Eirin

, Japan's movie regulator. Eirin was established on the model of the American Motion Picture Producers and Distributors of America's Production Code Administration in June, 1949, on the instructions of the US occupation force. The original name, "Eiga Rinri Kitei Kanri Iinkai" (Motion Picture Code of Ethics Committee), was condensed after independence, during reorganizations in 1956, to Eirin Kanri Iinkai, but was already colloquially known as Eirin.

Eirin is analogous to the Motion Picture Association of America in the United States, and the British Board of Film Classification in the United Kingdom; it classifies films depending on their suitability for minors, depending on whether they contain sexual or violent material. Such classification has been described as censorship by some, since a film that is denied certification by Eirin is effectively unreleaseable. In practice, films are nonetheless released, with "offending items" fogged or digitally tiled. This is the source of some bemusement in Japan, which has traditionally been liberal in this area.

Just as with equivalent organisations in other countries, Eirin's defenders argue that its independence shields film makers from the more draconian alternative, political censorship by government. In the case of the controversial film "Battle Royale", director Kinji Fukasaku seemed to accept this view, when he withdrew an objection to Eirin's R-15 rating of his film, to support Eirin against threats from politicians over the film.

Eirin has in the past denied the release of certain films to theaters entirely, such as Fujiwara Kei's grotesque horror film "Organ", which was released directly to video amidst protests from family watchdog groups.

During the opening credits(or in some cases, on the copyright screen immediately following the ending credits) of an Eirin-approved film, the Eirin logo is displayed prominently underneath the movie's title.

Ratings

On May 1, 1998 [http://www.eirin.jp/english/008.html] four rating categories were introduced:

Unrestricted

* G : General Audiences. All ages admitted. Films such as most "Pokémon" films, "The Dark Crystal", "The Castle of Cagliostro", "The Plot of the Fuma Clan", and most films by Studio Ghibli are rated G.
* PG-12 : Parental Guidance Requested. Some material may be unsuitable for children under 12. Accompanying parent or adult guardian is desirable. "Gedo Senki", "Princess Mononoke", most "Lupin III" films, ', "Pokémon Ranger and the Temple of the Sea", (odd example) "28 Days Later", ', and the Lord of the Rings film trilogy are rated PG-12.

Restricted

* R-15 : Restricted to mature audiences 15 years and over. No one younger than 15 admitted. ', "Battle Royale", "300", "Saw", "Saw II", and ' are rated R-15. Also "" and "SHUFFLE!" were given R-15 on TV airings.
* R-18 : Restricted to adults 18 years and over. No one younger than 18 admitted. "" and "The End of Evangelion" are rated R-18.

See also

* Computer Entertainment Rating Organization – The Japanese rating system for video games
* Motion picture rating system

External links

* [http://www.eirin.jp/ Eirin's homepage (Japanese & English)]
*http://www.midnighteye.com/interviews/kinji_fukasaku.shtml