Ten Major Manga Publishers to Boycott Tokyo International Anime Fair

Asides from Kadokawa Shoten (Shonen Ace) who announced earlier that they would boycott the Tokyo International Fair 2011 (TAF 2011) due to the revised Manga and Anime Regulation Bill. Adding to the list of publishers that will boycott the said festival are nine groups! Yep, you heard that right, nine groups!

The publishers that will boycott the said fair are the following:
- Shueisha (Shonen Jump)
- Kodansha (Shonen Magazine)
- Shogakukan (Shonen Sunday)
- Akita Shoten (Shonen Champion)
- Shonen Gahosha (Young King Ours)
- Hakusensha (Hana to Yume, Young Animal)
- Futabasha (Manga Town)
- Shinchosha (Comic Bunch)
- LEED Publishing Co. Ltd. (Comic Ran)

Shueisha’s own Ota Tamio actually sent a letter (besides the list) to the other publishers of Comic 10 Union (the name of the group of publishers who will boycott TAF) to leave TAF. While Shueisha is not an exhibitor at TAF, the company wants anime production companies that have materials based on Shueisha materials to withdraw from TAF. 

Bleach manga artist, Tite Kubo also supports the boycott by the Comic 10 Union and even shares this sentiment in his Twitter account.

On a press conference, Tokyo Governor Shintaro Ishihara, the one responsible in proposing Bill 156, stated that, "I don't care. Do boycott as you like."

The vote on the Anime and Manga Regulation Bill (Bill 156) will be held on December 15. Whether the bill will pass the assembly depends on the decision of the ruling party, Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ). It was reported earlier that DPJ decided to approve the bill, but Kurishita Zenko, one of DPJ's assemblymen, revealed that half of DPJ assemblymen are still opposing to the bill.

Source: Jiji Press, Cyzo Daily via Tokyohive, MyAnimeList special thanks to xxx_holic/wing for the tip!

I did a quick background check on the one who passed the bill, it seems basing on his year of birth, he is one of the close-minded ones who can't accept the changing times. Since half of the dominating party is still opposing the bill, there is still hope for the anime and manga industry. Now, I am hoping that Gangan will join the alliance.