The Liberal Democratic Party is preparing a bill designed to deal with "social conditions detrimental to the sound development of juveniles" -- conditions that induce or encourage sex and violence on the part of children. Although there is no question about the need to promote the healthy development of children, the draft as it stands is flawed in many respects.

The main drawback is that the intended legislation could open the way for undue media regulation by authorities. According to the draft, self-regulating industry associations would be set up to impose voluntary restraints on businesses that provide "hazardous goods or services." Moreover, those businesses and/or associations would receive advice, guidance or recommendations from the competent minister or prefectural governors. Those that did not comply would be penalized by having their names published.

At the moment it looks uncertain whether the bill will be introduced in the current Diet session. There is, indeed, no sufficient reason to support the measure in its present form, particularly given the danger of excessive official intervention in the media. The LDP should reconsider it.