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Japanese games group to ban twisted 'sex torture' sims

About time

One of Japan's two software rating organisations will no longer support the sale of sick rape games in the country.

The decision follows protests from civil rights campaigners in the US who have been demanding titles like RapePlay be made illegal in Japan. In February, they successfully persuaded Amazon's Japanese operation to stop selling the so-called game.

RapeLay allows depraved players to stalk and sexually assault young women - and score points for doing so.

It's not the only product of its kind, and Japan's Ethics Organisation of Computer Software (EoCS) this week said it would ban all "sexual torture software", part of a plan to control content that "deviates extremely from social norms", newsagency Associated Press reports, citing an organisation spokesman.

RapeLay developer Illusion maintains its twisted offering is legal under Japanese law.

Unlike the UK's British Board of Film Classification (BBFC), which vets games before they can be sold in Britain, the Japanese organisation's ratings are not legally enforceable. However, most retailers abide by its judgements, and will not offer uncertified titles.

EoCS primarily focuses on PC sofware. Its counterpart, the Computer Entertainment Rating Organisation, rates console titles. ®

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