This Halloween season, if you live in Japan, you better not type in the word "candy" on Amazon Japan's website. Because on the top 10 most popular hits, you're going to be FLOORED at what comes up: photo books and DVDs of underage Western girl models---most of them under the age of 10 years old---posing in sexy underwear in provocative positions.
That's what happened to me when I sat down at my computer last week, to order Halloween candy, with my 6 year old daughter next to me. If you click it (as I did to get info to report the seller), a whole lot
more, with 5 star ratings, come up. It's just disgusting.
I filed a complaint with an Amazon customer representative October 6th 12:25PM on an online chat session.
As of today, it has not been removed and it has been a week.
FILE A COMPLAINT TO AMAZON JAPAN NOW HERE:
http://www.amazon.co.jp/gp/aw/contact-us/ref=csl_contactus
Hi Janica,
ReplyDeleteIs it necessary to be an Amazon account holder to make a complaint? It is not clear when following the link and using translate on the page.
Thanks.
Luke,
DeleteI will look into this. Anyone else reading this have other options to file a complaint? Links would be helpful.
Hi Janice
ReplyDeleteThis is Louise--we've met at the recording sessions for Benesse in Yoyogi several times. I'm researching a story for the Japan Times on this very topic right now, so please get in touch if you would be interested in contributing. Thanks!
Louise G Kittaka
LGKIttaka@aol.com
While we are shining the light on the issue, note Rakuten also sells the Candy DVD. You also know that porn is easily accessible at the conbini stores - Lawsons, 7-11 etc.- at kids eye-level, unsealed, just women. I check as I am curious, confused and aghast at the normalcy of this literature and portrayal of women in a convenience store. Share and be aware and speak out to protect our kids and society.
ReplyDeleteTokyoBlogger
DeleteThat is very good information to know. You are right about sharing and being aware of the issue. Hopefully, with the help of the community, these can be taken off the stands and our children be protected.
Congrats - it is no longer on Amazon.co.jp. Next - Rakuten.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
DeleteTokyoBlogger, I want to be in touch with you. How can I reach you? Could you send me your email and I will not publish it but send you a private message?
DeleteI'll be writing soon about this on my blog about child care leave in Japan. I'm also in contact with a couple of reporters. Hope they will be interested in uncovering more about this.
ReplyDeleteMatt
Matt,
DeleteI, along with all parents, the community, appreciate this, for the safety of our children.
I'm also disgusted with this but welcome to Japan. The yakuza run anything porn here so good luck with what you are trying to do.
ReplyDeleteI feel that the Japanese let way too young children take trains and walk alone. How easy they made it for all those children to be abducted to north Korea all those years ago. Child abuse is also ignored here. If you can get some media coverage, it may help with at least the porn. It's gross that we can buy diapers for our children and child pornography on the same site. Kimochiwarui!!
Jennifer, I could not agree more.
DeleteI filed my complaint with Amazon.co.jp tonight - don't give up - don't ever give up on this stuff. Child pornography and child trafficking are the same industry - Amazon.co.jp is assisting in funding (and ergo supporting) both if it sells pornographic material involving minors.
ReplyDeleteWe started a new page about childrens safety issues in Japan. Also intend to draw awareness to the child pornography problem here. Join us on facebook: http://www.facebook.com/childrenssafetyjapan
ReplyDeleteTsutaya also has DVDs... what kind of parents are taking their daughters to "model" for these things?! Is there any hope of locating these girls and having their situation investigated?
ReplyDeleteI was happy to go on Amazon.co.jp and NOT find the Candy Doll collection. I clicked the same link I had found yesterday that went to the child porn and it is gone. YEAH!! Good work everyone. However, it is available on Rakuten, similar to Amazon, so please keep up the pressure.
ReplyDeleteHi! We have posted about your article on our FB page, quite a few of us are very disgusted and dismayed by what Amazon has allowed to be sold there:
ReplyDeletehttps://www.facebook.com/KAInternationalMothersinJapan/posts/404532853028728
Unfortunately, if you search ジュニアアイドル, you'll see it's still there. I spoke to customer service today, but I think many many more people need to make a stink and be vigilant about it so they just don't change how you search for it and they actually remove it.
ReplyDeleteI notice that if you look on Amazon.com under "junior idol" you get the same DVD's of young girls in bathing suits at angles unsuitable for their age, but DVDs are "Currently unavailable. We don't know when or if this item will be back in stock." Continue making noise about this. I don't want my kids going on-line looking up "Idol" and coming up with these DVDs.
Delete