Osaka Police Sweeps 70 Stores for "Harmful" Shōjo Mags

The Police Department and Board of Education of Osaka conducted a June 8 sweep of 26 bookstores and 44 convenience stores in the area for "harmful" shōjo manga magazines—specifically, those whose covers provide little indication of the "sexual depictions" inside. The local ordinance prohibits the sale of books that "stimulate considerable sexual emotions in youths" to buyers under 18 years old. Since April of 2006, the government has identified 81 shōjo manga magazines in the category of "harmful publications." Source: Asahi Shimbun