Fans of the manga "Act-Age," as well as fans of human decency in general, were shocked last summer when the comic’s writer, Tatsuya Matsumoto (also known by his pen name, Tatsuya Matsuki) was arrested for groping a 14-year-old schoolgirl as he rode past her on the streets of Tokyo’s Nakano neighborhood. Following his arrest, Matsumoto admitted to the charges, but it wasn’t until this Tuesday that his trial opened in Tokyo district court.
In the courtroom Matsumoto once again admitted to having groped the girl, and when asked to explain his thought process leading up to the incident, replied with: “I was feeling worried and uneasy about many things, but didn’t express that to anyone, and had fallen into despair. I also have mental complexes regarding women, and so forced myself onto a stranger.
“My actions toward the victim are something for which there is no sufficient apology,” Matsumoto added.
However, a request from his defense lawyer shows a less than complete willingness to subject himself to the full force of the law. The prosecutors are seeking a sentence of one-and-a-half years in prison for Matsumoto, but his lawyer is asking that the sentence be suspended (i.e. that Matsumoto serve no jail time as long as he abides by the terms of probation). In explaining why he feels Matsumoto should not be required to spend any time in prison, his lawyer said: “Tatsuya Matsumoto has received societal punishment, such as the cancellation of his manga’s serialization.”
It is true that manga publisher Shueisha cancelled "Act-Age," which ran in its Weekly Shonen Jump anthology magazine, and the decision came swiftly, with Shueisha announcing the decision just two days after Matsumoto’s arrest. However, whether that should be considered a form of “societal punishment” against Matsumoto is debatable, especially since the loss of the manga also has a negative financial effect on Shueisha and "Act-Age" artist Shiro Usazaki, who had no involvement in the crime.
Matsumoto’s sentence is scheduled to be handed down on Dec 23.
Source: NHK News Web
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7 Comments
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Btang
"Fans of the manga "Act-Age," comic’s writer, Tatsuya Matsumoto (also known by his pen name, Tatsuya Matsuki) was arrested for groping a 14-year-old schoolgirl.
I guess he could not act his age.
GrungeHamster
Yeah I’m going to call bull. That’s not a punishment to him. It hurts many others.
Put that perv away and find a new creative director for the series.
Mickelicious
Pathetic.
Act your Age.
Do your time.
Sven Asai
With such a majority of manga lovers in audience and jury it goes easily through as ‘urgent search for further artistic inspiration’ or such.
Sal Affist
First offenders who have a stable position in society often receive suspended sentences. The most important consideration will be whether he made a settlement with the girl's family that "satisfies" them; his defense counsel would produce that as part of the evidence offered in advance of the sentence determination. If the victim (through her family) is satisfied, Japanese judges do not see why society needs to exact any extra punishment.
lostrune2
T'was research