responsibility of adults to do this."
Concern about the sexual exploitation of minors, often in exchange for cash or gifts, has grown in Japan in recent years, with many offenders using Internet dating sites to contact children.