News
Young Magazine Issue Delayed Due to 'Inappropriate' Depiction (Updated)
posted on by Crystalyn Hodgkins
The Japanese publisher Kodansha announced on Thursday that it is delaying this year's seventh issue of Young Magazine due to an "inappropriate" depiction in the magazine of an ad for AKB48 idol Tomomi Kasai's upcoming photo collection. The magazine's editorial department apologized for the delay and noted that when the new release date is decided, the staff will announce it on the magazine's homepage. The issue was originally slated to ship on January 12.
Kasai announced at the end of 2012 that she will graduate from the all-female idol group AKB48. Kodansha is slated to release her first solo photo collection, titled "Tomo no Koto, Suki?," on February 4. The book's front cover will feature Kasai nude from the waist up with a child standing behind her and reaching around her. The NSFW image can be viewed to the right.
The photo collection will also feature images of Kasai in lingerie, in a bathing suit, and in various other situations such as cooking and playing with a pet dog. Kasai released her first solo debut single "Masaka" on December 26.
[Via My Game News Flash, Music Natalie (Note: Both links contain the same NSFW image.) ]
Update: Kasai announced her planned graduation, but the date has not been set yet. Thanks, Dan.
Update 2: Dan Kanemitsu notes that the cover image of the photo collection can be considered child pornography under the legal definition in Japan.
this article has been modified since it was originally posted; see change history