Japanese Woman Arrested for Selling 3D Printable Files of Her GenitalsTokyo Metropolitan Police announced that they have arrested a 42-year-old woman named Megumi Igarashi (aka Rokudenashi-ko) on suspicion of selling and distributing 3D printable design files of her own genitals. These files are said to have been sent via email to a 30-year-old man in Kagawa Prefecture, as well as many others, back in March.
According to reports, Igarashi has been selling her 3D design files to raise money to construct a boat that looks like a vagina. Since she began distribution of her art in October, she has raised ¥1 million (approximately $9,845).
This is the second time this week I've seen or heard the words "pussy" and "pop" in close proximity, and I gag a little every time.
That makes me sad all over.
Not yours.
Can't have too much of this sort of thing.
Rule 34. No, not that one. I mean the Stross novel.
Wait, why is it illegal?
Because Japanese law considers emailing a picture of your genitals to members of the public to be "publication", and if the publication is "obscene" then it is illegal according to the Japanese Penal Code.
There is no objective definition of "obscene" and it depends on how the court interprets it. This has been going on since 1907 and there's a whole pile of previous judgements to fall back on, but the courts still like to invent new reasons for things being obscene/not obscene. It's a mess.
Read Obscenity In Japan: Moral Guidance Without Legal Guidance (PDF) if you'd like to know more.
It would be some kind of artistic statement to make a 3D-printed mosaic-blurred vagina.