Nissan Seminar: Censorship in Japan

Convener(s): Professor Roger Goodman, Professor Takehiko Kariya, and Dr. Natalia Doan

Speaker(s): Dr. Heung-Wah (Dixon) Wong, Associate Professor of Global Creative Industries, School of Modern Languages and Cultures, University of Hong Kong, and Dr. Hoi-Yan Yau, Senior Lecturer of Department of Cultural Studies at Lingnan University of Hong Kong

These seminars will occur live and will not be recorded. Unauthorized recording is strictly prohibited.

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Censorship in Japan

Abstract:

This paper explores censorship, particularly film and video censorship, in Japan in modern times. It shows how most censorship has been a case of film and video industry exercising self-censorship, but how this system has been problematic in that it has allowed dominant players in the industry to impose their own standards and exclude independent filmmakers. The paper outlines notable obscenity cases and discusses how industry self-censorship bodies have been undermined both by industry outsiders setting up their own alternative regimes, and by the industry self-censorship bodies themselves being prosecuted for obscenity. The paper also examines the conflict between the obscenity law - introduced in Meiji times when Japan was importing Western models - and the freedom of speech law, which was put in place by the American Occupation administration after the Second World War. The paper concludes by assessing the current state of censorship in Japan and likely future developments.

Speaker Information:

Heung-Wah (Dixon) Wong, Associate Professor of Global Creative Industries, School of Modern Languages and Cultures, The University of Hong Kong
Hoi-Yan Yau, Senior Lecturer of Department of Cultural Studies at Lingnan University of Hong Kong)

Additional Information:

Do you have a question you would like to ask the guest speaker? Please email questions at least three hours in advance to Dr Natalia Doan (natalia.doan at wadham.ox.ac.uk) or submit questions during the webinar using the Q&A feature.

The Nissan Seminars will be live-streamed only, with no recorded version or slides shared after the event, so please be sure to register and attend the live seminar to avoid disappointment. Thank you for your interest in the Nissan Seminar series.