Visa Defends Blocking Payments for Legal Adult Content in Japan to Protect Its Brand

Since last year, international credit card companies and payment processors have increasingly targeted major Japanese content platforms, demanding the removal or censorship of adult content and unilaterally terminating payment options.

Notable cases include the doujinshi manga chain Melonbooks, which can no longer accept payments via Visa or Mastercard, and the now-defunct Manga Library Z, which shut down after losing nearly all payment options.

These actions have sparked widespread criticism in Japan and globally, especially since platforms focused on self-published works and fanart seem to be disproportionately affected. Even prominent figures like NieR: Automata creator Yoko Taro have expressed concern, calling the influence of international payment processors on Japanese content platforms “dangerous” for how it undermines free expression.

Visa Defends Blocking Payments for Legal Adult Content in Japan to Protect Its Brand

Recently, during a briefing held by Visa Worldwide Japan Co. to discuss local expansion strategies (reported by Impress Watch), CEO Cietan Kitney addressed the issue of Visa becoming unavailable on platforms offering legal adult content in Japan.

Kitney stated that while Visa’s policy aims to support legal and legitimate purchases whenever possible, “it is sometimes necessary to deny use to protect the brand.” He emphasized that these are “complex decisions involving both global and local policies” and reaffirmed the company’s commitment to maintaining sincerity and integrity. However, no specifics were provided about the global or local policies guiding Visa’s stance.

via Você Sabia Anime