Eirin approves PG-12

[Ono Seiko and Aaron Gerow]

Yesterday, Eirin officially approved its new ratings system.  It is now 
as follows:

R-18 (under 18 prohibited--changed from "adult film" in order to stress 
new standards other than sex, such as violence, etc.)

R-15 (under 15 prohibited--changed from just "R")

PG-12 (parental guidance recommended for children under 12)

General audience

Beyond renaming some of its old levels, Eirin added the new level "PG-12" 
in order to control the viewing of violent or shocking films by minors 
which under the old system would only have been rated general audience.  
Note however, the warning that will be posted on theaters and posters is 
as follows: "If possible a guardian should please accompany (those under 
12)."

In Japanese:
????????????????
Narubeku hogosha ga dohanshite kudasai.

In other words, the new rating in no way prohibits kids under 12 from 
entering the theater on their own if they want to.  It only advises 
parents that "parental guidance" is advisable for such movies and that 
they should accompany their kids to such movies if possible.  It is a 
form of parental education about certain films, not a new standard for 
regulating entry into the theater.  Still, it is the first time Eirin is 
incorporating parental supervision of child film viewing (a central facet 
of prewar film censorship discourse) into its standards.

Aaron Gerow
Yokohama National University
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