Niconico Shunga Latest Japanese Retailer to Shutter Because of “Current Social Environment”

Niconico Shunga Latest Japanese Retailer to Shutter Because of “Current Social Environment”

It seems that Western credit card companies are again affecting Japanese businesses. This time around it’s about Niconico, which also has a “mature illustration service” called Niconico Shunga. (The title references shunga, a traditional type of Japanese erotica that usually would take the form of prints.)

Niconico Shunga is being shuttered on January 29, at 2 PM JST. All the illustrations on it will then be deleted. The R-15 categories (known for showing stuff with sexual content) will also be gone. Their Nico Nico Seiga will take down any images they deem explicit. Niconico said it is doing this because “the current social environment and international situation” make it hard to continue to offer these services. When sharing the news on its social media, it apologized for the abruptness of the announcement and said that it regretted to inform people of what was happening.

Late last year, Head of Product Asia Pacific at Visa Cietan Kitney publicly stated that Visa might refuse certain purchases, even if they’re legal, to “protect the brand.” He said that global and local policies are considered when deciding what customers can and can’t buy. Because credit card companies are private businesses, they are legally allowed to do this.

Mastercard is also known for not wanting to work with some Japanese businesses if the businesses sell adult materials.

Manga Library Z, Melonbooks and Toranoana, DLSite, Fantia, and Fanza are some of the Japanese businesses that have been affected by these Western credit card policies.

American Express wouldn’t work with DLSite, but is generally more willing to work with these businesses than Visa and Mastercard. Some of the Japanese businesses affected have promised to find ways around what the credit cards are doing, while others might change what they sell.

Niconico Shunga got its start in 2011.

Source: ANN

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Danica Davidson is the author of the bestselling Manga Art for Beginners with artist Melanie Westin, plus its sequel, Manga Art for Everyone, and the first-of-its-kind manga chalk book Chalk Art Manga, both illustrated by professional Japanese mangaka Rena Saiya. Check out her other comics and books at www.danicadavidson.com.