Shukan Young Magazine, a weekly comic book magazine published by Kodansha, is delaying the release of its newest issue due to a controversial photo of Tomomi Kasai, a member of idol supergroup AKB48, which editors have considered “inappropriate”.
The photo shows the 21 year old Kasai in a te-bura (or hand bra) pose, with a young, blond boy covering her breasts. This was supposed to be a promotion for her debut photo collection called Tomo no koto, suki? (“Do you like Tomo?”), scheduled for release on February 4. News site Nikkan Cyzo says that sports newspapers who ran the same ad received complaints from readers. Some netizens have also expressed disgust over the photo, with concerns that it is a form of child abuse or child pornography.
The magazine’s editors decided to pull the photo because it “contains an inappropriate expression” and is also “socially unacceptable as it would give unpleasant feelings to its readers.” The magazine usually features gravure (pin-up) idols wearing bathing suits on its cover, but this particular photo might be considered too “hard core” for its audience. The issue was supposed to come out on January 12 but the website says it will provide an update as to the publication date of its next issue.
[ via Tokyo Reporter ]