The video game industry on Wednesday implemented a nationwide ban on sales to children under 18 of software that includes content designated to be violent. Games will bear a sticker that says "18 and up," will be displayed separately from other game software and will require proof of age upon purchase. Last year, municipalities began implementing their own standards and restricting sales of the games to minors, taking into consideration a causal relationship between violent games and juvenile crime. But it took a long time to determine what was "harmful" and each locality set different rules.Because of this, the Tokyo government approached the software industry, asking them to implement rules regarding the sale of such games to minors. The industry has banned the sale to minors of software that includes any of the 14 items designated as harmful, including indiscriminate murder and the severing of human limbs. Among the restricted games is "Grand Theft Auto III," which has been designated by seven prefectures as harmful.
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Jun. 1, 2006) |