We must fight against a tendency of looking at children as sexual objects, and allowing them to be taken advantage of, sexually and commercially.

Good. While you're at it, disband AKB48.

@Thehedonist - couldnt agree more! It would be impossible given the size of this industry and its obsession with girls in school uniforms here in Japan.

Good sentiments but an uphill battle.

Yeah, this is the elephant in the room, isn't it; paedophilia IS more accepted as the norm in eastern Asia, no matter how you dress it up. Japan is a haven for it, and it is part and parcel of the entire culture here; you can see it even affects the way young girls behave - as soon as they start to become sexually aware, around 13-14 years of age, they all start putting on squeaky pre-pubescent style voices and acting ultra-meek, because that is what the society tells them is attractive to men, and society is not wrong. This is not going to change any time soon, but what does need to change is this passing it off as 'cultural'; can't we just admit the fact that this is a bad point of east Asian culture and call it what it is?

BTW, the shops in Akihabara that sell all sorts of pervy mags (e.g. 6 year olds in bikinis and some older kids a lot more provocatively posed and "dressed") are still open for busines.

Then I suggest the government doesn't promote a girl band, average age 14, that dresses in lingerie and indulges in lesbian eroticism in a video, through its official "Cool Japan" campaign.

Yep, talking about AKB48 in "Heavy Rotation."